Venkata Subramaniam!

Venkatasubramania Swamy Temple, Valasaravakkam

Skanda Sashti refers to the six days of battle between Lord Muruga or Skanda with Soorapadma. It is usually commemorated in the Tamil month of Aipasi, and starts on Pradhamai Thithi, the day after New Moon. Deepavali normally falls on the New moon or the previous day in this month. So the Skanda Sashti Viratham is observed immediately after the festival of Deepavali.

Skanda is said to have fought with the demon Soorapadma for five days before killing him on the shores of Thiruchendur and accepting the split portions of his body as peacock (his vahana) and a cockerel on his flag. The Soora Samharam comes to an end with Thirukalyanam (marriage) of Lord Muruga on the sixth day and abhishekams performed to cool down the anger of Jayanthinathar. (the victorious Skanda).

During this time,  devotees fast by taking only one meal per day and worship Lord Muruga. There are several temples dedicated to Lord Muruga and we are now going to look at one such unique temple, amidst the hustle and bustle of busy Arcot Road in Valasaravakkam.

Today, Valasaravakkam is home to several commercial establishments, high rise apartments, schools and such. But prior to the 1950s all it had was extensive groves, which were slowly being converted into layouts for construction. When one such plot of land was being dug up for laying cornerstones, an idol of Lord Muruga was unearthed.

The idol was not only large and beautiful, but also very unique in nature. The Lord Muruga was seen as Brahma Sastha, holding a Gendi or Kamandalam in his left hand and a Aksharamalai in his right hand. There was a Vishnu chakram behind his head and surprisingly, his right foot had six fingers! The owner of the land vowed to construct a temple for the Muruga if he was successful in selling his plots of land. Soon he was successful in doing so and the temple came up nicely, to house the Lord, who had been a long-term resident of the land.

When Thirumuruga Kripananda Variar Swamigal heard about this Murugan, he visited the temple and named him Venkatasubramaniam, as he had the Vishnu chakram behind his head. He also revealed the special significance of this Lord. Anyone worshiping Venkata Subramania Swamy for eleven weeks with devotion, will be granted any genuine wishes that he/she might have.      

Lord Venkatasubramania Swamy
(Photo Courtesy: Mr Venkata Subramanian)

                                         
The procedure for performing this eleven week ritual is as follows:
The person placing the wish before the Lord must visit the temple for eleven weeks and offer two lemons along with items for archanai. A sankalpam with the wish will be performed by the priest and after the archanai, one lemon will be returned to the devotee who must take it home, and drink the juice of that lemon.

The wish is normally fulfilled before the end of the eleven week period. Once fulfilled, the devotee performs abhishekam to the Lord to offer his gratitude. I have seen several people do this ritual with devotion and be benefitted.

On the Sashti day of every month, abhishekams are performed to the Lord's spear and special Tirisadhis are chanted.  Moreover, on Panguni Uthiram, Ekadhina Laksharchanai is performed and festivals such as Thaipoosam and Skanda Sashti are celebrated with great pomp and glory.

Hanuman at Sri Venkatasubramania Swamy Temple
(Photo Courtesy: Mr Venkata Subramaniam)

Apart from this very benevolent Venkatasubramania Swamy, this temple also has a benevolent Hanuman. Devotees tie coconuts with their shell on to rods around the Hanuman shrine and pray for seven weeks. Within this time, their wishes are fulfilled. Once done, the coconut is removed and de-shelled and offered to the Lord along with Tulsi garlands and garlands of Vada.

The temple also has a seperate shrine for Santhoshi Mata. On full moon days, abhishekam is performed here and on Avittam star every month, Lalitha Tirisadhi recitals are done.

Apart from these shrines, there are also shrines for Ganesha, Shiva and Navagraha.

Do visit this very beneficial Venkatasubramanya, during the Skanda Sashti this year, and be blessed!

How to get here:

The Venkata Subramania Swamy temple is in Venkatasubramania Nagar, in Virugambakkam on the lane opposite the Corporation office on Arcot Road.

Temple Timings:

The temple is open from 6.30 am to 10.30 am in the morning and from 5.30 pm to 8.30 pm in the evening. On Tuesdays, Fridays and Krithigai days, the temple would be open up to noon in the mornings and up to 9 pm in the evenings.

Contact details:
91762 37273, 97898 87058

Pancha Lakshmi Narayana!

Utsava is a sanskrit word wherein Ut means remove and sava means worldly griefs. The word Utsava Murthy is referred to those deities normally made of metal that are taken out in procession so that they may be worshipped by the devotees of all strata of society, to be rid of all worldly sorrows.

The Utsava murthis aid easier worship as Thirumanjanam or Kalyana Utsavam can be performed more frequently and economically on them. They can be taken to any place within and outside the temple so that a larger number of people can worship them.

There have been a number of examples in the lives of great saints when their prarthana murthis have granted the grace that one would normally associate with worshipping the moolavar (main deity) of a temple. A couple of such examples are the Moola Ramar worshipped by Sri Raghavendra Swamy, the Rama idols worshipped by Saint Thyagaraja.

One such deity is the Sri, Boomi, Neela, Mahalakshmi, Narayani samedha Sri Narayana Perumal of West Mambalam who has been granting the wishes of many a devotee from his humble residence.

Situated in the narrow and busy Baroda Street, next to the back entrance of the Sri B S Mootha Jain school, this Perumal is found with five lakshmis unlike most temples where he is seen with Sridevi and Bhoodevi.
This Perumal has been in worship for centuries in a private household of an industrialist and based on the divine instructions received , they have made worship of these deities public.

The grace of this perumal has spread far and wide and this place is often very crowded. Since the Perumal is found with five Lakshmis, he is worshipped by those seeking wealth, prosperity and good marriage alliances.

Moreover, Perumal's thirunakshathram is Pushyam (Poosam) and those born on Pushyam star are also said to benefit by worshipping him. Sridevi, Bhoodevi and Neeladevi are found on either side of the Perumal and Mahalakshmi is found as Thani Nachiyar.

The fifth Lakshmi, Narayani, is found in the heart of Narayana Perumal. Since Perumal has the Thayar as part of his body, he is adorned with a waist belt (Oddiyanam) and anklets on his feet . The Perumal looks resplendent in his Paramapatha Kolam and those worshipping him in this form are said to be relieved of all their sins and can reach the lotus feet of the Lord at the end of their lives.

The temple is currently looking for a bigger space as more and more people are coming here everyday to worship Sriman Narayana and be rid of their problems. Efforts are on to raise funds to build a temple with Moolavars for these deities as well.

