Sri Ekambareswarar Temple / ஏகாம்பரேஸ்வரர் திருக்கோயில், Mint Street, Park Town, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Ekambareswarar Temple, on Mint Street, in Park Town, was a part of “Shiva and Amman Temples Visit”, in Park Town and George Town areas, on 22^nd March 2015.  Sri Ekambareswarar temple is situated on the Mint Street is the longest one, where coins were minted during British period. Many Shiva and Amman temples are spread in these areas. Some of the temples are 500 years old and has a long history. Thanks to the donors, who donated the land, properties and money for constructing these temples and ensuring continuous poojas.

Moolavar : Sri Ekambareswarar

Consort   : Sri Kamakshi

Some of the salient features of this temple are...

The temple is facing east with a 7 tier Rajagopuram and a 16 Pillar mandapam. Dwajasthambam, balipeedam and rishabam are after the Rajagopuram. In koshtam Ganapathy, Dakshinamurthy, Vishnu, Brahma and Durgai.

A mandapam is in between inner and outer prakaram. In that sannadhi for Natarajar, Urchava murtis, Somaskandar, Dwara Ganapathy and Dwara Subramaniyar. Dwarapalakas are after this mandapam.

In the inner parkaram Suryan, Navagrahas, Virudhagireeswarar, Adi Sankarar, 63var, in L shape, Nalvar, Vinayagar, Sri Subramaniar, Vadaranyeswarar, Kasi Viswanathar Visalakshi, Jambukeswarar, Arunachaleswarar, Chandikeswarar, Kalatheeswarar, Chidambareswarar, Palliyarai & Chandran.

In the outer prakaram, Ambal sannadhi dwajasthambam with simha vahanam, Vannimara Vinayagar, Arasamaram nagars, Nagalingeshwara under Arasamaram, Naga Ganapathy, Kala Bairavar and Anjaneyar.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of sanctum Sanctorum, antarala, ardhamandapam and maha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a pada bandha adhistanam and constructed with stone up to prastaram. A stucco two tier vimanam is on the sanctum sanctorum. 

The 16 pillar mukha mandapam in front of the Rajagopuram was built completely with stone. The arch between pillars are also constructed with stone.

 

16 Pillar mandapam at the entrance ceiling relief and the Pillar arch  constructed with granite  stones

16 Pillar mandapam at the entrance ceiling relief and the Pillar arch  constructed with granite  stones

Pillar relief in the 16 pillar mandapam  - two snakes 

16 Pillar mandapam at the entrance ceiling relief and the Pillar arch  constructed with granite  stones

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS 

The temple was built in Edayarpalayam, now called as Park Town by Sri Alingan Pillai  about 500 years before. He was an ardent devotee of Kanchipuram Sri Ekambareswarar. He used to visit the temple travelling from Chennai, on all important days, especially on Pradosham days. On one such occasion, he was not permitted by his owner. But somehow he managed to visit the temple. On return, he was very tired and slept on this place. Shiva came in his dream and told that, he need not come to Kanchipuram in future, instead, he will have his darshan in the form of swayambhu at this place itself. After he woke up and found a Shiva Linga on that place and constructed a temple. Latter parivara sannidhis are built and during 1680 CE maha kumbhabhishekam was conducted by Sri Alangatha pillai.

Sri Vaveshvar Mahadev Shiva Linga was installed by north Indians on 01st August 2005.

 

The relief of  Sri Alingan Pillai (? ) who is the instrumental in constructing this temple

LEGENDS

Moolavar is little tall and it is believed that if one could not go to Kanchipuram, can get the same blessings from this temple Sri Ekambareswarar. 

It is believed that Ambal will relieve her devotees from Navagraha Sani dosha. So many devotees throng this temple on Saturdays. Similarly Hanuman is a varaprasadhi in this temple.  

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from 4 kala regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on Pournami, Amavasya days, Panguni Uthiram, pradosham, Navaratri, Maha Shivaratri,.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept opened between 06.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 16.00 hrs to 21.30 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS 

The land line Telephone number +9144 2535 2933 may be contacted for further details.

Web site : CLICK HERE 

HOW TO REACH 

This temple is on the Mint street in Park Town a part of Chennai.

