Sri Devi Nagathamman Temple / ஸ்ரீ நாகாத்தம்மன் கோயில், Nandambakkam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

07^th April 2019.

Had been this temple   at Nandambakkam on the way to Guindy, after visiting Kavanur Sri Ramanatheswarar Temple. The temple is about 100 meters off main road.  Whenever I used to pass this arch,  thought of visiting this temple and it came to true only today.

Main Deity         : Sri Devi Nagathamman

Some of the salient features of this temple are…

This Amman temple is facing North with sanctum and a Mukha mandapam. Stucco Dwarapalakis are in front of the sanctum. In the Sanctum Sri Devi Nagathamman is in sitting posture under snake hood. An Amman’s head is at the feet of main statue.

A big size stucco image of Nagathamman is on the back side ie entrance of the main sanctum sanctorum. The Amman is sitting in  sukhasana under the snake hood. Damru, Soolam, Knife and Kapala/ bowl are in the hands. Navagrahas, Pal Muniswaran and Under a peepal tree Nagathamman & Nagars. A big size Nag is under the clutches of peepal tree roots.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

Happened to see a well in front of the Stucco image with an inscription stone. As per the inscription the well was dug in 1900 CE, by Syed Ibrahim Sahib’s son Syed Khadhar Sahib. It was learnt that this well existed even before construction of this temple and served as a common well for drinking water.  Even though the well is not in use, the well and the inscription stone are taken care, by the temple authorities is to be appreciated. This temple is on the 7 wells Street. When we raised a doubt, it was told that the same person Syed Khadhar Sahib excavated 7 wells and one is still in use by a flats/ residences. 

 

The well inscription

LEGENDS

As per the Gurukkal, Nagathamman was worshiped by Nags/ Devdas/ snakes and this temple is a parihara Sthalam for Raghu and Kethu. Apart from daily pooja 3 days annual festival is being celebrated during Tamil Aadi month.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The time of  opening and closing of the temple is unpredictable, the devotees are advised to contact the temple authorities before visiting the temple.

CONTACT DETAILS:

The in-charge  Mr Selvam 9841888303, Treasurer 9551773415 and the Gurukkal 8825919001.

HOW TO REACH:

The temple is on Seven wells street, between  Cantonment Board School and Madras War Cemetery.

1.5 KM from St Thomas Mount, 2 KM from Alandur Metro Railway station and 3 KM from Guindy Sub Urban railway station.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Sri Ramanatheswarar and Sri Kasi Viswanathar Temple, Kavanur, Sirukalathur, Kundrathur, Kanchipuram District, Tamil Nadu.

07^th April 2019.

It was planned to visit Vishnu / Ramar,  Shiva Temples ( Sri Kailasanathar Temple, Sri Kasi Viswanathar Temple  )  at Agaramel and Meppur along the Chembarambakkam Tank eastern bund. But to my bad luck, none of the temples  were opened. Finally decided to visit this  Sri Ramanatheswarar Temple, which is on a small hill at Kavanur a part of Sirukalathur near Kundrathur. During our  The Adyar Cultural mapping  visit this temple was under reconstruction. This very small  hill was a megalithic site had Cairn circles, but the same was disturbed now.  The temple was reconstructed and Kumbhabhishekam was also conducted.

Moolavar    : Sri Ramanatheswarar & Sri Kasi Viswanathar

Consort      : Sri Parvathavarthini  & Sri Visalakshi

Some of the salient features of this temple are…

The temple was constructed a on a very small hill  facing east with an entrance mandapam on the south. Rishaba mandapam and palipedam are on the  east side. Sri Visalakshi Amman is in the antarala facing south.  Sri Parvatha vardhini is in the Artha mandapam.  Sannadhi for Nalvar, Suryan, Chandran, Bairavar are in artha mandapam.

Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma and Durgai are in koshtam.  In the outer prakaram 63var, Kasi Viswanathar ( in a separate mandapam ), Saptha kannis, Chandikeswarar  and 8 Lingas on eight directions ( under construction ). Except Moolavar and Amman, the rest of the statues are new, including koshtam. The Parvathavarthini sannadhi and Visalakshi Sannadhi and stucco images are not a part of original temple but added at a letter date.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple complex consists of Sanctum, Antarala and Artha mandapam. The sanctum was built on a padabandha adhisthana.  A three tier nagara vimana ( built during this renovation )  is on the sanctum. The sanctum and koshtam are supported by the Vishnu kantha pilasters with square base, Nagabandam, malai thongal, kalasam, thadi, kudam, lotus petals mandi, palagai, veera kandam and Poomottu pothyal. .