Thirumanjanam is performed at 7.30 am on Poosam star every month, apart from important festivals and Purattasi Saturdays. On these days, Vishnu Sahasranama is chanted at 4.30 pm and Oyyali sevai is performed at 5.00 pm.

How to get here:

This temple is found in Baroda Street, the lane that is behind the Duraiswamy Subway which connects T. Nagar with West Mambalam.

Temple Timings:

Mornings : 7.00 to 9.30 am
Evenings: 5.30 to 8.30 pm

Contact Details:

Kalai Bhattar - 98404 57113

The Samadhis of Harrington Road!

Recently, I was invited by a friend to speak at a Story telling event, the topic of which was Stories in and around Harrington Road. I was trying to decide on what to speak about - should I talk about the Karukathamman and Semathamman temples on Harrington Road or should I speak about the School Road off McNichols Road, a small lane which houses four old temples in it? Then it struck me that I should speak about the unique feature of Harrington Road - the cluster of Saints' Samadhis/Ashrams on and around it.

Mahaan Gangadhara Navalar:

Mahaan Gangadhara Navalar Jeeva Samadhi

Mahaan Gangadhara Navalar was born in Teynampet in the year 1859. He developed spiritual seeking early in life, and through intense concentration and the grace of Lord Shiva, became self realised. He was a great poet who has sung innumerable hymns on Lord Kapaleeswara of Mylapore. The procession of the Lord would only move forward once the Navalar had completed his hymn and not before. This has been witnessed several times by devotees. 

Mahaan Gangadhara Navalar was also a great spiritual orator and made discourses in various locations. When he had to travel out of Chennai on one such instance, he did not have the money to purchase a ticket and boarded the train without it. When confronted by the ticket checker, he explained the importance of his being there in the event the next day and requested to be allowed to travel. However, the ticket checker would have nothing of it. He made sure that the Navalar was offloaded from the train in the next station. 

To his surprise, the train which was supposed to start in the next few minutes, would not do so. All efforts were made by the technicians to get the train moving, but it would not budge. 

A couple of travellers identified the saint and ran up to explain to the ticket checker who he was and offered to pay for his ticket. Once this was done, the Navalar was allowed to board the compartment from where he had been unceremoniously offloaded. As soon as he sat down, the train chugged along smoothly as if nothing had happened.

Mahaan Gangadhara Navalar installed the Jaya Vinayagar at the place where the samadhi now stands in the year 1890. He appealed to the British Government for permission to construct his Jeeva Samadhi in the year 1929. A person is said to enter Jeeva Samadhi we he decides during his life time, on the day and time when he wishes to enter Samadhi and then he sits in the pit in meditation, and his disciples cover the pit and build a samadhi over it. Only great saints have so far been capable of entering samadhi on a predetermined time and date, while still being alive. Mahaan Gangadhara Navalar was one such highly evolved soul who on 29th October 1929, entered Jeeva Samadhi at the Jaya Vinayakar temple complex.

The samadhi is found on 6th Avenue, Harrington Road, on the lane opposite MCC School It is open between 6.30 - 9 am, and 5 - 8 pm. It is a delight to watch the abhishekam to the Samadhi at 8 am in the morning. The priest does the abhishekam with the care and attention that one would give to their new born.
This is one of the Samadhis where devotees are allowed to sit right next to the Adhisthanam and meditate. The vibrations are really strong here and facilitate intense concentration.

Even when the samadhi is closed, it is possible to worship Jaya Vinayakar from the alcove on the wall and take a look at the portrait of Mahaan Gangadhara Navalar.

Acknowledgement: Aathman Awareness Centre for information on the life of Mahaan Gangadhara Navalar

Nathamuni Swamigal Maha Samadhi: The Nathamuni Swamigal Maha Samadhi is found on Harrington Road, a few buildings away from the Semathamman Temple. When you enter from Poonamallee High Road, on the lane right next to Pachaiyappa's college, it is the last building on the 4th right. If you were to enter from the other end of the road, through the Choolaimedu bridge, then it would fall on your first left.

The Kambahareswarar Temple which houses the Nathamuni Swamigal Samadhi 

Nothing much is known about the personal life of Nathamuni Swamigal, but for the fact that he had stayed in that spot probably a couple of hundred years ago, when it was just a grove of trees, worshipping Lord Shiva, whom he called Kambahareswara. Kamba refers to tremors or shivering. ( Bhookambam - tremors of the earth). Kambahareswara means the Lord who removes shivering. In Tamil, he is called Nadukkam Theertha Nathar.

A person is likely to shiver when he is excited, anxious, angry or unwell. Shivering is a response to emotions. The Lord, worshipped by Nathamuni Swamigal is said to aid one to overcome emotions. A truly liberated person, would be in a position to treat happiness and sorrow, excitement and disappointment alike, and the Lord is the one who facilitates a true seeker to reach that state of mind. The disciples of Nathamuni Swamigal have installed an idol of him in the Maha Samadhi complex.

Nathamuni Swamigal

The Maha Samadhi of Nathamuni Swamigal is found within the sanctum of Lord Kambahareswara, to the left. Apart from this and the idol of Nathamuni Swamigal, all other shrines in this temple are new and have been built over the last ten years. A shrine has also been added for Goddess Dharmasamvardhini apart from other shrines usually found in Shiva temples.

The Artha Mandapa is large, full of natural light and convenient to meditate. Here again, the vibrations are strong, and one can spend time in intense concentration, seeking spiritual development and sthitaprajna.

The temple is open between 7-10 am and 5.30-8.30 pm. Contact - Venkatesa Gurukkal - 87545 53578

Apart from these two saints, the Samadhi of Kazhi Siva Kannudaiya Vallal is also said to be in Chetpet although the exact location is yet to be revealed.

Kazhi Siva Kannudaya Vallal was a Saint who lived in the 15th Century (1380-1476 AD). He was a discipline of Guru Sambandar. He is believed to have been the first preceptor of the Suddha Sanmargam through his book Ozhuvil Odukkam. He was also the first person to have been referred to as Vallalar. Saint Ramalinga Adigal, popularly known as Vallalar, was inspired by the philosophies of Ozhuvil Odukkam and had the book published through his brother Sabapathy Mudaliar in 1851, the commentary for which was written by Chidambaram Swamigal, who installed Lord Muruga at Thiruporur temple.

Another noteworthy Saint whose Ashram is found in Chetpet is Pandrimalai Swamigal, a great devotee of Lord Muruga.

A cluster of Samadhis of great saints, is usually found on banks of holy rivers, the holy river in this case, being none other than our dear COOUM!