About a KM distance from Broadway Bus stand, Central Railway Station and Fort railway station.

Nearest Railway station is Chennai Central Station.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

16 Pillar mandapam at the entrance ceiling relief and the Pillar arch  constructed with granite  stones

A beautiful simha vahana in 16 Pillar mandapam  

Moolavar vimanam with Rajagopuram in side view

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Sri Kandaswamy Temple / Kandhakottam Temple / Sri Muthukumaraswamy Devasthanam Kandakottam Temple /ஶ்ரீ முத்துக்குமாரசுவாமி தேவஸ்தானம் கந்தகோட்டம் கோயில், Rattan Bazar, Park Town, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Kandaswamy Temple, on Nyniappa Street, Rattan Bazar in Park Town, was a part of “Shiva and Amman Temples Visit”, in Park Town and George Town areas, on 22^nd March 2015.  Many Shiva and Amman temples are spread in these areas. Some of the temples are 500 years old and has a long history. Thanks to the donors, who donated the land, properties and money for constructing these temples and ensuring continuous poojas. 

Ramalinga Adigalar aka Vallalar has sung hymns in Thiru Arutpa, praising Murugan of this temple. He calls this temple as “Kandhakottam”.

ஒருமையுடன் நினதுதிரு மலரடி நினைக்கின்ற

        உத்தமர் தம் உறவுவேண்டும்

உள்ஒன்று வைத்துப் புறம்பொன்று பேசுவார்

        உறவுகல வாமைவேண்டும்

பெருமைபெறு நினதுபுகழ் பேசவேண் டும்பொய்மை

        பேசா திருக்கவேண்டும்

பெருநெறி பிடித்தொழுக வேண்டும்மத மானபேய்

        பிடியா திருக்கவேண்டும்

மருவுபெண் ஆசையை மறக்கவே வேண்டும்உனை

        மறவா திருக்கவேண்டும்

மதிவேண்டும் நின்கருணை நிதிவேண்டும் நோயற்ற

        வாழ்வில்நான் வாழவேண்டும்

தருமமிகு சென்னையில் கந்தகோட்டத்துள் வளர்

        தலம்ஓங்கு கந்தவேளே

தண்முகத் துய்யமணி உண்முகச் சைவமணி

        சண்முகத் தெய்வமணியே

Moolavar  : Sri Kandaswamy

Utsavar    : Sri Muthukumara Swamy

Consorts  : Sri Valli Devasena

Some of the salient features of this temple are…..

The temple is facing north with a 5 Tier Rajagopuram. In the Square sanctum, Vinayagar, Veerabhagu, Urchavar, Urchava murti, Valli Devasena Sri Subramaniar, Kasi Viswanathar and Visalakshi, Shiva and Parvathi and Arumugam. Moolavar and his consorts are in separate sannidhis. Utsavar is also in a Temple like sannidhi with Dwajasthambam, balipeedam.

In Koshtam Ganapathy, Dakshinamurthy, Mahavishnu, Brahma and Durgai. In the inner praharam Murugan, Kukkudanathar, Mahalakshmi, 63var and Chandikeswarar.

In the outer prakaram sannidhi for Chidambara Swamigal, Dhandapani Swamigal, Kumaraguru Dasa Swamigal, Ramalinga Swamigal, Dwajasthambam, Arunagirinathar, Urchavar mandapam, Vinayagar, Kasi Viswanathar and Visalakshi, Kalvettukkal. On the opposite to Temple Tank, Thirukachi Nambigal, Kirubananda Variyar, Natarajar in wood finish ( May be wood too.. - Manickavasagar, Ambal, Viyakrapadar and Patanjali muni ), Gnana Dhandapani, Palliyarai, 63var, Dharma Namasivaya, Velur MariChetty ( Who is the instrumental for this temple construction ) and Urchava murti.

Thanks to Kandhakottam Facebook page 

ARCHITECTURE

In the Square sanctum, Vinayagar, Veerabhagu, Urchavar, Urchava murti, Valli Devasena Sri Subramaniar, Kasi Viswanathar and Visalakshi, Shiva and Parvathi and Arumugam are in a straight line facing east. The sanctum sanctorum and mandapam are built with stone up to prastaram.  The Adhistanam is of pada bandha adhistanam with three patta kumudam on upanam with padma jagathy. The Kostas are sala style. The jalas are made out of stone beautifully. 

