Hanuman with his parents!

Ever since I started the Aalayam Kanden blog, there have been several occasions to remind me that I do not get to decide what to write about - it happens ! The last couple of months have been extremely busy for me on the personal front, with a change in job and my son's school final exams and the subsequent series of entrance tests that he had to give for his engineering admission. My husband and I have been taking turns to accompany our son to his exam centers.One such exam centre was at Padappai and since it was a Saturday we both decided to go. It was indeed a golden opportunity to visit some temple nearby. When I proposed this to my husband, he agreed and our plan was made.

The next morning, we set out early and reached the exam venue. After settling my son in, we moved out. As we passed the Saravana Icecream factory, and the Salamangalam Bus Stop we saw a board reading Jaya Durga Peetam on the other side. For some reason, my husband said, " Let us go there". I had heard a lot about Upasana Kulapathi Sri Sri Durgai Siddhar who had established the Jaya Durga Peetam. He was the saint who pioneered the Rahu Kala Durga Pooja which is now practiced by several devotees for gaining maximum benefit. It was indeed divine will beckoning us there. Without any further hesitation, we took a U-turn and drove down the road. After about half a km, we saw the temple.

On getting down, and entering the temple, we were a little taken aback to see the board reading " Private temple, Entry on permission". However, there was no one to stop us when we entered the temple.

There were no devotees around when we went in. After a few seconds our eyes adjusted to the light inside, and we were able to see a number of shrines, and a priest performing pooja . I looked around and was pleasantly surprised to see a board reading, "Anjana Devi, Vayu Bagavan sahitha Sanjeevi Anjaneya". How very cute!

There sat Lord Hanuman between his parents, the serene Anjana Devi on one side, and Vayu, on the other, symbolised by a lamp whose wick shook wildly to symbolise the presence of Vayu inside the Sanctum Sanctorum. Hanuman with folded hands, looked like an obedient child accompanying his parents on his day out. The shrine is built in such a way that only Hanuman is visible when seen directly. Another unique feature of this shrine was that the Dwarapalakas on either side of the shrine were also Hanumans. It is believed that worshipping this unique Hanuman rids one of Moola Nakshatra Dosha. I stood there enthralled for several minutes.

My husband gently nudged me to draw my attention to the other shrines.  We met Mr Nair the manager at the temple. He was happy to provide pamphlets and information about the temple, when we explained our mission and led us to meet Durgai Siddhar's wife, a compassionate lady who welcomed us warmly. She gave the contact information of her sons, Dr. Sri Sridhar and Mr. Srivatsan who take care of the affairs of the temple and lead the various spiritual events. Mr. Nair explained the significance of the various shrines briefly.

There are a total of ten shrines in this temple.

Prathyaksha Varahi:

Prathyaksha Varahi is the Goddess who grants the power of words, the one who destroys enemies. Her special day for worship is Shukla Panchami day.

Sri Dhanvantri:

Dhanvantri as popularly known, is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu who cures chronic ailments and diseases.

Sri Panchakshara Ganapathy:

This shrine is the first of the two Ganesha shrines at the temple.

Lord Muruga:

Lord Muruga in this temple is seen as the consummation of the Kundalini Sakthi. He is the confluence of the Trimurthis and the Trisakthis. Worshipping him is said to bring prosperity and happiness.

Goddess Jayadurga:

Goddess Jayadurga sits in all magnificence in the main Sanctum Sanctorum. The Ishta devatha worshipped by Sri Durgai Siddhar, bestows health, wealth and prosperity to her devotees. The four arms shower the four Purusharthas - Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha.

Bhuvaneshwari - Mahamayi:

To the right as we enter the temple, is the Shrine housing the two Shakthis - Bhuvaneshwari and Mahamayi, the Goddesses who rule the world and protect and save all beings on it.

Swarna Akarshana Bhairavar:

The Swarna Akarshana Bhairavar at this temple is the Upasana Moorthy of Sri Durgai Siddhar's Guru, Sri Trikoota Sarbha Siddhar. Worship of the Swarna Akarshana Bhairava is said to remove poverty and bestow bliss and happiness. Upasana of this Bhairava can grant one the Ashta Maha Siddhis.

Raja Karuppar:

The "Padhinettam Padi" Raja Karuppanaswamy will protect his worshippers from evil spirits. The 18 steps he sits on can be worshipped by devotees.

Uchishta Ganapathy:

Uchishta Ganapathy is said to be the Supreme form of Lord Ganesha. Worshipping him in this form would help the devotees overcome all obstacles in life.

The four Gods in the center of the temple represent the four Vedas - Goddess Jaya Durga represents the Rig Veda, Lord Muruga the Yajur Veda, Swarna Akarshana Bhairava the Sama Veda and Uchista Ganapathy - Atharvana Veda. The Homakunta in the centre is also designed as a Chathur Veda Homakunta. 

Apart from these shrines, the Adhistanam (Samadhi) of Sri Sri Durgai Siddhar is also present inside the temple. It was here that I spent a long time meditating.

The temple houses the several books and slokas written by Sri Durgai Siddhar. Verses composed by him on different Gods and Goddesses are also featured near the shrines and on the walls making it easy for devotees to read and pray.

How to reach the temple:
The temple is situated in Padappai on the Tambaram - Kanchipuram State Highway. While going from Tambaram, take a left turn opposite to the Saravana Ice cream Factory. You will enter the Ashramam Salai. The temple is about half a kilometre down the road.

Address:

Jaya Durga Peetam
1 and 2, Ashramam Salai,
Padappai - 601 301

Contact Details:
Ph: 044-2717 4150, 98407 83066
99400 58809