Ashtalingams around Thiruverkadu

Vedapureeswarar Temple (Photo Courtesy: Dinamalar)

Devotees who perform the Giri valam around Tiruvannamalai worship the eight lingams around Arunachaleswara, one for each direction, namely
Indralingam
Agnilingam
Yamalingam
Nirudhilingam
Kuberalingam
Vayulingam
Varunalingam and
Eesanyalingam
to maximise the benefit of worship and to be bestowed of the grace and blessings of these lingams installed and worshipped by the lords of the eight directions.

Not many of us are aware that similar Ashtalingams, one for each direction, are found around the Vedapureeswarar Temple in Thiruverkadu. These lingams are located over a radius of 24 kms around this temple and several people undertake to visit all eight lingams on special days like Full Moon days, New Moon Days, Mondays and Monthly Sivarathri. Performing this Pradhakshina on Wednesdays is said to bring all sixteen elements of prosperity to the worshipper.

History of the Ashtalingams:

Kulothunga I (Anabaya Cholan)

When Sage Agasthya was going down South to balance the Earth during the celestial wedding of Lord Siva and Parvathi, he installed Shivalingams at several places. Since he could not participate in the wedding, Lord Shiva agreed to grant him the vision of the divine marriage at will. When Agasthya came to worship at Thiruverkadu, he sought to see the Lord's marriage there. So the Lord appeared before him along with Goddess Parvathi in the Marriage Kolam as Vedapureeswarar. Goddess Parvathi teased the Lord saying that while he immediately manifested in whatever form the Sages wanted, what would he do for simple devotees? With the smile, the Lord manifested himself in the form of Lingams on all eight directions around Vedapureeswara, much to the delight and happiness of Goddess Parvathi. King Anabaya Cholan (Kulothunga II) had constructed the Vedapureeswarar temple as well as temples for eight lingams around it.

However, with the passage of time, and several invasions, the temples have become lesser known shrines.

1. Indra Lingam - Vallikollaimedu

Sri Indrasenapatheeswarar Temple, Vallikollaimedu

Indralingam - Sri Indrasenapatheeswarar 

The Indrasenapatheeswarar Temple is to the East of Vedapureeswara Temple at Vallikollaimedu, which  is quite close to the Karumariamman temple at Thiruverkadu. This lingam is said to have been worshipped by Lord Indra to regain his status as King of Indraloka. People worship this lingam to gain promotion at work and to obtain or complete Government related work or orders.
Google Map Link

2. Agni Lingam - Noombal
This temple is found to the South East of the Vedapureeswara temple and is found on the opposite side on NH4 behind Gajalakshmi Kalyana Mandapam.This temple has been recently reconstructed and several new shrines like Navagraham, Murugan, etc added. The original shrine of Agnilingam known as Agastheeswara worshipped by Sage Agasthya is over 2300 years old.

Sri Anandavalli Samedha Sri Agastheeswara Temple at Noombal

Agni Lingam - Sri Agastheeswara

The trustee and priest of the temple Mr Bhadrachalam lives opposite to the temple and is happy to facilitate worship at any time of the day. He can be contacted on 98401 23464. The Agni Lingam is worshipped to be rid of enemies and to find lasting happiness.
Google Map Link

3. Yama Lingam - Senneerkuppam

The Yama Lingam is found to the South of the Vedapureeswara Temple and can be found on the Poonamallee - Avadi Road. There are a number of temples close to this temple and it is right in the middle of a residential locality so one has to check by both names, Yamalingam as well as Kailasanatha to find the place.

Sri Maragathambigai Samedha Kailasanatha Temple, Senneerkuppam

Yamalingam - Sri Kailasanatha

Worshipping at this temple is said to help one stand steadfast by the truth, and be rid of Ezharai Sani, Kanda Sani, Padha Sani and Janma Sani (the various ill effects of Saturn). Iron merchants can also benefit immensely in their trade by worshiping this Lord.
Google Map Link

4. Nirudhilingam - Parivakkam

Sri Balambigai Samedha Sri Paleeswarar Temple

Nirudhilingam -Sri Paleeswarar

By turning right at RRB Energy on Poonamallee High Road, towards Pattabhiram, you will reach Parivakkam and the temple is quite easy to find. There is an arch at the beginning of the road to the temple, which will be found on your left when you go from Poonamallee High Road. This 2320 year old temple, located to the South West of the Vedapureeswara Temple is very well maintained. It has Subramanya as the prime deity in its Swamy Vimana and it is interesting to note that the Goshta Devathas are duplicated at all levels of the Vimana on each side. The temple although lesser known, celebrates Manickavasagar Vizha for ten days every year.The temple is open from 9.30 to 11.00 am. The resident across the road is very helpful in opening the door for those who arrive before or after this time. The priest Mr Balaji can be contacted on 98403 35378.

Worshipping the Nirudhilingam helps one recover debts, and the Lord is known to save and protect those who are hapless and have no one to support them.

Not very far from this temple, is the Sithukadu Dhatriswara Temple, a temple where Lord Shiva has been installed and worshipped by Siddhars. This temple is the first project of Aalayam Kanden Trust and we are happy that the reconstruction is now complete and the Kumbabhishegam is to be performed on July 9, 2014. Article on Sithukadu temples can be found on Aalayam Kanden here.

5. Varunalingam - Mettupalayam:

Close to Parivakkam, near the Christian Graveyard at Kaduvetti, is found the Varunalingam. This lingam must have once been housed in a majestic temple, but today is found inside a very humble shed. This shrine is to the West of Sri Vedapureeswara Temple.

Sri Jalakandeeswari Samedha Sri Jalakandeswarar Temple

Varunalingam - Sri Jalakandeswara

Worshipping this lingam is said to protect one from diseases, help with a good yield in agriculture, and grant boons of childbirth and prosperity.
Google Map Link

6. Vayulingam - Paruthipattu
This temple is found to the North West of the Vedapureeswara Temple. This is the only temple that closes at 10 am and opens only at 5 pm. All the other seven can be worshipped even if the priest is not around. This temple is found in Paruthipattu on Avadi Road and is quite well maintained.

Sri Viruthambigai Samedha Vayulingamoorthy Temple

It is believed that in days of yore, there were cotton plants in plenty around the temple,and the cotton flowers would burst and send cotton flying into the temple. The Lord would very often be covered by cotton and hence the place came to be known as Paruthipattu. Worshipping here rids one of airborne diseases, and helps regain lost property.
Google Map Link

7. Kuberalingam - Sundaracholapuram

Sundaracholapuram, named after King Rajaraja I's father, is not very far from Paruthipattu. There are two temples here, both of them equally beautiful. The Kamakshi Samedha Sri Somanadheeswara Temple comes first as we enter Sundarachola puram. Though this temple is not part of the Ashtalingams, we were drawn to visit by the really ancient Ganesha found under the Peepal tree.