 

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The temple was built during 16^th to 17^th Century Nayak period and faint inscriptions are found on the 3 face Kumudam.

Inscriptions of kumudam

LEGENDS

It believed that the Sri Ramar and Sekkizhar worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple and Sita is Vaibhava Lakshmi in this temple. 

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept opened between 08.00 hrs to 11.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 20.30 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS:

The mobile numbers 9444463569 (  9444465367 ... ? please check this number ) may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH:

This temple is close to  Sirukalathur post office  and Sirukalathur bus stop.

About  2.2 KM from Kundrathur and 20 KM from Sriperumbudur on Kundrathur to Sriperumbudur Road.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

 Saptha Kanniyar

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Sri Somanatha Eswar Temple / சோமநாத ஈஸ்வர் கோயில், Kolathur, Chennai / Thiruvallur District, Tamil Nadu.

24^th March 2019.

After Sri Kailasanathar temple’s visit, Mr Manoj and self had been to this Shiva Temple at Kolathur near Villivakkam.

Moolavar   : Sri Somanatha Eswar

Consort     : Sri Amuthambigai

The salient features of this temple are…

The temple is facing east with a mottai gopuram with a Nayak period mandapam. The balipeedam, Dwajasthambam and Rishabam are immediately after the entrance. The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala and ardha mandapam. In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Vishnu, Brahma and Durgai.  Ambal sannidhi is in the artha mandapam facing south.

In the inner prakaram sannadhi for Somaskandar, Urchavars, Siddhi Puthi Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Naalvar, Kasi Viswanathar with Visalakshi, Bairavar, Nataraja with Sivagami, Chandran, Suryan and Chandikeswarar. In the outer  prakaram sannadhi for Vannimara (Vanni Tree)  Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Navagrahas. Immediately after the temple entrance on the left, there is a sannadhi for SriDevi & Bhudevi samedha Sri Amirtharaja Perumal with urchavars.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

As per unconfirmed sources, the temple was constructed in the year 1745 CE by Mr Muthukumarappa Mudaliar, who  served as a Diwan under Arcot Nawab. He discovered a Shiva Linga at Kolathur and constructed a Temple using the money, collected as Tax, which is supposed to be handed over to Nawab. On hearing this Nawab ordered Mudaliar to be imprisoned. Before the arrest, Shiva came in the form a human and gave him a bowl to beg and collect money.  Mudaliar begged  and managed to collect a sum which was more than what he spent for constructing the temple. He gave it Nawab and realizing the power of Lord Shiva the Nawab gifted three Villages in Kolathur area to this Shiva Temple.

Madhava Gana yogi has sung "Kolathur Pathitrupathu" on Lord Shiva of this temple 

LEGENDS

From another legend Chandran the moon also called as Soman, get relieved of his curse  after worshiping Lord Shiva of this temple. Hence Shiva obtained the name of Somanatha Eswar. 

As per another legend, the Asuras Vilvan and Vadapi  with Agasthiyar also associated with this temple.  Agasthiyar also worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs to 11.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.

HOW TO REACH:

Very close to Ganga Cinema theater of Kolathur.

About a KM from Rettai Eri and Kolathur Metro  water stations.

About 2,2 KM from Villivakkam Railway Station.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

  Vannimara Vinayagar Sannadhi 

  Nandhi is playing miruthangam and veena

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Sri Kasi Viswanatha Swamy Temple / ஸ்ரீ காசி விஸ்வநாதர் கோயில், Ayanavaram, Chennai, Tamil Nadu

24^th March 2019.

After completing the darshan of Sri Kandaswamy at Kosapet, on 24^th November 2019, Mr Manoj took me to this Shiva Temple at Ayanavaram.  This 200 and odd years old Shiva temple, is one of the 400 and odd heritage structures and temples listed by the Padmanabhan Committee and the same was notified by the High Court of Madras. The Temple is very close to Medavakkam tank Road. Initially the Temple had a vast area of land and major portion was taken over/ encroached by the Govt. for constructing the Bus Depot, Annai Sathya Nagar and other residential colonies. This temple also has the Cnnection with Thirupathi Thirumalai Devasthanam (TTD). The details are given below.

