The temples of five faces of Shiva are all located near to Chennai and some in Andhra Pradesh very close to the border.
This is a one day trip which can be done before lunch if you start a bit early and plan according to the temple opening timings.
The Five faces of Shiva are
1.Sadyojatha - Ariyathurai
2.Vamadeva - Aarani
3. Aghora - Karungaali
4. Tatpurusha - Suruttapalli
5. Ishana/Sadashiva - Ramagiri
The Pancabrahma Upanishad is a medieval era Sanskrit text and is one of the minor Upanishads of Hinduism. The text is classified as one of 14 Shaiva Upanishads, and one of the 32 Upanishads of the Krishna Yajurveda.
According to Panchabrahma upanishad all trinity are the same Brahman. It is said that it is shiva who he expresses himself according to prakrithi(guna), a part of Panchabrahma Upanishad and the same is as follows:
- Sadyojata is said to bless with all the desired objects, represents Earth, Sun (Pusha), Lakshmi, Brahma, Sound (trivitsara), Rig Veda, ( Garhapatya)The first agni, the mantras of seven notes, yellow color, and the power to act (Kriyasakti)
- Aghora, the destroyer of all sins, neutalises pacifies evils, bestows prosperity, represents water, moon, Gauri, Yajurveda, cloud color, Sandrasvara, Dakshinagni (Strong wind born from fire) the mantras with fifty syllables, protection and Ichchasakti (free will, Desire, Creative urge0
- Vamadeva, which gives the great wisdom, represents Agni, Vidyakala (education), Samaveda, Svara (musical note) with eight notes, Dhirasvara (majestic sound), Ahavantya fire, knowledge and dissolution energies, and white color mixed with darkness. His brightness is equal to that of crores of suns, possesses full consciousness and is the leader of the three states (of consciousness). He distributes the fruits of all their actions to men, who are in the three states of consciousness, and also bestows on them prosperity and all wealth. He, whose mantra is Eight syllabled one, resides in the center of eight-petalled lotus (of the heart).
- Tatpurusha is he, who possessed the air, the five fires, who is the leader of the mantra energies, and who has the fifty letters and their notes, and Atharvaveda. He is the head of crores of the Ganas (Elements) and whose body is the whole universe. His color is Red-which gives the desired objects. He is the panacea for all kinds of diseases, the cause of the creation, preservation and destruction &c., and the possessor of all the Saktis. He is above the three states of consciousness, the fourth (Turiya), and existence, consciousness and bliss himself, He is worshipped by Brahma, Vishnu and others, and the Supreme Father of all.
- Isana is the Supreme Ruler and the witness of the intelligence. He is the Ether unmanifested, and to be worshipped by the ‘Omkarasvara’. He is all the Devas, calm, and above the calmness, and beyond the ‘Svara’ (notes). He is the presiding deity of the letters ‘A’ and other Svaras, and whose body is the Ether itself. He is the cause of the five functions in the great form of the five Brahmans. He remains (at the time of dissolution) involving the five Brahmans in himself, and also remains after absorbing all the manifestations of his own maya in himself. He shines by his own glory transcending the five Brahmans. He shines in himself in the past, present and future depending on none else.
(Courtesy - Google - Pancbrahma)
If and when you intend to visit the temples, do call them and check the timings
Karungaali Sri Chinthaamaneeswarar temple
Sri Shanmugam (Temple Priest) - 98402 14130
Timings : 9.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m
Set in a Picturesque setting, The temple has sea in the front side, a river behind and forest on the other side and located on the road from Minjur towards Pazhaverkadu (Pulicat). At 10 kms, a right turn from Kaattoor village, a drive about 5 km (bad and sandy road amidst many salt lakes) takes you to the banks of the river Arani.
The temple is on the other side of Arani river and karungali has to be reached by a boat.. Limited boat service and irregularity makes a long wait inevitable. You can also reach the temple by road through the Ennore Port Road, which will lead to this temple. The Brahmaranya (Arani) river finally joins the ocean at Karungali
It is believed that Sattai Muni, a rishi, who performed Tapas (penance) in this place, built the 1300 years old temple and worshipped Lord Shiva.
The sanctum is small and the temple has no boundary walls. While the other shrines are located outside the sanctum, The main grand deity Sri Chinthaamaneeswarar is facing east towards the sea.
Shiva Lingam looks beautiful with the Nagabaranam.. Dwarapaalakas guard the sanctum with the Nandi seen facing the Lord towards the sanctum.
Lord Vinayaka known as Chinthamani Vinayagar and Lord Murugan, Chithamani Murugan are present on either sides of the sanctum.
Mother Sri Sivakaamavalli in a small shrine seen faces east with a Simha Vaahana facing her. Near the Ambal, there is another small Shiva Lingam present with another Nandhi. Deities like Sri Dhandaayudhapani, Sri Mahavishnu, Sri Nagar and Sri Durgai next to each other, are present in the same shrine.
There is a separate shrine for Sri Kaala Bhairavar in the east. This temple is considered a Bhairava Kshethram where people worship Lord Bhairavar for his blessings.
The Vimana is in the shape Gajabrishta meaning the back of a sleeping elephant is also called Thoonganai Maada. This is an example of Chola architecture
Considered equivalent to Kasi (Varanasi) and Rameswaram as by geography, This temple lies both on the sea shore and the banks of a holy river. Performing annual rites to the ancestors during Amavasya (No Moon) and Pournami (Full Moon) days here is considered as sacred and gives the benefit of performing the same in Kasi or Rameswaram.
There is also a practice of devotees staying overnight during Pournami days to worship the Lord and get their wishes granted.