The prahara walls are with stucco image of Arupadai Veedu Murugan's images. 

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

It is believed that the temple was constructed by Velur Marichetty, whose image is in the outer praharam, during 17^th Century.

The 1912 CE inscription on a Shop wall in mint street records the endowment of Midday Pooja, Karthigai Somavaram and Deepam functions, by T Raghava Prasad Lala's wife Kuppammal. For the same, a House with land situated at Chenna Pattinam Peddanaickenpet, Subramania Mudaliar Street was gifted to this temple. 

The temple activities are being managed by the elected trustees from Beri Chettiar Community. Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 2^nd July 2016.

LEGENDS

The Sthala purana of this temple is in the form of inscription ( recorded in Chennai managara kalvettukaL – சென்னை மாநகர கல்வெட்டுக்கள் ) and the details are as given below…

ஆயிரவர்களில் ஒருவரான வேளூர் மாரி செட்டியாரும் பஞ்சாளம் கந்த பண்டாரமும் ஒவ்வொரு கார்த்திகையின் பொழுதும் திருப்போருருக்குச் சென்று வருவது வழக்கம். அவ்வாறே கி. பி. 1673 ஆம் ஆண்டு மார்கழி மாதம் 13-ஆம் தேதி கார்த் திகைக்கும் சென்றார்கள். திரும்பி வருகையில் களைப்பின் மேலீட்டால் செங்கண் மால் ஈசுவரன் கோயில் அருகில் உள்ள குளக்கரையில் படுத்து ஓய்வு எடுக்கை யில், உறங்கி விட்டனர். அவர்களது கனவில் முருகப்பெருமாள் தோன்றி ""நீங்கள் ஏன் வருத்தப்பட்டுக் கொண்டு வருகிறீர்கள்; இதோ இந்த புற்றிலிருக்கிற என்னை எடுத்துச் சென்று நீங்கள் வசிக்கும் சென்னையில் பிரதிட்டை செய்து பூசை செய்து வாருங்கள்" என்று கூறினார். உடன் விழித்தெழுந்து, புற்றுக்குள் ளிருந்த சுவாமியை எடுத்துச் சென்று, செங்கல்லினால் ஒரு கோயில் அமைத்து அதில் சுவாமியைப் பிரதிட்டை செய்து பூசை செய்து வரலானர்கள். அவ்வாறு எடுப்பித்த கோயில் கிலனாகிய காரணத்தால் கருங்கல்லால் கோயில் அமைக்க ஆயிரவாள் வெகுசனம் நிச்சயித்து உண்ணாழி, அந்தராளம், மகாமண்டபம் ஆகி யவை எடுப்பித்தார்கள் என்பதை இக்கல்வெட்டு குறிக்கிறது. இப்பொழுது சென்னையில் கந்தசுவாமி கோயில் என்று சிறப்புற்று விளங்கும் கோயிலின் தோற் தந்தை இது குறிப்பதாகும்.

Velur Mari Chettiar, one of the Ayiraval ( one of the thousands – a clan of Chetti community  ) and Panchalam Pandaram, used to go to Thiruporur  on every Kiruthigai day to Worship Muruga. On 13^th March 1673 CE, while returning after darshan on a Kiruthigai day, due to tired they took rest and slept on the banks of a tank which was, on the south of Sri Chenganmal Eswaran Temple, north side of  Kammalan Chavadi, near Valliammai mancha vodai ( water channel ). Murugan came in their dream and said, do not worry, I am in side this putru / ant hill. Take me along with you, where you are living in Chennai and do Poojas. Both took Murugan idol from the ant hill and installed in a small temple built with bricks at Chennai, where the temple exists now. Since the old temple was dilapidated, the ayiraval / thousands, reconstructed temple with stone, which consists of Sanctum Sanctorum, antarala and maha mandapam. The thirupani was started in Masi month Kalayukthi year, 1780 and completed in next year Panguni month. The work was carried out Kumbalinga Achari of Mylapore. This inscription describes the establishment of this Kandhakottam.  

