Ellai Amman Temple / எல்லை அம்மன் கோயில்/ Shiva Temple, Kil Ayanambakkam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Ellai Amman Temple and a Shiva Temple at Kil Ayanambakkam was a part of “Gajabrushta Vimana Temples Visit”, in the Ayanambakkam area on 2^nd November 2025. This Shiva sannidhi is part of an Ellai Amman Temple at Kil Ayanambakkam.

Moolavar: Shri Shiva

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

This Shiva sannidhis faces east with stucco dwarapalakas. Stucco images of Shiva and Parvati are on the lalada nasi of the Gajabrushta Vimanam. Moolavar is on a round avudayar.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple was built like a Parivara sannidhi of the Ellai Amman temple. The complete temple was built with bricks and concrete. The temple consists of only a sanctum sanctorum, built in eka tala Gajabrushta Vimanam. There is no koshtas.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

It is said that the present temple was built in recent years, for a Shiva Lingam existed on the same spot.

LEGENDS

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from oru kala poojas, special poojas are conducted on Maha Shivaratri Days.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

Since oru kala pooja is conducted, opening and closing times are unpredictable.

CONTACT DETAILS

The Poojari Siva Suresh may be contacted on his mobile number +919360663454 for poojas and further details.

HOW TO REACH

The temple is on the Kil Ayanambakkam, Vanagaram – Ambattur road. 2 km from Etteeswarar Temple, Mel Ayanampakkam, 5.6 km from Maduravoyal flyover, and 10 km from Koyambedu Bus Terminus.

LOCATION OF THE TEM

PLE: CLICK HERE

ELLAI AMMAN TEMPLE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Sri Ayanapureeswarar Temple/ Arulmigu Ayanapureeswarar Thirukovil/ ஸ்ரீ அயனபுரீஸ்வரர் கோயில், Vellalar St, Mel Ayanambakkam, Kil Ayanambakkam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Ayanapureeswarar Temple at Kil Ayanambakkam was a part of “Gajabrushta Vimana Temples Visit”, in the Ayanambakkam area on 2^nd November 2025.

Moolavar  : Sri Ayanapureeswarar

Consort    : Sri Vidhyambigai

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple faces east with a 3-tier Rajagopuram. Balipeedam and Rishabam are in front of the sanctum sanctorum. Moolavar is on a round avudayar. In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, Brahama, and Durgai.

In the praharam, Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Chandikeswarar, Navagrahas, Bairavar, Nalvar, etc.

Ambal is in a separate sannidhi facing south. Ambal is in a standing posture with abhaya varada hastam.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of the sanctum sanctorum, the ardha mandapam, and a maha mandapam. The temple was built in the Gajabrushta Vimanam style. The sanctum sanctorum is on a pada bandha adhistanam with jagathy, three patta kumudam, and pattikai. The bhitti starts with vedikai. The temple was constructed with stone from adhistanam to prastaram. The two-tier brick Gaja brushta vimanam is on the bhumi desam. Shiva, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, and Brahma are on the tala and greeva koshtams. Stucco images of Shiva and Amman’s various forms are on the mandapam parapet wall. 

 old temple 

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The new temple is under construction. The Shiva Lingam and Ambal are under worship in a shed. The age of the Shiva Lingam is not known and is believed to belong to the Pallava period. Considering the Thirumullaivayil Shiva temple as a model, the new temple is being constructed as the Gajabrushta Vimana Temple.

LEGENDS

It is believed that this is one of the eight temples built around the Sri Etteeswarar Temple of Ayanambakkam.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from oru kala poojas, special poojas are conducted on Pradosham, Maha Shivaratri Days, etc.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

Since oru kala pooja is conducted, opening and closing times are unpredictable.

CONTACT DETAILS

Mr A C Deivasigamani may be contacted on his mobile numbers +919381199666 and +919445843636 for further details.

HOW TO REACH

The temple is about 750 meters from Vanagaram – Ambattur Road. 

The temple is 5.0 km from Thiruverkadu Karumariamman Temple, 6.0 km from Thiruverkadu Sri Vedapureeswarar temple, and 9 km from Koyambedu Bus Terminus.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

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Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple /அருள்மிகு ஶ்ரீ மீனாட்சி சுந்தரேஸ்வரர் திருக்கோயில், Poonniamman Nagar, Yadaval St, Agraharam, Kil Ayanambakkam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple at Kil Ayanambakkam was a part of “Gajabrushta Vimana Temples Visit”, in the Ayanambakkam area on 2^nd November 2025.

Moolavar  : Sri Sundareswarar

Consort    : Sri Meenakshi

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple faces east with a balipeedam and Rishabam in front of the sanctum sanctorum. Moolavar is on a round avudayar. In the koshtam, Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, and Brahma. In the praharam, Vinayagar, Ambal, and Nagars.

