Sri Gangai Amman Temple / Kankai Amman Temple / ஸ்ரீ கங்கை அம்மன் கோயில், Kaikankuppam, Valasaravakkam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this temple, Sri Gangai Amman Temple at Kaikankuppam, a part of Valasaravakkam, Chennai, was a part of the “Lesser Known Amman Temples of Chennai visit” on  06^th November 2022. Even though some of these temples have been reconstructed in recent years, they have a long and rich history.

During my visit to Pidari Selliamman Temple, Mr. Ashok directed me to this Grama Devathai temple of Kaikankuppam Village. This temple is closely associated with Pidari Selliamman and Ellai Kaval Deivam.

The Presiding Deity: Sri Gangai Amman

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple faces north, with a metal entrance arch. Vinayagar is on the left side of the entrance. A Trishul, balipeedam, and Simha vaharan are in front of the sanctum sanctorum. Gangai Amman in the sanctum sanctorum is sitting on a pedestal. She is holding a pasa angusam in her upper hands, and her lower hands are holding a knife and a bowl. Navagrahas, Chandi, and Durgai Amman are in front of the temple.

 

ARCHITECTURE

The sanctum sanctorum was built in a village style, not following an architectural style without any koshtas. There is no vimanam over the sanctum sanctorum. The total temple is under a meta color sheet mandapam.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

It was said that this Grama Devathai temple existed along with the Pidari Selliamman Temple of Kaikankuppam. It is believed that the original temple existed in the same spot for more than 1000 years. The present structure may be 100 years old.

During my interaction with Mr. Prabhu, one of the Trustees told me that it is proposed to reconstruct the temple on a large scale.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on Fridays with annadhanam, Chithra Pournami, and a 3-day annual festival in the month of Adi. During palkudam abhishekam, palkudam will be brought from Sri Pidari Selliamman Temple, the ellai kaval Deivam with melathalam. Also, the people of this Village used to do Pongal at the Pidari Selliamman temple also along with this temple.

POOJA TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open from 07.00 hrs to 10.30 hrs and from 17.00 hrs to 19.30 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

The Trustees of this temple, E. Ramachandran +91 98411 54861, D Prabhu +91 9840234476, and V Murugan +91 790968261 may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH

On Arcot Road from Vadapalani, take a left before Megamart on Thiruvalluvar Street, which is about 650 meters off Arcot Road.

The temple is about 3.7 km from Vadapalani Metro Station, 5.1 km from Koyambedu bus terminus, and 12.6 km from Chennai Central Railway Station

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Arulmigu Subramaniya Swamy Thirukovil / Murugan Temple/ அருள்மிகு சுப்ரமணிய சுவாமி திருக்கோயில், Chinmaya Nagar (Valliammal Nagar), Koyambedu, on the banks of Cooum, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

துதிப்போர்க்கு வல்வினைபோம் துன்பம்போம் நெஞ்சில்

பதிப்போர்க்கு செல்வம் பலித்துக் கதித்தோங்கும்

நிஷ்டையும் கைகூடும் நிமலனருள்

கந்தர் சஷ்டி கவசம் தனை.

அமரரிடர் தீர அமரம் புரிந்த

குமரனடி நெஞ்சே குறி…

சஷ்டியை நோக்கச் சரவண பவனார்

சிஷ்டருக்குதவும் செங்கதிர் வேலோன்

பாதம் இரண்டில் பன்மணிச் சதங்கை

கீதம் பாடக் கிண்கிணி யாட

… ஸ்ரீதேவராய சுவாமிகள் அருளிய கந்தர் சஷ்டி கவசம்.

Even though the Cooum River originates from the Kesavaram Dam, some of the canals join on the way before it joins with the sea. One such canal originates from Virugambakkam and joins the  Cooum River at Aminjikarai as a tributary to the Cooum River. This Subramaniya Swamy Temple is on the banks of the Canal.  This temple is also called Sri Rahu Ketu Anugraheswarar and Sri Kariya Siddhi Anjaneyar Sthalam.