The Ganesha at Somanadheeswara Temple

Sri Somanadheeswara at Sundaracholapuram

Somanadheeswara sits magnificently in the Sanctum Sanctorum. A few hundred metres away from this temple is our destination - the Kuberalingam which is found to the North of Vedapureeswara Temple.

Sri Vembunayaki Samedha Kuberalingeswara

Worshipping Kuberalingeswara brings lasting riches and prosperity. The contact numbers of the temple are
98847 89835, 97104 47760, 93833 85400.
Google Map Link

8. Eesanya Lingam - Chinnakoladi

The Eesanya Lingam is found on the North Eastern side of the Vedapureeswara Temple. Easanya Shivan is the provider of Mukthi which is not easy to attain for mere mortals. Similarly, finding this Shiva was not easy for us. We had to go around in circles around Koladi and Chinnakoladi asking for directions at different places. Even those who stayed a few hundred metres away from this, by far the most magnificient among the Ashtalingams, did not know the location. Finally when we found the place, we were shocked.
The Lord, a favourite diety of the Cholas, who started any new task only after worshipping him, is found in the middle of the fields, in a thatched roof. The size of the lingam can help one well imagine the size of the temple, once built by Anabaya Cholan would have been.

But today one has to wade through ankle deep slush, that sometimes threatens your balance, to reach him.

Sri Gnaneswari Samedha Easanyalingam

This temple is referred to as Gnaneswari Samedha Easanya lingam. But all you can see of the temple is what you see in the picture. Gnaneswari is now visible to those who have "Gnanakan" (divine vision)!
Worshipping this Shiva brings removes hurdles and barriers, brings success in life and grants liberation.
Google Map Link

Except for Vayulingam, all other lingams can be worshipped at any time of the day. It is better to complete the visit before dark,as a couple of lingams like Varunalingam and Easanyalingam are not in very approachable locations. The Ashtalinga Sivanadiyargal Sangam is trying to create awareness about these magnificient and divine shrines so that there is better patronage and these temples are first able to sustain themselves and slowly regain their lost glory.

We started the trip at about 10 am and were able to complete it by about 3.30 pm. We also visited Sitthukadu, Karumari Amman Temple at Thiruverkadu and Somanadheeswara Temple at Sundaracholapuram during this period. The time taken could reduce much if one had a GPS enabled phone as I have now marked all the locations on Google maps. The office bearers of the Ashtalinga Sivanadiyargal Sangam are also willing to guide anyone interested in visiting these shrines and can be contacted at the mobile numbers below:

Mr. M Periasamy - 99400 54455
Sri K. Kumara Sivachariyar - 91765 39026
Mr V Mahendran - 93808 02626

Let us worship the Yen Kailayam in Chennai and be blessed with all the prosperity in life!

The Lord who opens his eyes!

The humble entrance to the Kari Varadaraja Perumal Temple at Nerkundram

Awesome! Wow! How Divine! 

These were the words predominant in our minds as we walked out of the Nerkundram Kari Varadaraja Perumal Temple this afternoon. Every month, through the Aalayam Kanden Trust, we have been going to a lesser known, ancient temple and lighting lamps and distributing ghee and oil, This month, we chose the Kari Varadaraja Perumal Temple and feel extremely pleased about having done so.

For pictures of the Lighting of Lamps event at this temple and to join our future events or contribute towards distribution of ghee and oil , please check out our Facebook page by clicking here. 

So what is so special about this temple to have evinced such a response from us? Well, this is probably the only temple where the Lord actually opens his eyes and looks at his devotees! Surprised? Read on.

This temple has a very interesting mythology connected to it. 

King Indrajyudhman was a very staunch devotee of Vishnu. Despite being a King, he spent many hours of the day worshipping Lord Vishnu. One day, Sage Agasthya came to visit him. The King, was lost in his thoughts of the Lord and did not notice the sage. Angered, the sage cursed him to become an elephant.

Indrajyudhman was shocked. He told the sage that he was a devotee of Vishnu and had not ignored him deliberately. The sage said that once a curse was given, he could not take it back and that the King could pray to Vishnu to give him Shapa Vimochana.

When the King prayed to the Lord, he heard a voice (Asariri) telling him " I am in a place where Nel (paddy) is heaped like a Kundram (hill). Come there and worship me every day and you will get moksha" said the voice.

So the King who had then turned into an elephant, came down to Nerkundram, and found the Varadaraja Perumal Temple next to a Pushkarni. Every morning, he would pluck a lotus from the Pushkarni and worship the Lord by placing the lotus at his feet.

A humble Garudalwar with the lamp lit by us before him

One day, a Gandharva called Hoo Hoo and his wife came down to Bhooloka and were playing near the Pushkarni. When Hoo Hoo noticed the elephant plucking a lotus, and worshipping Lord Vishnu, he was very impressed. He wanted to stay back and watch what happened. So he and his wife took the form of crocodiles and swam around in the Pushkarni.

At that moment, Sage Bharadwaja came to the Pushkarni to perform his Sandhya Vandhanam. Hoo hoo, now in the form of a crocodile did not see the sage and trying to chase his wife, banged against the Sage standing in water. Sage Bharadwaja became angry at this impertinent act. Realising that the crocodile was a Gandharva, he cursed him to turn into a crocodile permanently. Hoo Hoo was sorry for his inadvertent act and begged the Sage's forgiveness. The Sage told him that when he held the foot of a Vaishnava he would be forgiven and would attain his original form.

The Crocodile immediately thought of the elephant who was a loyal devotee of Vishnu and decided to hold his foot. The next day, when the Elephant got into the water to pluck a lotus, the crocodile swam quickly towards him and caught his foot. The Elephant tried to pull his leg from the Crocodile's grasp,but could not do so because the crocodile is more powerful in water. In pain and distress, the Elephant sought the help of his Lord " Adhimoolame" he bellowed.

Does this story sound familiar to Gajendra Moksham? Well, not completely. When the Lord heard the cry of  the elephant, he wanted to come out and save both his devotees - the Elephant and the Crocodile. So he sent out his Sudharshana Chakra and asked him to bring both Elephant and Crocodile to the shore. The Chakra went swishing and sliced through the water, to carry both the creatures out of the water.

Once on land, the elephant gained strength and was able to pull his leg out of the crocodile's mouth, with some effort. When that happened, both the elephant and the crocodile gained their original forms of King Indrajyudhman and HooHoo and the Lord gave both of them the boon of Paramapadha.

