NAVAGRAHA TEMPLES @ CHENNAI - SECOND SET

SECOND SET OF  NAVAGRAHA  TEMPLES NEAR CHENNAI

GNAYIRU GRAMAM SIVAN TEMPLE                                           - SUN

MUDICHUR SIVAN TEMPLE                                                       -MOON

POONAMALLEE VAITHEESWARANKOIL/

VILLIVAKKAM AGASTHEESWARAR KOIL                             -ANGARAKAN

SAIDAPATTAI KARANEESWARAR                                              - BUDHAN

THIRUVALITHAYAM PADI                                                         - GURU

MYLAPORE VELLEESWARAR                                                     - SUKRAN

THIRUVERKADU AMMAN KOIL                                                    - RAHU & KETHU

THE  HISTORY OF THE ABOVE TEMPLES WILL BE FOLLWED

1-   FOR  SURIYAN GNAYIRU VILLAGE

 Gnayiru Gramam and a hitherto unknown temple near Poondi.  PushparatheswararTemple at Gnayiru Gramam is one of the Navagraha temples around Chennai dedicated to Suryan.  The village itself gets its name from Suryan or Sun God, Gnayiru in Tamil means Sun.  It was unknown too. During that visit I had waited for an hour for the temple priest to come after finishing the rituals at another temple in a neighbouring village.  Today, the temple is getting popular.  I was pleasantly surprised to find that the temple has been renovated thanks to the efforts of the local villagers and few other devotees.  It is very well maintained too.  I would say that it is one of the better maintained temples that I have visited.  Work on the temple pond is still on and hopefully it should be ready in about 6 months.  I also found a rare tree here, in fact, the first time I have seen this tree.  Thiruvodu (begging bowl of the sanyasis) is a half of the outer shell of the fruit of these trees.  It is also used by them to drink or eat food from and is believed to prevent viral infections.

Thee are a few interesting legends behind this temple.  A Chola King was returning after successfully waging a war on a kingdom in Andhra Pradesh.  He camped at Cholavaram.  He was a staunch Shiva devotee and went in search of lotus to perform his daily pooja.  During his search he saw a pond full of lotuses.  One of the flowers was taller, bigger and more beautiful than the rest.  The King wanted this flower for the pooja and tried to reach the flower.  As the King neared the flower it moved away and was elusive.  After several futile attempts, the King was very angry and threw his sword at the flower.  The sword broke into pieces.  One of the pieces fell on a Lingam which was in the pond.  The pond turned red in no time because of the blood that was oozing from the Lingam.  This scar can still be seen on this Shiva Lingam.  The King fainted there. His horse fled from the scene before fainting.  Lord Shiva then appeared before the King and blessed him.  The King apologized to the Lord.  Lord Shiva asked the King to build a temple for the Lingam that was found in the pond.  The Shiva Lingam is a Swayambhu (self-manifested).  Here, Lord Shiva is known as Pushparatheswarar.  His consort here is Swarnabigai.  The God is also known as Poothereeswarar.  Both the names convey the same meaning; Poo or Pushpam means flower and ratham or ther means chariot.  Since the Lingam was found in Lotus, He got this name. Lotus is the flower that is offered to the God here

Here is the story on why this place got the name Gnayiru Gramam.  A Chola King was on a Pilgrimage to Kasi and was passing through this village.  He saw the beautiful lotus in the pond and as he tried to pluck the same he was blinded.  He prayed to the Lord that he would build a temple here on his way back from Kasi.  Immediately, his eyesight was restored in one eye. As promised he came to the village on his way back.  Lord Shiva appeared to the King and shone brightly on the lotus as Suryan.  The King then built a temple as instructed by the Lord and got back his eyesight in the other eye as well.  Since then, this place is known as Gnayiru Gramam and came to be known as a Surya Sthalam.  People come here to get themselves cured of eye related ailments.

The ancient temple here had shrines for Pushparatheswarar and His Consort Swarnambigai apart from shrines for Karaneeswarar, Kapaleeswarar, Jambukeswarar and Hiranyeswarar.  Inscriptions here suggest that some additions were also made by the Pandyas and Vijayanagar Kings.

2-   FOR MOON – MODICHUR SIVAN KOVIL

Shiva Vishnu Temple, Mudichur - A temple for Marriage Prayers

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

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.