Moolavar  : Sri Subramaniar

Consorts  : Sri Valli Devasena

Some of the salient features of this temple are…

The temple faces east, with an entrance arch from the south side. A Muneeswarar sannidhi is on the right side of the entrance, and the Road is being called in the name of this Muneeswarar as Muniappa Nagar Main Road and the place as Muniappa Nagar.

Stucco images of Shiva’s family, Rahu worshiping Sri Shiva, and Muneeswarar. On the Mandapam, parapet wall, the stucco images of Devasena Marriage, Arumugar with Sri Valli Devasena, and Subramaniar with Valli Devasena. 

In the sanctum sanctorum, Moolavar is with Sri Valli and Devasena. In koshtam Medha Dakshinamurthy and Vishnu Durgai. In praharam Ananda Vinayagar, Rahu Ketu anugraha murthy, Navagrahas, and Kariya Siddhi Anjaneyar.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple is small and consists of a sanctum sanctorum and a mukha mandapam. The total temple was reconstructed in recent years with bricks and cement. An eka tala vesara vimanam is over the sanctum sanctorum.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

It is believed that the original temple has existed along with Muneeswarar for the past 100 to 150 years. The same was reconstructed in recent years.

 

LEGENDS

The Kanda Sashti is celebrated for the victory of Murugan over Soorapadman, who fought for 5 days and was killed on the 6^th day. When Soorapadman changed him into a tree, Muruga killed him with his spear, splitting it into two parts. One side turned into cock, which Muruga took as a flag, and the other side changed to a peacock, which Muruga took as his vehicle / Vahana. The last day of Skanda Sashti, ie, the slaying of Soorapadman, is celebrated as Soorasamharam and Thirukalyam to Murugan with Valli and Devasena on the 7^th day. During Sashti days, Murugan devotees used to observe fast, taking one-time meals, except rice; some observe fast on Soorasamharam day only. Usually, Kanda Sahshti vradh will start after Deepavali, on pradima thithi, ie, the 1^st day after Amavasya day. 

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on  Kandar Sashti and celebrated in a grand manner. It will be a 7-day function. Each day, Moolavar will be decorated like the Arupadaiveedu temple Moolavars, starting with Palani. On the final day, Thirukalyanam will be conducted by Sri Subramania Swamy with Sri Valli Devasena.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open from 06.30 hrs to 10.00 hrs and from 17.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

Gurukkal Gnanamani may be contacted on his mobile number +919840113567 for further details.

HOW TO REACH

The temple is on the banks of the Cooum Canal and the Joining place of Roads Muniappa Nagar Main Road and Chithirai Street.

The temple is about 2.5 km from the Koyambedu Bus terminus and 11 km from Chennai Central Station.

The nearest Railway Station is Koyambedu.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Muneeswarar

Cooum - now a sewerage canal

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Sri Sundara Varadaraja Perumal Temple / சுந்தர வரதராஜப் பெருமாள் கோயில், Virugambakkam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

ஸத்யவ்ரத க்ஷேத்ரவாஸீ ஸத்யஸ் ஸஜ்ஜனபோஷக:

ஸர்கஸ்தித்யுபஸம்ஹார காரீஸுகுணவாரிதி:

வரதாபயஹஸ்தாப்ஜ: வனமாலாவிராஜித:

ஸங்கசக்ரலஸத்பாணி: ஸரணாகதரக்ஷக:

- ஸ்ரீ வரதராஜ ஸ்தோத்திரம்.

என்னெஞ்சம் மேயான் என் சென்னியான், தானவனை-

வன்னெஞ்சம் கீண்ட மணிவண்ணன், முன்னம்சேய்-

ஊழியான் ஊழி பெயர்த்தான், உலகேத்தும்-

ஆழியான் அத்தியூரான்.

அத்தியூரான் புள்ளை ஊர்வான், அணிமணியின்-

துத்திசேர் நாகத்தின் மேல்துயில்வான், - மூத்தீ-

மறையாவான் மாகடல் நஞ்சுண்டான் தனக்கும்

இறையாவான் எங்கள் பிரான்.