As this Lord granted the boon of Paramapatha to an elephant (Kari) he came to be known as Kari Varadaraja Perumal.

Moolavar Sri Kari Varadaraja Perumal with consorts
Photo Courtesy: Sri Sugendra Bhattachar

Now from that magnificient history to reality. Today, this temple only has the main Moolavar shrine intact. Small semi permanent structures house Anjaneya Swamy and Garudalwar. A large hall covered by thatch is where the devotees gather and wait to go into the Artha Mandapa in batches. A statue of Nammalwar stands in a corner behind the book stall only to be noticed when Thaligai is submitted to him.

Sri Varada Anjaneya Swamy

Why this pitiable state? Shri. Sugendra Bhattar, the hereditary trustee of the temple, speaks with a lot of sadness and frustration. He says over time the lands belonging to the temple have been occupied by private parties and despite going to court and taking their best efforts with the available limited means, the temple which once had enough means to conduct various festivals over the year, today is unable to support even the painting of the permanent shrine that they have managed to construct for Shri Anjaneya. (This task has subsequently been completed, thanks to the kind hearted donors through Aalayam Kanden appeal).

Nammazhwar in an alcove behind the book stall. Ms. Sivakami, the lady in blue
works at the temple and answered phone enquiries. She was very helpful for this visit.

He invites us into the Ardha Mandapam to witness what we had come to see. Once inside, he tells us about the significance of worship at this temple. The Lord Kari Varadaraja Perumal, is the Lord of 27 stars. He is also the Adhibadhi of the Number 9. So for every wish or prayer that a devotee makes they offer a contribution of Rs.9 to the Lord which is then placed at his feet. The devotees come back (most often within nine days) to offer thanks for the wish having been granted. He also said that if a devotee came for 27 months on his birth star without a break he could definitely achieve whatever he wished.

The Lord has Sridevi and Bhoodevi on either side and Neela Devi and Mahalakshmi in his heart, which is a unique feature here. His right hand shows Varada Hastham and the left hand holds a Gadhayudham. The two rear hands have Sanku and Chakra. He also has a Simhamukham below his navel.

The Lord's Avatara Nakshatram is Hastham and Thirumanjanam is performed on those days at the temple. Those who wish to perform Thirumanjanam or offer Vastram (nine yard sarees are used to adorn the Lord) can contact the temple atleast fifteen days in advance.

After having told us the significance of praying at this temple, he asks us if we were ready with our prayers. We wait with bated breath, as he closes the door to the Sanctum Sanctorum, and switches off the electric lights.

The doors are closed for Nethra Darisanam

Now the Bhattar takes the ghee lamp near the face of the Lord. Lo and Behold, the eyes that you see closed in the idol while the lights were on have suddenly opened. The almost human like eyes are rolling left to right as the Bhattar moves the ghee lamp beneath the Lord's face. He asks us to seek our wishes while the Lord's eyes are open, and we do with sincerity and devotion. 

The Utsavar here is Sathyanarayana Perumal. Sathyanarayana Pooja is performed here on every full moon day. Another special utsavar is Sri Santhanagopala Krishnan. For those seeking Childbirth, the Bhattar gives the Utsavar in their hands and the woman or her mother (using the woman's vastram) receive the Krishnan with devotion in the pallav of the saree and swing him gently from side to side as the Bhattar sings pasurams. This Krishna with butter in his hand grants the boon of childbirth without fail. We saw some people distributing sweets at the temple as their wishes had been granted.

The doors have opened and the next batch goes in

Another unique feature of this temple is the community prayers that happen on tuesdays and saturdays in the morning at 11 am. On Tuesdays, since the crowd is relatively less, the community prayers are accompanied by the recital of Vishnu Sahasranamam and on Saturdays, since the crowd is larger, the community prayers are led in Tamil by Shri. Sugendra Bhattachar.

He invited us to join the prayers and we joined the group of people who had lined up on either side of the main shrine in the meditation hall. The Bhattar handed over Tulsi leaves to each and every one of us and asked us to hold it in our hands as we prayed for each person and then finally hand it over to him to be taken to the feet of the Lord with all the prayers embedded.

It was indeed an amazing activity. The power of community prayer need is well known and does not need detailed description. To know that this is a regular activity twice a week at this temple, where the prayers are conducted in Tamil instead of Sanskrit, so that people understand and participate sincerely was something appreciable indeed.

Once the offering of prasadam to the Lord was completed, the Bhattar started by asking those whose wishes had been fulfilled to share their experiences. Ms. Ramya, an engineering student, distributed sweets and chocolates to those gathered, as her prayers for her sister to have a child had been granted and she had delivered a boy baby through normal delivery.

One by one, the devotees share their concerns and everyone else prays for them

When Shri. Sugendra Bhattachar asked me what my prayer was, all I could think of is that Kari Varadaraja Perumal should get back all his property so that the temple is restored to its lost magnificence. It was indeed heart warming when everyone prayed for it to happen. The Bhattar also prayed that Aalayam Kanden should be able to do good service to the society by identifying and supporting several deserving temple. What more do we want?

After each one's concern was heard and prayers made, delicious Pongal was distributed as prasadam and we left the temple, with our hearts and stomach full.

Aalayam Kanden Team in conversation with Shri. Sugendra Bhattar

An Appeal:

The temple is currently housed in a thatched shed as you can see from the pictures and plans to have a semi-permanent shelter before the Samprokshanam on 15th September 2013 for which it requires Rs.1,40,000/- It seeks funds from noble hearted souls to complete this task on time and perform the consecration which has not happened in 24 years. Please contribute generously through cash or materials to support this wonderful temple.

Aalayam Kanden has committed to support this initiative. Please send in your contributions through cheque, Demand draft favoring Aalayam Kanden Trust, Flat A, Nutech Saradambal Apartments, No. 36, Kripasankari Street, West Mambalam, Chennai 600 033. You may also use the bank transfer option to transfer funds into our Punjab National Bank account, West Mambalam, Chennai 600 033 

Account No: 6028000100005596, IFSC Code: PUNB0602800. 

How to get here:

This temple has easy access from all parts of Chennai. From Koyambedu Bus Terminus, take a left at the Roundtana towards Poonamallee High Road. Once you cross the HP Petrol Pump on your right, you will find a First Choice Car showroom, with a green car suspended high up in the air on your right and the Vengaya Mandi Bus Stop on your left (it would be the first bus stop after Koyambedu if you take buses plying from Koyambedu towards Maduravoyal).