Moolavar    : Sri Kasi Viswanatha Swamy

Consort      : Sri Visalakshi

The salient features of this temple are…..

The Temple is facing east with a mottai gopuram built with brick and mortar.  The balipedam, Dwajasthambam and Rishabam are immediately after the Mottai gopuram Entrance. Moolavar is swayambhu brought from Kasi. Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Mahavishnu, Brahma and Durgai are in the koshtam.  In the Artha mandapam Bairavar, Veerabhadra, Saptamatrikas Nalvar, Urchavars, Nataraja with Manickavasagar and Anjaneyar. Ambal shrine is in the mandapam facing south with a separate balipedam, Dwajasthambam and Ambal’s Simha Vahana on the south side of the prakaram. 

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala and artha mandapam.  The sanctum sanctorum is on a padabandha adhistanam with 3 patta kumudam. A three tier Vesara vimanam is on the sanctum sanctum. The prastaram consists of valapi, kapotam and Bhoomi desam. The total temple was reconstructed with Brick. The Vimanam has the stucco images of Shiva, in Karnapathi, salai pathi, and Greevam.

Ambal sannidhi is with a separate balipeedam, Vahanam and Dawajasthambam / Kodimaram. 

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The temple was built by the Gujarathi family and some of the details are… The Tawkers, a clan of Gujarathi origin had migrated to Trichy in 1700s. So they added T ( Trichy ) in their initials, thereby establishing the connection with the historic Town Trichy.  Mr. TR Tawker one from the Gujarathi family moved to Madras and started his Gem and Jewelry  business on Mount Road ( The Indo saracenic style building was designed by Henry Irwin, a famous British designer in those days) in 1890s. This firm became insolvent in 1925. One Mr Viswanatha Tawker was also belongs to the collateral branch of the firm and had some contributions to this temple is inscribed on a tablet installed at the entrance. However Two women of the Tawker family namely Ramkor Bai and Ratna Bai, the sisters are responsible for construction of this temple. They were wealthy enough and lent money to East India Company for their cloth trade. 

The Construction of this temple was started in 1804 CE and Completed in 1807 CE. They brought 2 Shiva Lingas from Kasi, of which one was installed in a small shrine  at a choultry Motta Utra, a congregational center for the Khedawal Community of Gujratis in Madras on Mint street opposite to Sri Ekambareswarar Temple. The Second one was installed in this temple. A Tank was also excavated across the road (probably Medavakkam Tank Road ). They constructed Shops and single story houses with madras terrace & Mangalore tiles around the temple. The income from these properties was utilized for conducting regular poojas and celebrations. They also established a Choultry, which served as Guest house and now used as an accommodation for Students.  The Gujarati Sisters desire of constructing a Vishnu Temple was  not fulfilled.

The Tawker line that built the temple died out over time and the administration was passed on to the Dagat family and then it came in the hands of the present Daveys. The principal money loaned by the Tawker family Sisters Ramkor Bai and Ratna bai, to the East India Company was never returned till independence and only interest was paid. After independence the payment of interest was also stopped. Daveys, who took the administration of this temple filed a suit in Madras high Court and won the case. The principle amount was returned to the temple after calculating the exchange rate for the pagoda vs the rupee. Now the temple administration is being managed by the Mr. T R Subbaraya Davey.  The temple was renovated in 1992 and 2016, without altering the main structure.

POOJAS & CELEBRATIONS

Apart from the regular poojas, a 10 day bramotsavam will be conducted during April month, every year. On 9^th night Lord Shiva with Parvathi are taken in procession on a silver Rishabam. To witness this function the Gujarathi families  assemble at the temple from various parts of the Country. 

The Umbrellas taken in a procession, meant for the Tirupati Thirumala Bramorchavam, which started from Madras Chennakesava Perumal temple used to stay in this temple for one night before their onward journey.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept opened between 06.00 hrs to 11 hrs and 16.30 hrs to 20.30 hrs.