… திருமங்கைஆழ்வார் பாசுரம் ( காஞ்சிபுரம் வரதராச பெருமாள் கோயில்).

The visit to this Sri Sundara Varadaraja Perumal Temple at  Virugambakkam was a part of the “Lesser known Vishnu, Shiva, Amman Temples of Chennai Visit”, on 30^th October 2022. All these temples have a long history of Pallavas, Chozhas, and Vijayanagaras.

Moolavar  : Sri Sundara Varadaraja Perumal

Thayar     : Sri Perundevi Thayar / Sri Sundaravalli

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple faces west, with an entrance gate from the west. A short Deepasthambham, balipeedam, Dwajasthambam / kodimaram and Garudan are in front of mukha mandapam. Stucco Dwarapalakas Jayan and Vijayan are at the entrance of the sanctum sanctorum in a glass box. Moolavar Sri Sundara Varadaraja Perumal is in a standing posture with abhaya varada hastam, and upper hands are holding the conch and the chakra. Sridevi and Bhudevi are on both sides. Utsavar is with SriDevi and Bhudevi. There are no images in Deva Kostas. Utsavars, Alwars, and Chakrathalwar are in the sanctum sanctorum.

Perundevi Thayar and Andal are in Mukha mandapam. Anjaneyar and Thumbikai Alwars are in the praharam. Perumal’s 10 avatar paintings are on the compound wall.

ARCHITECTURE

The whole temple was constructed with bricks and concrete. The temple consists of the sanctum sanctorum, ardha mandapam, and mukha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on an upa peedam and pada bandha adhistanam. Brahmakantha pilasters with kalasam, kudam, palagai, and pothyals. The prastaram consists of valapi and kapotam with nasikudus. A 2-tier vimanam is over the sanctum sanctorum. Maha Vishnu’s avatar images are in the greeva kostam. The sigaram is of dravida style.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

As per the temple authorities, the original temple may be 1000 years old. It is also believed that the temple was constructed in the 12^th Century, the Chozha period, and belongs to Puliyur Kottam. Reconstructed and Ashta Bandhana maha Samprokshanam was conducted during recent years.

Maha Samprokshanam was conducted on 18^th November 2015.

LEGENDS

During ancient times, this place was full of Mango trees. Hence, it was called Amraranya, and the temple was called Amraranya kshetram. Still, the places around the temple look like Agraharam, which reminds me that this is an old temple.

As per the sthala puranam, the king of snakes, Karkodakan, worshiped Perumal of this temple. Hence, the nearby place was called Kodambakkam.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas as per Pancharatra, Special poojas and Thirumanjanam are conducted to Perumal Moolavar & Utsavar, Thayar, and Alwars. Vaikunta Ekadasi, Krishna Jayanthi, Hanuman Jayanthi, Margazhi Saturdays, etc. The annual Brahmotsavam is conducted in the Vaikasi month.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open from 07.00 hrs to 11.00 hrs and from 17.00 hrs to 20.30 hrs.

Thiruvaradhanam 08.15 hrs to 09.00 hrs and 19.15 to 20.00 hrs

Ko pooja 06.45 hrs

Vishwaroopa darshan 07.00 hrs

Thirumanjanam 09.30 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

The mobile number +919840202679 may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH

The temple is on Kali Amman Koil Street (From Arcot Road to Koyambedu) in Virugambakkam, after Virugambakkam market.

The temple is about  2.7 km from the Vadapalani bus depot, 3.09 km from the Koyambedu bus terminus, and 11.8 km from the Chennai Central Station.

The nearest Railway station is Vadapalani Metro Station.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Selliamman Temple / Sri Pidari Selliamman / பிடாரி ஸ்ரீ செல்லிஅம்மன் கோயில், near Lamech School, Fathima Nagar, Valasaravakkam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Selliamman Temple at Fathima Nagar, Valasaravakkam, was a part of the “Lesser-Known Vishnu, Shiva, and Amman Temples of Chennai" visit on 30^th October 2022. On the way to a Murugan Temple on the banks of the Cooum River, I found this temple on the north side of Arcot Road near Lamech School. All these temples have a long history of Pallavas, Chozhas, and Vijayanagars.