Turn left opposite the First Choice Showroom. Turn left again after you enter the road. The temple is the second building on your right. Do not look out for Gopuram or Vimanam as you would be sadly disappointed. There is a garments company called Shamili Garments next to the temple.

Contact Details:

Shri. Sugendra Bhattachar, Heriditary Trustee

Ph: 99625 59123, 99628 11792

Temple Timings:

Mornings: 8.30 am to 12.30 pm
Evenings:  5.30 pm to  8. 30 pm

Thank you Blog Adda for choosing this post as a 

Aalayam Kanden thanks Mr Sethupathy for sharing his experience about the temple and includes it in this post with his permission.

I had seen number of temples in different parts of India which are architectural marvels but this type I have not seen. Even if we assume it is the shilpi's art work in sculpting still it is unique.In normal times it looks like any other statue in temples.When bhattar closes the door and switch off lights and shows arti lamp we can see literally eyes exactly like human beings with white background and eyes seeing you.The experience is unique and suganubhavam and we feel god has opened his eyes to bless you and your problems will be solved.

It is the practice here that we have to take a copy of the horoscope of the person for whom we are praying alongwith what we want to be written as KORIKKAI and pay 27 Rs  as Rs 1 per star and bhattar will keep on the feet of the lord  the horoscope  letter and the money.When the arathi is shown it is believed that he sees your horoscope,and the letter and that is how by HIS grace and glance your problems get solution. 

After this each set of papers is sent to hanumanji who keeps track and follows up with the lord.

In many cases marriages have taken place very quickly or to the surprise of everyone.It is told that 3 sisters had come for their children and when praying and writing there, one of the sisters got call to immediately

rush to the house as people have come from Boy's side unexpectedly with the proposal to marry without even seeing the girl formally.

My son is in US and wanted to see in person the girl before saying yes which was very difficult to match with the dates when he comes and we were losing many good girls as he was not willing to see in web or skype.  When some printer lost all hope of getting a new machine to improve business out of frustration he came and prayed and unknown person has helped him to get new machine and he could not believe. After his telling we went there and prayed. In a week's time my son okayed the girl we saw by seeing only in web though not to his satisfaction of seeing and met her only at the time of marriage. This we could not convince him for nearly 3 to 4 years. I feel it is his grace and we were thrilled. And still all are asking how he has agreed suddenly.

After this when my sister told this to others and many have thanked her for showing the way to the temple. as their different problems have found solution.  After my son's marriage when we went there with him and his wife the driver was in mental agony and simply he wanted to accompany us inside and we readily agreed.  Next day he profusely thanked as his vehicle was about to be seized for non payment of dues and there is no way to get money in a day. As a brahmin owner driven tourist vehicle for fast track he lost all hopes.

But his problem got solved and still he is running the vehicle after paying all dues.

I think I have given enough to interest in seeing this temple. If we sincerely pray ,which we do when we are having problems, this lord in the temple really solves them .

For people who want to visit, the route is from koyambedu to poonamalle road get down at vengayamandi stop and ask there. Only thulasi malai is required and nothing else. Many are coming from outstation as well.

I have just added what I had experienced and informed to me to the wonderful article already given.

I hope many will get the grace of the God of this ancient temple not known to many.

Regds

SETHUPATHY

Shiva Vishnu Temple, Mudichur - A temple for Marriage Prayers

Arch at the entrance of the Shiva Vishnu Temple, Mudichur

Hundreds of yellow thread hang from steel rods around the sanctum sanctorum. Each one of them has a turmeric stick tied on to the thread and a number tag attached. I try to peer closer to read a tag - B2657. Another - G3328. Why have these threads been tied here and why are they tagged? This is Vidyambigai Samedha Bheemeshwar Temple at Mudichur, where people pray for their children's marriage. All sincere prayers are definitely answered and after marriage, the couple come here and remove the yellow thread that had been tied (that's why the tag - B stands for Boy and G for Girl!) and offer abhishekam to the Lord as a token of gratitude.

So, how did this temple become a "Parihara Sthalam" ? Thats an interesting story.

Over 1300 years ago, there was a Shiva Devotee named Kameshwaran in this village. He found a Shivalingam and started worshipping it in a small shrine. In the same village, lived a man called Vishwam with his adopted daughter Vasuki. Kameshwaran and Vasuki fell in love and wanted to get married. But Vishwam was against the match. Not wanting to hurt his feelings, Kameshwaran and Vasuki prayed to Lord Shiva everyday to join them in matrimony.Hearing their sincere prayers,  Lord Shiva appeared beforeVishwam as Parameshwaran, the Gurukkal at the temple and asked him to bring Kameshwaran and Vasuki to the temple. Unable to act against the words of the Gurukkal, Vishwam did as told. Parameshwaran got the two of them married. Lord Shiva and Parvathi appeared before the couple, who were overwhelmed with happiness. Since Lord Shiva got Kameshwaran and Vasuki married here, the place came to be known as Manamudicha Nallur ( place where the wedding was conducted), which now is called Mudichur.

Nagapeetam outside the temple

Even today, hundreds of eligible men and women go around the Nagapeetam outside the temple and tie yellow threads around the Sanctum Sanctorum praying for successful marriage proposals. The Shivalingam worshipped by Kameshwaran was called Parameshwaran, after the avatar Lord Shiva took to get them married. Slowly he came to be known as Bheemeshwara which is how he is referred to today. The Goddess is a manifestation of the three devis and is called Vidyambigai.

The temple is a great example of Shaiva - Vaishnava unity. The temple complex houses Sridevi Bhoodevi Samedha Damodhara Perumal. This was a sought after Vaishnavite Shrine of Yore. It is believed that Saint Ramanuja had given a Pravachanam here on his way to Shriperumbudur. In the 1800s, Sri Appariyaar Swamy is said to have collected the "Naalayira Divya Prabandham" through manuscripts, and helped collating them for print. Some also say that since the Divya Prabandham work was completed here, the place came to be known as Mudichur.

A closer look at the Nagapeetam

The temple had been badly damaged during the Manimangalam War fought between Narasimha Varma Pallava (popularly known as Mamalla) and Pulikesi II in 642 AD after which for many many years it lay in a state of neglect. No worship happened. The temple was covered with thick bushes and there were many snakes so people were afraid to go in and pray. The only activity in the temple used to happen on Karthigai Deepam day when a huge lamp was lit on the 1300 year old lamp post opposite to the Damodhara Perumal Shrine. The lamp post stands even today tall and beautiful. Unfortunately, I was not allowed to take pictures inside the shrine due to some local governance issues with the temple and so one has to personally visit to see the beauty of the shrine and the idols. It is only in the 1980s that the local youth got together to clear all the bushes, and repair and reconstruct the shrines. Today the small temples of both Perumal and Shiva and well maintained with a number of flowering plants all around the shrines.