HOW TO REACH:

The temple is about 200 meters from Ayanavaram bus terminus

About 2 KM from Perambur Railway station and 2 KM from Perambur Carriage works.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE    : CLICK HERE

 Ambal Sannidhi Vimanam

 Saptamatrikas

Veerabhadra

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Sri Kandaswamy Temple / ஸ்ரீ கந்தசாமி கோயில், Kosapet, Purasawalkam / Purasaiwalkam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

25^th March 2019.

This temple is in Kosapet a part of Purasawalkam in Chennai City. Had been to this Temple along with Mr Manoj on 24^th March 2019.  Since this area is famous for pot making it obtained the name of Kuyavar Pettai and latter turned to Kosapet. Also it was learnt that clay Pillayars are manufactured during Vinayaka Chaturthi festival season.

Moolavar : Sri Kandaswamy

Some of the salient features of this temple are…

The temple is facing east with a 5 tier Rajagopuram. Dwajasthambam, balipeedam and Peacock the Vahana of Lord Sri Murugan are immediately after the Rajagopuram.

Urchavar ( It was told that this Urchavar and the George Town Kandakottam Temple’s Urchavar are done by the same person), Moolavar Sri Kandaswamy and Kasi Viswanathar sannadhis are in a straight line facing east with Vimanas. Stucco images of Arupadai Veedu Lord Muruga, Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar’s Marriage  are in the Urchavar’s front Mandapam. The Sanctum sanctorum consists of Sanctum, antarala and artha mandapam.. This artha mandapam is common for the Kasi Viswanathar’s Sannadhi. Ambal Sri Kasi Visalakshi is facing south. In the artha mandapam, Vinayagar, Nalvar, Veerabahu with his Captains. In koshta of Shiva’s sanctum, Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Vishnu, Brahma and Durgai.

In the outer prakaram sannadhi for Pamban Swamigal, Kirupanandha Variyar, Bairavar, Ramalinga Adigalar, Navagrahas, Idumban, Chandran, Suryan and Chandikeswarar.

Sri Pamban Swamigal has sung hymn on Lord Muruga of this temple and the hymns are in the form of inscription available in the mandapam.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

As per the inscriptions and the Pamban Swamigal’s hymn this Temple was called as Shanmuga Kottam and the place was called as "Shanmuga Gnanapuram", a part of Kosapet and now a part of Purasawalkam. Even though the the Rajagopuram existed earlier, with the Muruga Bakthar Sri Kirupanandha Variyar Swamigal's effort, the rajagopuram was renovated and Kumbhabhishekam was conducted in the year 4^th July 1941.

The Temple pond Saravana poigai was constructed and opened by Sri Kirupanandha Variyar Swamigal on 9^th Feb 1970. The temple pond is just opposite to Main temple.

The Temple tank- Saravana poigai

The earliest inscription tablet is available in the urchavar mandapam. It records the paving of granite stone is the Kuzhanthai mandapam, by Sadaiyandi. From this, the temple may belongs to 18 to 19^th Century. The inscription reads as....

1. விசய ௵ அற்ப்ப
2. சி மீ அ உ சடையா
3. ண்டி கொழந்
4. தை மண்டபத்து
5. கருங்கல் தள
6. வரிசை செய்த த
7. றுமம் உ

The oldest inscription speaks about paving of granite floor to the mandapam

Arunagirinathar Sannidhi was constructed by Arunagiri Nathar Bhaktha Jana Sabaha. The Kumbhabhishekam was conducted in 1941 CE, 2000 CE ( 20-08-2002 ) and 2015 CE. 

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from Regular poojas, all the functions related to Lord Muruga, like Thai poosam, Kiruthigai nakshatra day, Karthigai Deepam, New years both Tamil and English, Thai Pongal etc,  are conducted.  

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept opened between 06.30 hrs to 11.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 20.30 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS:

The land line +91 44 26623216   may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH:

About 500 meters of Perambur barracks Bus stop and 1.5 Km from Doveton bus stop.

500 meters Mahalakshmi Cinema Theater and 750 meters from Vasanthi Cinema Theater.

3.4 KM from Egmore Railway station and 2.7 KM from Vyasarpadi Jeeva Railway Station. 

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE    : CLICK HERE

Entrance arch to the Temple Tank- Saravana poigai

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---