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.

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.

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

3-    FOR  ANGARAKAN - VILLIVAKKAM

Tamilnadu Agastheeswarar Temple Villivakkam

The Agastheeswarar Temple is situated in Villivakkam, Chennai.  Dedicated to Lord Shiva and the Divine Mother Shakti, the temple was built around 500 years ago. The deity Lord is known as Agastheeswarar Swami and the mother as Swarnambikai. One of the oldest temples in Chennai city, it is most prominent among Hindu devotees. For most Shiva Bhakts, a visit to this temple at least once in a life time is a must. The temple has many legends associated with it praising Lord Shiva and Mother Shakti.

The temple is built on lines with other temples in South India, depicting the rich ancient culture and heritage in its sculptors, murals and other ancient forms. The old temple complex is home to a Vilvam; a tree planted by Sage Agasthya, it is said to have spiritual and medicinal healing powers. An auspicious tree, its leaves are used for daily puja in the temple.

According to the legend, Sage Agasthya killed two demon brothers Vilvalan and Vatapi. To get relief from the Brahmmahati dosha, he worshipped Lord Shiva here. As the sage Agasthya worshipped the Lord here in this temple, Shiva got the name of Agastheeswarar and became the presiding deity of the temple.

History

There are many legends that make the Agastheeswarar Temple famous and extremely pious in the eyes of the worshippers. The temple is around five hundred years old, but there are those who believe that it is more than a thousand year old temple. The temple is built in the locality called Villivakkam in Chennai City. The locality's historical name is Vilwaranyam, later changing to Villivakkam.

A revered Vedic sage, Agasthya was performing Shiva Puja in Villivakkam. It was here that he killed two demon brothers Vilvalan and Vatapi as they were causing hindrance to his puja rituals. After the sage killed them using his acquired powers he suffered from the Brahmmahati dosha. This dosha is incurred when one kills another, good or bad. Sage Agasthya worshipped Lord Shiva and pleaded for protection from the dosha. Shiva sent his trusted aide Veerabhadra to protect the Sage. As sage Agasthya performed his puja for Lord Shiva here, the temple is known as Lord Agastheeswarar Temple.

Important Shrines

The temple houses other shrines too, such as Lord Nataraja, Veer Bhadra, Kali, Mother Visalakshi and Vilvambika, Bhairava, Acharya Shankara, Subramanya, Kashi Viswanatha, four Saivite Saints and the Navagraha idols.

Significance of the Temple

The worship of Lord Shiva is of utmost importance in Hindu customs and rituals. This temple is of utmost significance as it is believed that Lord Shiva and Mother Parvati granted Sage Agasthya his wish of darshan. As Ambika had adorned herself with gold jewellery during the time, she is worshipped as Swarnambika. Tuesdays of Aadi month, i.e. July-August, special pujas are held dedicated to Lord Shiva and Mother Shakti.

The place Villivakkam received its name from slain demon brothers Vilvalan and Vatapi. During the Vaikasi Braham-utsavam of the temple, the destruction at the hands of the sage is celebrated.

Lord Shiva's aide Lord Veerabhadra who protected the sage from the dosha also has a separate temple dedicated to him at the southern entrance of the temple. As per the belief that Lord Veerabhadra is a form of Lord Shiva, during Shivarathri, Pradosha pujas and one time puja is held in his honor. Devotees seeking prosperity worship him as Ishwarya Veerabhadra.

Planet Mars in gratitude to Lord Shiva for providing reprieve from a curse created a spring outside the temple. Those worshippers facing difficulties in marriage pray in the temple seeking a relief from Mars planet's adverse effect. The temple is also known as- Angaraka Parihara Sthala. The shrine dedicated to Jupiter Guru Bhagwan is under the gaze of Mother Ambika and worshiping her provides respite to the devotees from the adverseness of Jupiter.

In the full moon fortnight on Panchami day special abhisheks are performed to Acharya Shankar. For the devotees whose wishes have been granted by the Lord and the Mother, a special abhishek in gratitude is offered to them with Vasteras, and for Lord Veerabhadra a garland of betel leaves with sandal abhishek.

Accommodation

As it is a well-known residential area with large industrial estates around, with the comforts of being well connected there are numerous places where one can stay, depending upon the budget.

Local mode of transport can be availed in form of state buses taxis and autos to reach the temple.