The presiding Deity: Sri Selliamman / Sri Pidari Selliamman

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple faces North with an entrance passage on Arcot Road near Lamech School. Two balipeedas with trishul are in front of the temple. Amman is in a sitting posture with the left leg folded and the right leg in a hanging position. She is holding a trishul. Amman's image is not an idol, but it is in the form of a bas-relief. 

In the praharan, Muneeswaran and a recently installed Vinayagar.

PC. Mr. Ashok, brother of Kai Palani

Muneeswarar

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of the sanctum sanctorum and the ardha mandapam. The entire temple was constructed with bricks. The temple was constructed in the village style. There is no vimanam over the sanctum sanctorum. Erotic images are in the kapotam, mainly of ladies. Stucco images of two persons are on the top of the entrance; they may be the donors. 

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

Sri Pidari Selliamman is a Nattar deivam, Grama devathai, and a Kaval deivam of  Kaikan Kuppam. This Kaikan Kuppam might have been spread over a large area during the construction of this temple. But now, this has shrunk to a smaller area and become part of Nesapakkam. 

The presiding deity facing the North direction will absorb positive energy. Hence, most of the Grama Devathai temples in Tamil Nadu face north. Another version is that usually, the enemies will enter Tamil Nadu from the north side. Hence, Amman will face the north direction to safeguard the Villages. It is said that a lot of miracles happened due to the grace of Sri Pidari Selliamman, and Amman is very powerful.

Nobody knew that this temple existed in this place. It is claimed that this temple may belong to the Pallava period, but experts believe that Selliamman on the flat stone may belong to the Chozha Period.  During recent years, the temple’s land was encroached, and there was no way to approach the temple. A case was filed in the court. With the great effort of some devotees like Mr. Kai Palani and K N Natarajan, this temple was retrieved, and judgment was given in favor of this Sri Pidari Selliamman.

  

LEGENDS

A lot of miracles happened due to the grace of Sri Selliamman. It is believed that without a call from Amman, nobody can come to this temple. When I was passing through this way, the temple attracted me. I went around the place looking for a way to enter the temple. Luckily, Mr. Natarajan, who was standing near the gate, was expecting someone. When I inquired about the way to enter the temple, immediately asked “whether the temple/Goddess attracts you”, and I said yes. He voluntarily helped me to go into the temple premises after getting permission from the watchman of Lamech School. I felt some calmness when I circumambulated the sanctum sanctorum.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular oru kala poojas, no other special poojas are done. On Pournami, Amavasya, and Aadi months, poojas are done for a longer period. 

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open from 06.00 hrs to 08.00 hrs and from 18.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

Mr. Kai Palani  +91 94441 81426 or his brother Mr. Ashok +91 89396 24251, and Mr. K N Natarajan +919884240855 may be contacted for further details.

Alternatively, Mr. Arunachalam, one of the devotees, may be contacted on his mobile number +919382131976 for further details.

HOW TO REACH

The temple is on Arcot Road, close to Lamech School, in Fathima Nagar, Valasaravakkam. 

The temple is about 500 Meters from Kesavardhini on Arcot Road, 700 meters from Agastheeswarar Velviswarar Temple on Arcot Road, 5.5 km from Vijaya Hospital, Valasaravakkam, 5.8 km from Vadapalani bus depot, 7.0 km from Koyambedu bus terminus, and 15.6 km from Chennai Central Railway Station. 

The nearest Railway Station is Vadapalani Metro Station (5.5 km).