Ambal is in a separate sannidhi facing south. Ambal is in a standing posture with abhaya varada hastam.

ARCHITECTURE

The reconstruction of the temple is in progress. The whole temple is being constructed with brick and concrete. The temple consists of the sanctum sanctorum, the ardha mandapam, and an open mukha mandapam. The temple is being constructed with a three-tier Gaja brushta vimanam. Stucco images of Shiva, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, and Brahma are on the tala and greeva koshtams.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The Shiva Lingam and Ambal are under worship in a shed. The age of the Shiva Lingam is not known, and believed to belong to the Pallava period. Hence, the new temple is being built as a Gaja brushta vimanam temple.

LEGENDS

It is believed that this is one of the eight temples built around the Sri Etteeswarar Temple of Ayanambakkam.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from oru kala poojas, special poojas are conducted on Pradosham and Maha Shivaratri Days.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

Since oru kala pooja is conducted, opening and closing times are unpredictable.

CONTACT DETAILS

Mr Narendran may be contacted on his mobile number +919952986768 for further details.

HOW TO REACH

The temple is about a km from Vanagaram – Ambattur Road. 

Th temple is 4.5 km from Thiruverkadu Karumariamman Temple, 5.2 km from Thiruverkadu Sri Vedapureeswarar temple, and 9 km from Koyambedu Bus Terminus.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Thiruvaleeswarar Temple /திருவாலீஸ்வரர் கோவில், Chakkaramallur, Ranipet District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Thiruvaleeswarar Temple was a part of “Gajaprishta Vimana Temples Visit”, on the banks of the Palar River. The temple is right on the banks of the Palar River at Chakkaramallur, also called “Chakkara Amuthoor”.

Moolavar  : Sri Thiruvaleeswarar

Consort    : Sri Thirumalai Nayagi

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple faces east with an entrance in front of Shiva’s sannidhi. A stucco image of Shiva and Parvati as Rishabarooder is on the top of the entrance. Balipeedam and Rishabam are in front of the temple. Vinayagar and Murugan are on both sides of the sanctum sanctorum. Moolavar is on a round avudaiyar. In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, Brahma, and Durgai.

In praharam Nagars, Chandikeswarar, Ayyappan, Bairavar, and Navagrahas.

Ambal is in a separate sannidhi facing south. Ambal is in a standing posture with abhaya varada hastam. 

ARCHITECTURE

The temple, one of the Gajaprishta vimana (sigaram alone), was reconstructed in recent years. The temple was built with stone from adhistanam to prastaram. The temple consists of the sanctum sanctorum and ardha mandapam. The temple was constructed with adhistanam, bhitti, prastaram, one tala vimanam, greevam, and Gajaprishta sigaram. Stucco images of Shiva, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, and Brahma are in the greeva koshtams, and no images are on the tala koshtams.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

Based on the strategic location (on the banks of the Palar River) and the Gajaprishta style of construction, it is believed that the original temple belongs to the 8^th to 9^th century Pallava period. 

It is believed that this temple was reconstructed/constructed as a stone temple by Kalaingarayan, one of the Chieftains, who participated in the Chozha king Kulothunga's victorious wars.   

The same was reconstructed in recent years.

LEGENDS

It is believed that Shiva of this temple was worshipped by the Siddhars. Maharishi Bharadwaj worshipped Shiva of this temple on the way to Puduppadi, where he established a Shiva Lingam, one of the Shadaranya Kshetram.

This place is also called Chakkara Amuthoor. This name has a connection with Maha Vishnu's Chakra, which landed at this place. 

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from orukala poojas, special poojas are conducted on Maha Shivaratri days.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

Since oru kala pooja is conducted, the opening and closing times are unpredictable.

CONTACT DETAILS

The Gurukkal Mahesh +918056422561 and Meikavalar Umapathy +918870414723 may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH

The temple is on the State Highway from Arcot to Kalavai, Cheyyar, and Vandavasi.

The temple is about 13 km from Arcot bus stand, 21 km from Walajah Road Junction, 29 km from Ranipet, 40 km from Vellore, 42 km from Arani, 43 km from Sholinghur, and 36 km from Kanchipuram.

The nearest Railway Station is Walajah Road Junction.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Bharadwajeswarar Temple / ஸ்ரீபரத்வாஜேஸ்வரர் கோவில், புதுப்பாடி/ Puthupadi/ Puduppadi, Ranipet District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Bharadwajeswarar Temple was a part of “Gajaprishta Vimana Temples Visit”, on the banks of the Palar River. This is one of the Shadaranya Kshetram, in and around Arcot.