Tips for Devotees

The temple is open throughout the year; however, during the Panguni Wedding Festival in March-April, the 10 days Braham-utsavam in May-June and the 1008 Conch abhishek in November-December, it is better to arrive early at the temple as the surge of devotees is large.

Hotel accommodations must also be pre-booked by the tourist to ensure availability.

Rules and Rituals of the Temples

It is important to respect the timings issued by the temple authorities. The temple is open to all devotees from 6.00 a.m. to 12.00 noon and from 4.00 p.m. to 8.30 in the evening.

4- FOR BUDHAN – SAIDAPETTAI KARANEESWARAR

Karaneeswarar Temple is a Hindu temple located in the neighborhood of Saidapet in Chennai, India.

It is dedicated to Lord Shiva. This is an ancient Temple presently managed by the HR & CE department of the Government of Tamil Nadu. The Goddess is known as "Swarnambika" (The Golden Mother). Apart from this, there are separate shrines for Lord Ganapathi,Lord Karthikeya and other Parivara Devtas. This temple is located next to the Saidapet Railway station.

History and legend

The temple boasts of a hoary mythology. Lord Indra having given his divine cow " Kamadhenu" to Sage Vashishta is worried as she has not returned even after a long time .He find out that she has been cursed into an ordinary one because she had created obstacles during Pooja and Prayer of Sage Vashishta. He consults his Ganas and on that basis finds out that the Holy Cow Kamadhenu can be redeemed if he constructs a Temple to Lord Shiva in between Mylapore and Thiruvanmiyur on the North western direction.

He then ordains the clouds (Kar) to rain and cool the area thereby creating a wonderful green pasture. He installs a Linga and prays to the Lord Shiva - who redeems the holy cow for him and also blesses him by granting him the status of Gopathi ( Lord of Cows). The tank he made is known as Gopathi Saras. It is said that people who take a ritual bath in this tank on full moon days get cured of many of their illnesses.

This temple has a 7-storied Gopuram with two prakarams(closed precincts of a temple). This temple has a beautiful tank. We come across the shrine for Ganesha and as we move further after circumambulating the temple we come across the Shrine for Lord Karthikeya and further as we move towards the Dwajasthamba we cross the shrine of Lord Vedagiriswara. We enter the main precinct of the Temple where the main Shrine of Lord Karaneeswara and the Goddess Swarnambika are situated.

We find beautiful idols of Lord Dakshinamoorthy and Nayanmars installed inside the inner Prakara (Precinct). There are also separate shrines for Lord Palani Andavar, Lord Virabhadra and Lord Surya inside the temple. Beside the Temple is the temple tank and on the steps of the tank we can find a shrine for Lord Ganesha - who is in a standing posture along with his consorts siddhi and Buddhi.This temple has nandavanam (Garden) as well.

5- FOR GURU – THIRUVALIDHAAYAM PADI

Tiruvaleeswarar Temple is located at about 1/2 km inside from the Avadi main road. A popular poet Thirungyana Sambandar has composed hymns at this temple. The east tower has 3 tiers and acts as the main entrance to the temple. Inside the main entrance, there is broad inner courtyard on all the four sides of the main shrine. A garden along the walls of outer corridor decorates the temple. Entering the inner mandapam, the main sanctum sanctorum of Lord Shiva is situated.

The sanctum is semi-circular in shape at the back. This type of architecture is called Gaja Brishta Vimana or Thoonganai Maadam in Tamil as this resembles the back of a sleeping elephant. The main deity is known as Tiruvalleeswarar. To the right of him is the shrine for the female deity Jagathambikai. On the 4 walls of the inner corridor encircling the main sanctum sanctorum, there are sculptured images of Sun God, Balasubramania, Vinayagar, Dakshinamoorthy, Mahavishnu, Brahma, Durgai, etc. There are separate shrines inside the temple for Somaskandar, Murugan with his concerts Valli and Deivanai, Anjaneyar and Meenakshi Sundareswarar. There is also a sivalingam supposed to have been worshipped by Sage Bharadwaj Maharishi. The pillars in this temple have beautifully carved images of Hindu Gods, Natarajar, Murugan, Kothandaramar, Machavathara Moorthy, Koormavadhara Moorthy etc. According to mythology, Lord Brahma's two daughters Kamali and Valli wished to marry Lord Shiva. Knowing that their wish is very diffuclt to be fulfilled, Lord Brahma sent them to worship Lord Shiva on the banks of river Paalaru. Shiva, being pleased with their penance, appeared before them and told them that it is not possible for them to marry him as he is already married to Parvathi and advised them to marry Lord Ganapathy. Accordingly, they married Lord Ganapathy, who was returning after conquering the demon king Gajamukasuran. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tiruvaleeswarar Temple Devasthana Office Phone Number : 044 - 26540706 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tiruvalidhaayam Tiruvalleeswarar temple is open from 6.30 AM to 12 Noon and from 4.30 PM to 8.30 PM