There is a legend behind Utsavar. During 17^th Century, It was proposed to make an Utsavar for this temple. The sthapathi had made and found some metals protruding like spikes. When the sthapathi tried to clear with tool, he experienced with shock. The Utsava Murti was kept in locked room. One day Sambayyar, who was well versed in Vedas, from Kasi came and seen the Utsava Murti. With the permission of Trustees, Sambayyar cleared the spikes through chanting of Mantras.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on Pournami & Amavasya days, Panguni Uthiram, 18 days Thaipoosam/ Brahmotsavam, Vasantha utsavam, New Year days, Fridays, Kiruthigai, Kandar Sashti, Navaratri festival, 9 Abhishekam to Utsava Murti, etc,.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept opened between 06.00 hrs to 12.30 hrs and 16.00 hrs to 21.30 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

The telephone numbers are 044 2535 2191 & 92 and 044 2535 2190.

Web site : CLICK HERE 

Email: smdevasthanam@gmail.com

HOW TO REACH 

Walk-able distance from Pai kadai bus stop.

1 KM distance from Fort Railway station and Broadway bus stand.

0.5 KM from Central Railway station.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE  : CLICK HERE

The non water marked photos are taken from the web site and thanks to the unknown photographers. 

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Arulmigu Kachaleeswarar Temple / அருள்மிகு கச்சாலீஸ்வரர் திருக்கோவில், Armenian Street, Mannadi, George Town, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Kachaleeswarar Temple, on Armenian Street in George Town, Chennai  was a part of “Shiva and Amman Temples Visit”, in Park Town and George Town areas, on 22^nd March 2015.  Many Shiva and Amman temples are spread in these areas. Some of the temples are 500 years old and has a long history. Thanks to the donors, who donated the land, properties and money for constructing these temples and ensuring continuous poojas.

Moolavar    : Sri Kachaleeswarar

Consort      : Sri Sundarambal / Sri Azhagambigai.

Some of the salient features of this temple are...

The temple is facing east with a mandapam in front. There is no Rajagopuram. The temple is little lower than the ground level. The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, an antarala, ardha mandapam and maha mandapam.  Moolavar is very small with Nagabaranam. Sadashivamurthy is on the back side wall of the moolavar. In koshtam Ganapathy, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma and Durgai.

Panchamukha Ganapati with Siddhi and Budhi on the left and Sri Valli Devasena Shanmugar on the right at the entrance to sanctum. 

In the inner prakaram Navagrahas, Nalvar, Somaskandar, Ganapathy, Sri Valli Devasena Shanmugar, Urchavar, Durgambika, Palliyarai, Chandikeswarar, 63var are in "U" form with passage, Vishnu, Dattatreya, Sabha mandapam, Gajalakshmi, Saraswati, Chandran, Kala Bairavar ( on the right entrance to Ambal Sannadhi ).  Shiva’s various forms photos are hung around prakaram.

In the outer prakaram Dwajasthambam, blipedam, Rishabam, Sri Kannimoola Ganapathi, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar ( Valli and Devasena  are in a separate sannadhi on the left and right of Sri Subramaniar. - With elephant vahanam ), Kosalai, Adi Sankarar, Sri Munthikeswarar, Sri Anjaneyar, Ayyappan in a separate mandapam, Sri Kachaleeswarar stucco image is  on the right side entrance  wall from outer to inner praharam.

Ambal is in a separate sannidhi in standing posture facing south with Abhaya  and varada hastham.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam and maha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a pada bandha adhistanam. A 3 tier stucco dravida vimana is on the sanctum sanctorum.

In Navagrahas, Suryan is with his consorts Usha and Pratyusha. On the ceiling bas reliefs of 27 nakshatras, 12 Rasis, Ashtadikpalakas, 60 years and 4 yugas.

 

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The temple was constructed by Thalavai Chetty in the year 1725 CE. An article on the original History of Sri Kachaleeswarar temple, was Published in Hindu by Mr V Sriram is given below with link

THE HINDU , FRIDAY REVIEW » HISTORY & CULTURE https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/chen-columns/the-origins-of-a-temple/article3621524.ece

July 10, 2012, Updated: June 25, 2016 01:07 IST

and the blog of Sriram is reproduced as given below…….

https://sriramv.wordpress.com/2012/07/10/kalavai-chetty-and-his-kachali-pagoda/

The temple forms a square, on three sides of which is the agraharam, marking the residential area.