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

View from the roadside

Erotic images

Erotic images

Erotic images

Erotic images

This Vinayagar was installed in recent years

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Valliserapaleeshwarar Temple / ஸ்ரீவல்லிசேரபாலீஸ்வரர் கோயில் / ஸ்ரீ வாலிசேரபாலீஸ்வரர் கோயில், Alapakkam, Valasaravakkam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Valliserapaleeshwarar Temple at Valasaravakkam was a part of the “Lesser known Vishnu, Shiva, Amman Temples of Chennai Visit” on 30^th October 2022. Since it was a Kanda Sashti day, two Murugan temples were also added to the list. All these temples have a long history of Pallavas, Chozhas, and Vijayanagars. As per the legend, the ancient name of Vaali + Sera + Pakkam has been corrupted to the present name of Valasaravakkam.

Moolavar  : Sri Valliserapaleeshwarar

Consort    : Sri Valliserapaleeshwari

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

The temple faces east without Rajagopuram or an entrance arch. A stone with Trishul bas relief, a gold-plated stone sthambam, balipeedam, and Rishabam are in front of mukha mandapam. The mukha mandapam parapet wall has stucco images of Vinayagar and Sri Shiva with Parvati as Rishabaroodar, Murugan, Nalvar, Natarajar, Ambal, Gajasamharamurthy, and Anandha Sayana Perumal. The Moolavar in the sanctum is in a slightly elevated position. In kostam, Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma, and Kanaka Durga.

In the praharam Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniyar, Utsavars, Ambal, Palliyarai, Navagrahas, Bairavar, Ayyappan (with dwaraplakas), Ramar with Sita and Lakshmana, Anjaneyar, and Vinayagar with Nagar under a Peepal tree.

Ayyappan Sannidhi

ARCHITECTURE

The total temple was reconstructed with bricks and cement concrete. The temple consists of the sanctum sanctorum, an ardha mandapam, and a mukha mandapam. The mukha mandapam is common for the Ambal sannidhi. The sanctum sanctorum is on a upanam and an eka tala vesara vimanam is on the sanctum sanctorum.

The Ayyappan sannidhi was constructed in Kerala-style architecture vimanam and completely covered with gold-plated metal sheets.

A stone sthambam standing behind the Rishaba mandapam is believed to belong to the original temple, and it is covered with gold-plated metal sheets.

Golden plates covered the Stone Sthambam

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

It was said that the original temple may be 500 years old and that it was reconstructed at the beginning of the 20^th century.

The maha mandapam was built by Mr. Madurai Nayakar & Alamelu Ammal’s son, M. Jaganatha Nayakar, & J Ponni Jaganatha Nayakar on 29^th July 1994 and was declared open on 17^th August 1994.

Moolavar, Ambal, and Parivara Sannidhis Ashta Bandhana Maha Kumbhabhishekam were conducted on 31^st August 2006.

The outside compound wall was constructed and declared open on 10^th May 2017.

Temple’s Noothana mandapa kalabarana ashta bandhana maha kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 08^th September 2019.

The Ayyappan as Darmasastha sannidhi was built, and Ashta Bandhana Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 08^th December 2021.

LEGENDS

As per the legend, one of the characters of the epic Ramayana, Vaali, came and did a Penance on Sri Shiva to get the secret Powers. The word Vaali+Sera+Paleeshwarar is now called Valli / Valiserapaleeshwarar. It was said that a small Shiva Linga, worshiped by Vaali, is kept under safe custody.

During the beginning of the 20^th Century, otta-pull (a type of grass) was grown around the temple. Hence, this temple was called Ottapulla Koil.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular Poojas, special Poojas are conducted on Pradosham, Maha Shivaratri days, Vinayagar Chathurti, and some important days.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open from 7.00 hrs to 10.30 hrs and from 17.00 hrs to 20.30 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

HOW TO REACH

The temple is on the Gangai Amman Koil Street in Ganesh Nagar.

The temple is about 1.7 km from Kesavardhini on Arcot Road, 1.7 km from Agastheeswarar Velviswarar Temple on Arcot Road,  5.9 km from Vijaya Hospital, Valasaravakkam, 5.6 km from Vadapalani bus depot, 7.5 km from Koyambedu bus terminus, and 15.2 km from Chennai Central Railway Station. 

The nearest Railway Station is Vadapalani Metro Station (5.5 km).

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---