The second visit to this Sri Bharadwajeswarar Temple was part of the “Sadaranya Kshetram Visit” around Arcot on January 11, 2026, organised by Rameswaram Travel Agency

This Sri Bharadwajeswarar Temple at Pudupadi is one of the Shadaranya Kshetras around Ranipet. During the Puranic period, this place was associated with Soothavanam – Mango Trees. The Shiva of this temple was installed and worshipped by Bharadwaj Maharishi.

Sl No	Temple	Manivar	Place	Aranyam
1	Sri Vasishteswara Swamy Temple	Vasishta Maharishi	Veppur	Nimbavanam – Neem Trees
2	Sri Valmikiswarar Temple	Valmiki Maharishi	Melvisharam	Vishavrukshavanam-Ettimaram
3	Sri Gauthameswarar Temple	Gautama Maharishi	Karai	Kaarai  Vanam – Kaarai trees
4	Sri Agastheeswarar Temple	Agasthiya Maharishi	Vannivedu	Sameevanam – Vanni Trees
5	Sri Thiruvantheeswarar Temple	Atri Maharishi	Gudimallur	Gudamallikavanam – Koda malli
6	Sri Barathwajeswarar Temple	Barathwaja Maharishi	Pudupadi	Soothavanam – Mango Trees
7	Sri Kashyabeswarar Temple	Kashyaba Maharishi	Avarakarai (Navlock)	Karai Flowers

Moolavar  : Sri Bhradwaj Eswarar

Consort    : Sri Dharmasmvardhini, Sri Aramvalartha Nayagi.

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple faces east with Nagar and Rishabam. The entrance arch is like a mini gopuram with stucco images of Shiva and Parvati as Rishabarooder, Nandi, Kannappar, and Bharatwaj Maharishi. Moolavar is of Swayambhu on a round avudaiyar. Rishabam, A pada, Bharatwaj Maharishi, Rishabam, and Bairavar are in the ardha mandapam. In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, Brahma, and Durgai.

Ambal Dharsamvardhini /Aram Valartha Nayagi is in a separate sannidhi facing south. Natarajar is on the top of the mandapam, above the entrance to the Ardha mandapam.

In the praharam, Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Nagars, Chandikeswarar, and some loose sculptures of Navagrahas and Maha Vishnu. 

Suryan

ARCHITECTURE

The temple was built in the Gajaprishta style from adhistanam to sigaram. The temple consists of the sanctum sanctorum, antarala, and ardha mandapam. The temple was constructed with stone from adhistanam to prastaram. The adhistanam consists of jagathy, three patta kumudam, and pattikai. The bhitti is plain without pilasters. The prastaram consists of valapi, kapotam, and vyyalavari. A two-tier brick vimanam is on the prastaram. Stucco images of Shiva, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, and Brahma are on the tala and greeva koshtams. In addition to koshtams, various Hindu deities are on the talas.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

A 10^th to 11^th Chozha period inscription is found on the jagathy. Since the temple was reconstructed, a fragment inscription is found only on the adhistanam jagathy. Based on the style of construction and the Chandikeswarar, the original temple may belong to the Pallava period; the latter Chozhas extended their contributions. The temple might have been reconstructed in recent years.

LEGENDS

As per the legend, Ma Kamakshi playfully closed the eyes of Shiva. The universe has come to a standstill. Angered, Shiva cursed Ma Kamakshi to go to the earth. Ma Kamakshi did penance for Shri Shiva. Pleased by the penance, Shiva married at Kanchipuram. To witness the celestial wedding, Maha Vishnu, Brahma, the celestial gods, and all the Rishis and Munis assembled at Kanchipuram. The 6 Maharishis (“ஷட் (Saṭ / षट्)”- Six) (Many claim that Seven Maharishis worshipped, hence 7 temples are grouped on Shadaranya Kshetram), stayed in 6 forest areas on the banks of the River Palar, established Swayambhu Shiva Lingas and worshipped. The Shiva Lingas are called in the name of the Maharishis, who established the Shiva Lingas. Hence, all seven temples are called Shadaranya Kshetras. 

Bharatwaj Maharishi and a Pada

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular oru kala poojas, special poojas are conducted on pradosham and Maha Shivaratri days.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

Since the oru kala pooja is conducted, the opening and closing times are unpredictable. Hence, the devotees are advised to contact the Gurukkal for darshan in advance.

CONTACT DETAILS

The Gurukkal’s mobile number, +919786133957, and the Arangavalar Mr Balasundaram, +919791279923, may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH

The temple is on the State Highway from Arcot to Kalavai, Cheyyar, and Vandavasi.

The temple is about 6.3 km from Arcot bus stand, 14 km from Walajah Road Junction, 23 km from Ranipet, 33 km from Vellore, 35 km from Arani, 36 km from Sholinghur, and 47 km from Kanchipuram.

The nearest Railway Station is Walajah Road Junction.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

 Maha Vishnu.

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---