Kalavai Chetty, commemorated in a Chintadripet street and referred to in records as Calloway Chetty, is first mentioned in 1691,  when he was declared insolvent and sentenced to prison by the Mayor’s Court. Governor Elihu Yale, commemorated in Yale University thought differently after Chetty’s relatives met him and a surety of 1,000 pagodas (the currency used then) had exchanged hands.

He demanded the immediate release of the “eminent Merchant of the Hon’ble Company”. It was perhaps the first instance in Madras of political interference in the execution of justice.

By 1708, Chetty was clearly prosperous enough to rent the villages of Tondiarpet, Purasawalkam and Egmore from the East India Company at 1,750 pagodas per annum. Within a few months, Governor Pitt, of whom Chetty was clearly a favorite, encouraged him to take on the villages of Tiruvottiyur, Nungambakkam, Vyasarpadi, Kattupakkam and Sattangadu, which he did at a rent of 1,200 pagodas per year.

Kalavai Chetty formed a joint stock company, a private limited in today’s parlance, through which he and other investing merchants supplied cloth to the East India Company. Apart from Kalavai, the shareholders were Sunkurama, Balu and Kalathi Chetties, all commemorated with street names in north Chennai. But Kalavai Chetty’s continuing involvement in caste riots ensured his dismissal from this venture in 1717 CE. He was soon back in favour, this time on payment of 40,000 pagodas as a surety.

His various dealings prevented him from regularly visiting the Kachabeswarar shrine in Kanchipuram to which he was greatly attached. He decided to build a temple for the deity in Madras itself. His garden on Armenian Street was made over for the purpose and on it came up the temple in the year 1725 CE, then referred to as the Kachali Pagoda and now known as the Kachaleeswarar Temple. Like the shrine in Kanchi, the Shiva Linga here is mounted on a turtle depicting Mahavishnu. The goddess here is Saundarambika, just as in the Kanchi temple. The temple today has several sub-shrines, including some hideous recent structures that ought to have never been erected.

Among the more aesthetic ones is a sanctum for Ayyappa. This has an interesting story behind it. In 1952, when the temple at Sabarimala was damaged by fire, a new idol was made and taken in procession to various parts of the country. When it came to Madras, it was housed at the Kachaleeswarar Temple. When the idol was taken back to Sabarimala, a portrait of the deity took its place and was worshiped. In the 1980's, this portrait was replaced by an image.

The temple forms a square, on three sides of which is the Kachaleeswarar agraharam, marking the traditional residential area. Was this endowed by Kalavai Chetty? To the rear of the shrine is a large tank. And fronting the temple is Kachali Pagoda Lane, a throwback to the old name. In the 18^th century, this was the principal dancing-girl quarter of Madras. It has no vestige of that colourful past now. 

Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 8th July 1962. Additional thirupani  was started on 20th February 1984, completed after 5 years. Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 9th July 1989. 

LEGENDS

As per the inscription available in the Temple, a Dubash Thalavai Chetty working with British East India Company, used to go to Kanchipuram and worshiped Kachabeswarar every day. One day due to natural disaster, he couldn't return to Chennai. Shri Shiva completed his jobs on behalf of Thalavai Chetty. Shiva, made all the peoples to know about Thalavai's devotion, by appearing as Thalavai Chetty at Chennai. He constructed this temple in 1725 CE. First Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 1728.  

Devotees prays Shri Shiva and Ambal for child boon, to remove obstacles in marriage, to get rid of Naga dosha, poisonous insects dosha, to  increase the relationship and bonding between husband and wife, etc,. It is believed that life span can be extended after doing sashtiapthapoorthi at this temple.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on Pournami, Amavasya days, Pradosham, Maha Shivaratri, Panguni Uthiram, etc,.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept opened between 06.30 hrs to 11.30 hrs and 16.30 hrs to 21.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS 

The land line telephone number +9144 2522 7177 may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH 

The temple is at No. 77, Armenian Street, Mannadi, George Town a part of Chennai.

The temple is about 650 meters from Mannady Metro, 2.4 KM from Chennai Central station.

Nearest Railway station is Mannady Metro.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE :CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---