Arulmigu Karaneeswarar Temple, Karaneecharam, West Saidapet, on the banks of river Adyar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

 06^th November 2016

Still I remember my last visit to this temple on the Tsunami day in 2004, when I was staying at Jafferkhanpet. After a gap of 12 years visited the temple on 6^th November 2016.  Lot of things has changed inside the temple prakaram and sub sannadhis are also added.

Moolavar    : Sri Karaneeswarar

Consort      : Sri Swarnambigai

Some of the important features are..

The temple is facing east with 7 tier Rajagopuram on the south side. The dwajasthambam, balipeedam and Rishaba mandapam are in the outer prakaram on the east side sanctum entrance. In koshtam Ganapathy, Dakshinamurthy,  Vishnu in place of lingothbavar, Brahma and Durgai. Ambal Swarnambigai sannadhi is in the maha mandapam facing south.

In the outer prakaram sannadhis for Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Sri Tripura Sundari samedha Sri Vedagiriswarar, Saneeswarar, Palani Andavar, Anjaneyar and Agora Veerabhadra.

In the inner prakaram 63var, Urchavars and 63var seppu thirumenikal,  Natarajar Saba and Bhairavar.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam and a maha mandapam. A Two tala stucco Vimana is on the sanctum sanctorum. Sudhai or the stucco images of Kayilai view with Shiva’s family, Thiruvannamalai, Thiruvanaikaval, Chidambaram and Thiru Kalathi are on the back side wall of the sanctum in the outer prakaram.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

Even though it was claimed that temple is very old and no concrete evidence was found, except two inscription dated 1887 and 1919 CE. The inscriptions speaks about the donation for conducting regular poojas and functions.

The temple is under the control of Tamil Nadu HR & CE Board. The mudaliyar community had done lot to this temple and they controlled the temple before HR& CE took over.

The 18th March, 1887 year inscription records the gift of a bungalow situated at Nos 6, Parangimalai - Mount Road east side, from 15th March 1886, to this temple (  through registration ), by Arunuga Mudaliar's son Subraya Mudaliar of Sengunthar Community. The rent income from the property after maintenance has to be used to meet the Brahmotsavam and Arudra Darshan expenses. Also burning of ghee lamps at Selva Vinayagar, Gnana Vinayagar, Subramaniar and Ramaswamy temples. ( The same is recorded in Chennai Managara Kalvettukal )

Another 1919 year inscription, two houses were gifted to this temple by P. Andiyappa(M)'s wife Ammayi  Ammal in the year 1912. Since the income from one house was not regular in 1918, She had sold one house to Rs 400, and took it pledged in the name of the temple. The income  after the maintenance has to be utilized for the morning one kala pooja.

  

LEGENDS: 

As per the legend,the temple history goes like this… Indira gave Kamadhenu to Vashista  for his yagam. The Kamadhenu was not returned even after long time and understood that Kamadhenu was cursed to become an ordinary cow, because it obstructed the poojas and Homam. So as per his Gana’s advise he constructed a temple for Lord Shiva  between Thirumayilai and Thiuvanmiyur on the banks of river Adyar and prayed. He also ordered Clouds ( Kar ) to rain  in this place to become green with trees. Lord Shiva gave back Kamadhenu and granted the status of Gopathi. The pond created is called Gopathi saras.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple is kept open between 06.00 Hrs to 12.00 Hrs and 16.00 Hrs to 21.00 Hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS :

The temple web site : CLICK HERE

Telephone numbers are 044 23811668 and 23811665

HOW TO REACH :

A walkable distance from Saidapet sub-urban railway station.

Nearest bus stop is Saidapet Bus terminus and the temple is about 1.5 KM and lot of autos are available.

LOCATION :CLICK HERE

 Pattinathar

 Pathragiriyar 

 --- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Srimath Kulasekara Alwar Sabha, Sri Karkada Vinayagar Temple and Sri 1008 Bhagwan Mahavir Jinalaya.VIR JINALAYA, Saidapet West, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

  06^th November 2016

In the way to Sri Karaneeswarar temple and Sri Prasanna Venkata Narasimha Perumal temples, I crossed some of the interesting places on the banks of river Adyar, which has its own history.