6- FOR  SUKRAN – MYLAPORE VELLEESWARAR KOIL

Velleeswaran Koil is one of the seven Siva temples of Mylapore. It is physically closest to the Kapaliswarar Temple, existing as it does on South Mada Street. The presiding deities are Sukreswarar/Velleeswarar and Kamakshi. Of equal importance is Muthukumaraswami who has his own flagstaff thereby signifying that he has a set of annual festivities quite independent of Velleeswarar. This is similar to what happens at Kapaliswarar Temple where Singaravelar has his own events calendar.

In its time, the temple must have been a small but pretty shrine with Shiva facing East, the Goddess having her own sanctum to the right and facing South and Muthukumaraswami a little behind facing East as well. A fairly large Ganesa shrine (Selva Vinayakar) faces the entrance. It is significant that Tekkur Selva Vinyakar Koil Street is exactly opposite the temple and I have often wondered if this Ganesa is that Tekkur Selva Vinayaka,though as to what is Tekkur I don’t know. The late Sundari Mani (a wonderful lady of indomitable spirit) once told me that this Ganesa was also known as Kaikolar Ganapathy as the area was full of weavers till the 1940s. Apparently, the first garment from every loom would be offered to this Ganesa.

The temple has in later years become a maze of shrines and sub-shrines, each rivaling the other in poor conception and execution. The biggest star today is Sarabheswarar who draws enormous crowds on Sundays.

But I digress. The story behind the temple’s origin (as always it is said to be a thousand years old though the list of trustees carved on a wall has it that the first trustee was a Chengalvaraya Mudaliar in 1874), is that this was where Sukra (Venus), was blessed with eyesight after Vishnu in the Vamana incarnation blinded him. There is a shrine for this in the temple. Among the processional deities in the shrine is a unique icon of Vishnu as Trivikrama, a foot lifted up to hold the heavens. I enquired about it and was told that during the annual Brahmotsavam which happens in Vaikasi (May/June), one of the highlights is the restoring of eyesight to Sukra. The event was held yesterday with yours truly in attendance.

At 3.45 in the afternoon, Brahma on a swan, Vishnu on Garuda and Shiva on the bull, set off to the Chitra Kulam (known at this temple as Sukra Teertham). The processional icon of Velleeswarar does not go for this, the pradosha icon standing in instead. Alas! the Trivikrama is all trussed up and made to appear seated on Garuda and looks so disproportionate. What a beauty the icon is without all this unnecessary decoration.

nyway, off they go to Chitra Kulam with band, nagaswaram and drums. There they wait for Sukra to complete his penance.This is taking place inside a makeshift shelter just outside the tank. An oduvar reads from the Tirumurai, the verses chiefly being those composed by Sundaramurthy Nayanar for regaining his vision. At the end of this, a screen which covers the shelter is removed and we see a canopy in which are Mahabali holding an enormous kindi, Sukra in anjali pose and Vamana. Deeparadhana is offered and Sukra sees the Trimurthy. The deities then return to the temple, followed by Sukra, Mahabali and Vamana.

Wonder how many Shiva temples other than this one have a Garuda Sevai as part of their events!

I understand that Shukra complained bitterly about his having to wait next to smelly Chitra Kulam for so long. The Trimurthys apparently pleaded helplessness. There is only so much that the Gods can do in the face of human apathy.

7- FOR SHANEESWARAR – MANGALA SANEESWARAR TEMPLE IN ADAMBAKKAM/

MANGAMEDU  NEAR THIRUVELLORE/ARAKONAM

   8&9 RAHU & KETHU  -  THIRUVERKADU  KARUMARIYAMMAN