Beautiful temple tank at Mudichur

Karthigai Deepam festival is a very important festival in this temple. Lighting of Sokka Panai and Theppam Festival happen during the month of Karthigai and it is a visual delight to watch the gloriously lit theppam floating in this beautiful temple tank. The tank is large and is fenced to prevent people from bathing in the deep waters. However, a lot could be done to clean and maintain the tank.

A picture of the Theppam Festival (Photo Courtesy : Mr. Krubha Karan)

For more details of the Theppam Festival and lovely pictures, you may access the Treasures of Tamilnadu blog here

As we enter the temple, we find the Hanuman shrine to our right, and a small shrine for Garudalwar in front of the ancient lamp post. Both Hanuman and Garuda face the Damodara Perumal temple. The left side of the temple complex is made up of the Vidyambigai Samedha Bheemeswarar temple and the shrines around it - namely for Vinayaka, Muruga, Navagraha, Chandikeshwara, Durga, Bhairava and Chandran. Most of these idols are made from Natural Moon Stone (Chandrakanta Stone) and hence are unique in their own way. 

Worshipping Chandra made from Chandrakanta stone is said to rid one of all dosas. A few metres away from the temple, is a huge Peepal Tree (Aala maram). Big enough to shoot Panchayat scenes in tamil movies. Under the Peepal Tree, is a shrine for Aalavatta Amman, a frontier Goddess for this region

How to reach the temple:


From Tambaram, take the right towards Mudichur Road. After travelling about 4 kms down the road, you will reach a church on your right side and a board which reads Mudichur on the left. Take the left turn at the Board. The road will take a natural curve towards the Aalavattamman temple and then reach the Shiva Vishnu Temple. Several buses and share autos are available from Tambaram bus stand and railway station Mudichur.

Temple Timings:


The official timings of the temple are 7 am to 10 am in the mornings and 5 pm to 8 pm in the evenings. However the temple is usually opened only by 8 am in the morning so it is advisable to go after that.

With the Karthigai Deepam festival falling on 8th December this year, do visit this temple to worship Vidyambigai, Bheemeshwarar and Sridevi Bhoodevi Samedha Damodhara Perumal and also witness Karthigai Deepam Chokkapanai, Theppam and other festivities.

Goddess Vidyambigai (Photo Courtesy: Maalai Malar)

Pidaari Kalli Amman Temple, Pozhichalur

The Kalli Amman Temple at Pozhichalur

Sometimes, life is very strange. You keep searching for something and then out of the blue, what you were looking for, appears so easily and effortlessly before you, that all you can do is shed tears of happiness and gratitude.

The story of me and the Kalli Amman Temple in Pozhichalur is something that would fit neatly into the description above. In 1995 when I was in Coimbatore for my second confinement, I read about this temple in a tamil magazine. I was amazed at the description of the goddess and how she had come to assume this unique position. Since the location was Chennai, I made a mental note to visit the temple on my return to the city. So I tore the page from the magazine and put it in the pouch of my suitcase for safekeeping.

After I came back, life was extremely busy with two little ones - my daughter just two years old and my son a newborn. The piece of paper stayed where it was and after a few days or months, disappeared. But my memory was etched with the name of the goddess, her unusual position and the location.

Years rolled by and I made enquiries from time to time. No one knew about this temple. Those were the early days of internet and information was not so easy to find. Time moved on but my desire to visit this temple remained. In 2007, I started working in Tambaram Sanatorium and the first thing I did when I got familiar about my work place was to make enquiries about this temple. When I described the goddess, everyone was surprised, but did not know where the temple was.

In early 2010, I started sharing information about unique temples I had visited, through Facebook with my friends and family. This was appreciated and they prompted me to start writing formally through a blog. I started reading popular blogs on temples to know about the temples featured and the style of presentation. Wherever I saw posts on Pozhichalur I posed a question - did they know of Kalli Amman Temple? I kept drawing a blank.( In fact if you visit Sri.Saravanan's Dhivya Dharsanam blog on Pozhichalur Agastheeswarar temple, you can still find my question dated April 2010 :))

Several months and several posts in Aalayam Kanden later, the opportunity presented itself as a pleasant surprise. Last week, my husband suggested we visit the temple of Shani Bhagavan (Saturn) on saturday. There is a seperate Shani Bhagavan shrine near my house, and he had actually planned we visit there. For some reason, I suggested Agastheeswarar temple in Pozhichalur as it is a Navagraha Shrine devoted to Shani Bhagavan in Chennai and he readily agreed.

Agastheeswarar Temple at Pozhichalur

I usually try to get some information on the temple, and its deities, history and special features before I visit, so that they can be best appreciated during the visit. So I logged into the website of the Agastheeswarar temple and lo and behold,  it showed up the Kalli Amman temple as one of its sub temples. I almost shrieked in delight! A search of 16 years had finally ended in a positive result.

I was up by 3 am on saturday and ready ahead of schedule. I was really excited that finally I was going to visit the temple that I had so longed to see. After offering prayers to the magnificient swayambu Lord worshipped by Sage Agasthya and Shani Bhagavan, and the beautiful and ancient Goddess Anandavalli and performing Archanai to Shani Bhagavan we left the Agastheeswarar temple. I enquired with the ladies sellling flowers outside the temple how far away the Kalli Amman Temple was. They said, it was just around the corner.

My local guides :)

We were quickly able to find the temple. It was as if suddenly the location changed to a village scene just like changing the backdrop in a play. Three trees, and that too each one of them significant in their taste - Tamarind, Neem and Nuxvomica (Ettimaram) spread their branches to provide shade in front of the temple. Goats played around and some took rest on the steps of the temple.

The serene settings of the temple

The temple is just one shrine big, with a small room for the Annanmaar statues to its left. But the size of the temple is no yardstick to measure the magnificence of the Goddess inside. For a moment I froze. Any amount of reading about the temple does not prepare you for the sight that waits to delight you.

Kumaran, the poojari at the temple showed the harathi with utmost devotion. I introduced myself and told him that I had been searching for this temple for the last 16 years and wanted to write all about it on my blog. He smiled serenely, as if he had heard several stories in the past about her magnificence. Although I knew somewhat about the history of the temple, I asked him to narrate it again, which I am sharing below for your reading pleasure.