SRIMATH KULASEKARA ALWAR SABHA, SAIDAPET WEST.

This is just 2 shops after the Dharmaraja Koil on the Dharmaraja Koil Street in East Saidapet. This saba was established during 1904  for conducting bhajans. Now one Mr Gopi, the third generation devotee is looking after the saba.

The Burst size Sri Venkatesa Perumal statue is installed at the center and regular poojas are conducted daily.

HOW TO REACH:

About a KM from Saidapet bus terminus and the temple is on the Dharmaraja Koil Street.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE  

SRI KARKADA VINAYAGAR TEMPLE, SAIDAPET WEST.

This temple is on the back side of Sri Prasanna Venkata Narasimha perumal temple. How this Vinayagar got this name, I do not know and the archakar also was not there to throw some light on this temple.

The sub sannadhis in this temple are Sri Iyappan, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniyar and Navagrahas. In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Hyakirthi, Brahma and Durgai. The The sannadhi was built like a separate temple with Sanctum and mandapam.

HOW TO REACH:

The temple is very near to the west Saidapet bus terminus and Bus 18K is available from Broadway. 

LOCATION:CLICK HERE 

 Sri Hayakeerthi in place of Lingothbavar

SRI 1008 BHAGWAN MAHAVIR JAIN TEMPLE, SAIDAPET WEST.

This one of the Jain temple installed in a house. Sri Padmavathi amma is in the Ground floor and Sri Adinath  Sri Mahavir and Sri Bahubali are in first floor. The temple was constructed with the contributions from Jain’s community.

It was interesting to note in one of the inscription it was mentioned as Sramanapuram ( ஸ்ரமணபுரம்) for Saidapet. It is told that many Jain monks and SamaNars /தமிழ் சமணர்/ lived in this area, during Jainism was in peak. Jain monks in north Indian language are called as “SramaNar – ஸ்ரமணர்” and in Tamil they are called as சமணத் துறவிகள். Since Jain monks also lived here ( may be running a School ), the place might have obtained the name of Sramanapuram.  

HOW TO REACH:
The temple is very near to the west Saidapet bus terminus and Bus 18K is available from Broadway. 

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

 ---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Sri Dharmaraja Koil / Draupadi Amman Temple, Saidapet East, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

 06^th November 2016.

When I searched google map for the temples is  Saidapet East area along the banks of river Adyar, I came across this Dharmaraja Koil. Until  I had seen the temple I could not come to a conclusion, who is the deity. Yes the presiding deity is Draupadi Amman  and stucco images of Pancha Pandavas with Panchali ( Draupadi ) are in the mandapam connected to the epic Mahabharat.  Even though Draupadi Amman is the main deity the temple and the street are called in the name of Dharmar.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

It was claimed that the temple is more than 300-400 years old. Annual festival of uriyadi is conducted in a grand manner. The Arutjothi Vinayagar Sannidhi at the entrance was added in the latter period.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

There is no fixed time for the temple pooja and an old lady takes care of the temple.

HOW TO REACH:

About a KM from Saidapet bus terminus and the temple is on the Dharmaraja Koil Street.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

1951 

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Sri Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal Temple, Kottur / Kotturpuram, Zamin Adyar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

 01^st November 2016.

This temple’s visit was planned on 6^th November 2016. After seeing the clear sky with sun shine thought of visiting Sri Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal temple at Kottur, otherwise called a varaha kshetram.  This Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal temple is on the banks of river  Adyar at Kottur in Zamin Adyar, Chennai. The place Kottur was called as Kottu - Idai - Konda - oor and later turned to Kottur.  In Sanskrit Kottur is also called as Rekhapuri.  The temple is on an elevated place, hence 2015 flood water didn’t entered in the temple area. 

Moolavar : Sri Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal

Thayar    : Sri Alarmelu mangai

Some of the important details are....

The temple is facing east  with Anjaneyar  sannadhi on the opposite side of the road. At the gate ( inside wall ) Nagar and Gajamukar. In the outer prakaram Sannadhi for Chakkarathalwar & Sudarshana Narasimhar in a single stone ( similar to Sriperumbudur temple ), Sri Venugopalaswamy  and Navagrahas. ( Navagraha sannidhi in Perumal temple is rare since,  Navagrahas will be kept ( avahanam ) at the base of the moolavar. The Navagraha shrine was built in the year 1972. On the right side of Sanctum,  Mandapam for vahanas.

Opposite to Sanctum entrance Garudalwar, balipeedam and a Garuda thoon.

The sanctum sanctorum  comprises of Sanctum and Artha mandapam. In Artha mandapam Sannadhi for Sri Alarmel mangai Thayar, Andal and Alwars. We could spot old pillars  supports the artha mandapam. It was told that Sri Venugopala Swamy  was found in the river Adyar, brought by the fishermen. Latter moolavar  with sannadhi was built.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

During 1971-72, archaeological Department  personnel inspected and estimated the age of the temple might be 970 Years. There is an inscription  in grantha  on the mandapam wall, which was not disturbed during renovation.

As per Battar Moolavar and Anjaneyar moorthams are very old. Those who could not go to Tirupathi, they can offer / pray to this  Sri Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal at Kottur and get similar blessing. And also Perumal will appear before the devotees depends on their Karma, hence called Sri Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal.  Also It was told that Perumal will only decide  to whom he has to give darshan on that day.

 The 16th to 17th Century inscription is in Tamil but the Battar claims that it is in grantham. 

 The Navagraha shrine was built in the year 1972- as per the inscription tablet on the wall

 The inscription of Alwars installation during the year 1978

 This inscription is about the sannadhi for Nagar and Gajamugar ( Vinayagar ) constructed during 1968

TEMPLE TIMINGS :

The temple will be opened between 08.00 Hrs to 11.00 Hrs and 17.00 Hrs to 20.00 Hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS:

Battar Sri Srinivasan may be contacted for further details  through his mobile 9381007641.

The Thiruvanmiyur office phone numbers are +914424410477 and 9841328712

HOW TO REACH:

The temple is about 500 meters from Kotturpuram MRTS Railway station and frequent buses are available  on Gandhi mandapam road and the temple is about 2 KM from Kotturpuram bus stop ( AMM School)

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Sri Chakkarathalwar  & Sri Sudharsana Narasimhar Sannidhi. 

  Chakkarathalwar on east side  

 Sri Sudarsana Narasimhar on the west side 

 Venugopala Swamy  - fishermen brought from Adyar River 

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

The Garden of Remembrance, Theosophical Society, Adyar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu,

22^nd October 2016

The Theosophical Society remembers it’s  Founders, Presidents and Vice Presidents  &  it’s un-known members by erecting their statues in side the  Head quarters premises and creating a Garden of remembrance.  Colonel H S Olcott’s statute of  both life size and Burst size statues are erected at Headquarters building and in front of The Adyar Library. Blavatsky and colonel H S Olcott’s statute are in the Headquarters hall. The vice president S Subramania Iyer’s statue is also erected in front of Head quarters building.

H S Olcott, Anne Besant and N SriRam are cremated here and Lead Beater’s ash is also kept in the Garden of remembrance. The Garden of remembrance was constructed in the form of TS emblem  an interlocked triangles forming a star with lotus ponds to remember 125 years of past Presidents.

In addition to this H S Olcott was fondly remembered outside T S premises too, by keeping his name to a School, a residential colony ( Olcott Kuppam ) created for the fishermen in Besant Nagar for his remarkable service to the Community. 

 N Sriram was cremated here

 H S Olcott- the place where the body was given back to elements by fire 

Blavatsky and H S Olcott

 In memory of its unknown members 

 In memory of its un-known members 

 S Subramania Iyer – a past Vice President, Vice chancellor of Madras University and Judge of madras High Court.

--- THE GOD's WISDOM ---