Kumaran, the dedicated Poojari at the Kalli Amman Shrine

More than 1000 years ago, the place where the temple currently stands used to be somewhat uninhabited and  dwellings were found only in Kunrathur and Mangadu. A small pond/brook separated these two landmarks and shepherds from the other side of the brook drove their goats to this side for grazing. They took refuge under the huge trees against the hot sun, offered their food to the Pidari Amman (frontier goddess - the word Pidari is derived from the sanskrit word Pida Hari which means destroyer of all evil)and ate and drove back their goats to the owners in the evening.

Goats can still be seen aplenty in the temple

One day, one of the shepherds found that a white goat was missing from his herd, and, petrified that the owner would penalise or punish him, prayed to the Pidari Amman to help him find his lost goat. He offered to give her one "Kuduvai" (small earthern pot used to store milk in olden days) of milk everyday if she helped him find his goat. Very soon, he was able to locate the goat that had gone astray. Happy that the goddess had helped him, he started giving one pot of milk to the Goddess every day thereafter.

Playful goats in the temple

Some days passed. The shepherd was grazing his sheep near the temple, which had a lot of cactus (Kalli) plants growing near by. As he pinched one of the cacti, he found a milk like secretion dripping from it. A devious plan developed in his mind. He quickly thought he could collect the cactus milk in the pot and offer it to the Goddess and in turn sell the milk that was usually offered to her.

So without further delay, he executed his plan. He placed the pot of cactus milk before the Goddess and to his utmost shock, the Goddess picked up the pot in her right hand, dipped the little finger of her left hand into the pot, and tasted the liquid. Her lips got blistered from tasting the cactus milk.

The Goddess, angered by the shepherd's betrayal, rose in her gigantic form, complete with ten hands, and killed the shepherd and placed him beneath her feet. She sits till date in the same posture, reminding people that evil deeds are not tolerated in her court. 

A temple was built over where she sits around the 12th Century by the Chola King (the place is called Pozhichalur which is an abridged version of Pugazh Chola Nallur) ruling over here (Possibly Kulothunga III?)

The Bali Peetam and Trident in front of the temple

I asked Kumaran if I could take pictures of the Goddess. He politely refused saying that since she was an "Ugraha Deivam" it would not be appropriate to photograph her. He also mentioned that even the temple authorities had never taken pictures of her. I hope some artist some day is able to draw a portrait of this wonderful deity so that the world can see how she looks like. 

Kumaran had mentioned that the Goddess sat on a Padma Peetam (Lotus Platform) with the body of the shepherd beneath her feet. I could not see anything as her saree fell to the floor. He explained that it would be possible to only see her fully during "Abhishekham" which happened around 9 am every day. I was disappointed, but took leave of Kumaran after making note of the temple timings, contact number etc. notifying him that I would call back if I had additional questions.

The Annanmaar Shrine at the temple

On coming home, I tried to visualize the Goddess and what she actually held in her ten arms. Other than the Kuduvai in the right and the inverted left hand with the little finger placed near the lips I could not clearly remember. The lips were covered with "Kavacham" (silver covering) as they have been bruised. But beyond that it was difficult to recall without pictures. I did not know how much I could gather over telephone. So I decided I must visit again, this time before the abhishekam is over, so that I can get a Nirmalya Dharshan of the Goddess.

So we set out again this morning, leaving home as early as 7.30 am to be in time for the abhishekam. But traffic at Kathipara was not friendly and it was around 8.30 when we reached the temple. There were a number of people gathered to witness the abhishekam. I rushed in, only to find that the abhishekam had been completed and the Goddess was adorned with new clothes and garlands!!!

I was really disappointed. Nonetheless, one does not get what he/she desires but only what he/she deserves!! So I strained my eyes to see the hands of the Goddess through the dim light of the sanctum sanctorum conversing with her all the time. Was I late or had she had her abhishekam early? I had come so eagerly to look at all her glory.

I tried to jot down what I saw. My husband prompted me to ask Kumaran, who was busy attending to the devotees who had offered the abhishekam. I waited for him to become free, so that somehow I could get the accurate information, all the time praying to her to show me what I wanted. 

Kumaran came, and when I told him I could not see clearly among the garlands and clothes in the dim light, he smiled again, the quiet, serene smile. He showed me the "Kavachams" (the coverings that are used to adorn the goddess on special occasions) and explained the significance of each one of them.

Order from top on left side:

1. Jammankodai - An umbrella used by shepherds to guard themselves against the sun.

2. Skull

3. Bell

4. Lasso/Rope (Paasakayaru)

5. Inverted hand with the little finger close to the mouth

Order from top on the right:

1. Huge Sword

2. Damru with the face of the shepherd over it

3. Bow with dagger

4. Abhayahastham

5. Kuduvai or the earthern pot

She has her hair tied up with plaits (Jada Mudi) and a Skull Crown over it. He also showed me a glimpse of  the lotus platform with the shepherd's body over it.

I was so happy that I was almost in tears. The people who had arranged for the abhishekham were kind enough to offer us hot Chakara Pongal and Sweet Panchamirtham which was an added blessing. With a heart brimming over with gratitude, I took leave from the Goddess and Kumaran.

How to reach here:

If you are coming from Chennai city, take a left turn at the Areva Signal after crossing the airport.

You will go through the Pallavaram Shandy road. 

Take a right turn at the barricade at the end of the road, and left at the next junction. 

You will be on Pammal Main road, 

Continue on that road towards Kunrathur for a couple of kilometers till you reach a church on your right, and a board which says take a right turn for Pozhichalur. 

The right turn leads you to Pozhichalur Main Road. 

Go down the road till you reach the Agastheeswarar Temple on your right. 

After crossing the temple, take a right turn. 

You will see the Pozhichalur Bus terminus at a few feet. 

Cross the terminus, there is a Board which reads "Kalli Amman Nagar". (dont take the left here)

Go straight down the cement road which curves naturally to the left and you are at the temple.

Alternatively you can continue down GST Road till you reach the MaraiMalai Adigal Pallavaram Government Primary School. 

Turn right into Indira Gandhi Road and go right down the road till you reach the church mentioned above.

The rest of the directions are the same.

There are several buses plying from different part of the city to Pozhichalur - the 52 series, PP66 etc.

You could also reach Pallavaram by Electric train and take a share auto to the temple.

Contact Details:

Mr. Kumaran - Poojari - 72005 45235

You can also contact the Agatheeswarar temple trustee for information regarding this temple. Website : www.pozhichalursaneeswarartemple.org

Timings:

7 - 10 am 4-7 pm on all days except fridays and sundays

7 am to 7 pm on fridays and sundays

Special Festival:

Adi month 5th sunday is the "Koozh Vaarthal" Festival in this temple