For the Fisherman of the village, Sri Chinthaamaneeswarar is the Kuladheivam (family God). People from near and far visit on the Chithra Pournami and do Pongal offerings which is an unique practice for a shiva temple.
Ariyathurai Sri Varamoortheeswarar
Temple timings : 7.00 a.m. to 7.00 p.m.
Phone 098948 21712
Ariyathurai village is located off the Chennai – Kolkota highway and about 50 kms from Chennai, after crossing Thachur cross road junction to travel 2-3 kms to reach Kavarappettai. Here opposite to durga Devi Polytechnic , a left from the highway and a travel of 3 kms takes you to the temple.
The main deity is Sri Varamoortheeswarar and Goddess Sri Maragatha Valli in this ancient temple believed to be about 6000 years old. The name of the place Ariyathurai (அரியதுறை) signifies Rare and River bank.
Located on the banks of river Arani, This is also called as Brahmaaranya Theertham and believed to be created by Lord Brahma. Once when Romasa Rishi wanted to perform a Yagna, Lord Brahma churned the Arani trees to create fire. After the fire, water started flowing running through this place and came to be known as Brahmaaranya River.
When the Lord appeared before Romasa Rishi pleased with his long tapas, He in accordance with his wishes took abode here.
Mukundha Rishi also is believed to have worshipped the Lord here. When he wanted to go on a pilgrimage to Kaasi (Varanasi), leaving Ariyathurai, a divine voice asked him not to leave Ariyathurai since the Holy Ganges will flow on the banks of Brahmaaranya River for the Rishi to take the holy dip.
When a small spring originated on the banks of river Arani, the overjoyed Rishi took the holy dip in the Ganges and worshipped Lord Shiva. He was granted dharshan as Bhairavar. The Lord agreed to his request and the spring of Ganges flows even today in this village perennially so that people who are not able to make it to Kasi can visit Ariyathurai to have the benefit of a bath in Ganges.
There is a small square trench on the river bank when the water originates. Even the river dries up, this holy Ganges fountain never dries. Kanchi Paramachaarya Sri Chandrasekarendhra Saraswathi Swamigal had visited Ariyathurai during 1965 and bathed in this holy water.
It is said that there lived a king called Chithrasenan and Goddess Maragatha Valli Herself was born to him. The king arranged for the Swayamvaram for the princess. When Lord Shiva went to the palace, brought the Goddess here to this abode.
When the king with his troupes came chasing, Nandhi prevented them from entering the temple and the God gave dharshan along with Sri Maragatha Valli. The king realised that the divine mother herself was born to him and she has gone back to her Lord.
There is a Peepul tree near this temple. Lord Vishnu after taking permission from Indrani, brought a Parijatham tree from Devaloka to offer flowers to his wives. He did not take the Tree’s permission. The tree then cursed Lord Vishnu who has stood here as peepul tree for a 1000 years.
There is a beautiful pond built by a local lord near the temple which is the temple Theertham. He was enamoured by a beautiful Devadasi, who was an ardent devotee of Sri Varamoortheeswarar and proposed to her who agreed if a tank is built for the temple. He completed her wish and when he went eagerly to meet her, found her her dead to reach the feet of Lord.
This south facing temple called a parihara sthalam is constructed beautifully on the banks of river Arani.
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The main deity ‘Sri Varamoortheeswarar’ is said to represent the ‘Sadhyojaatha’ face of Lord Shiva. The Aavudaiyaar (base) of the Lingam is of square in shape and is believed that when installed by Rishis or Sages would have the Aavudaiyaar in square shape.
There are no navagrahams. Surya Bhagavan and Chandra Bhagavan are seen on the pillars just outside the sanctum, facing the Lord.
Kaala Bhairavar is present in the Ardha Mandapam and is a Swayambhu murthy.
The carvings of the snake images on the ceiling of the mandapam outside the sanctum, makes us to believe that this temple is meant to offer remedies for Sarpa Dhosham or Naga Dhosham.
A stone slab with inscriptions and n ancient Nandhi is seen on the outer praakaaram facing the sanctum. A small shrine for Romasa Rishi just behind the temple is seen
Aarani Sri Sampangi Pitchaaleeswarar
Aarani located about 70 kms north western side of Chennai near Gummidipoondi can be reached by taking the road towards gummidipoondi.
There is a ancient divine 2000 year old temple with a beautiful Rajagopuram for Lord Shiva, called Sri Sampangi Pitchaaleeswarar and the Goddess here is Sri Sivakaamavalli..
The legend is that this village had lots of Sampangi (flower) plants. Once a man noticed that one of his cows going alone in the bushes and pouring milk by its own. Surprised, the man and few villagers cut the bushes off including a Sampangi plant to see what’s under bush. To their surprise, there was a Shiva Lingam under the plants, bleeding as the Axe had hit while cutting off the plants.
Guilty, the man cut his own hand off as he felt he had committed an unpardonable sin. On his wife’s plea, Lord Shiva blessed and the man got back his hand. Since the Since the Lord evolved from the Sampangi bush and restored the man’s hand as biksha (alm), He came to be known as Sri Sampangi Pitchaaleeswarar.
The temple is big and grand. There is a spacious ‘Thirukkalyaana Mandapam’ on the right hand side, where the God’s wedding is performed. There is a Dhwajasthambham (flag staff) adorning the sanctum. There is an ancient Nandhi Mandapam where Sri Nandhigeswarar faces the Lord towards the sanctum.
Lord Sri Sampangi Pitchaaleeswar is present inside the east facing sanctum. The inner praakaarams are lined with beautful pillars and carvings. Goddess Sri Sivakaamavalli is present adjacent to the sanctum.
A beautiful Sri Natarajar facing south is present outside the sanctum.
The small peetam outside the sanctum showing the Ambaal’s Paadham (Goddess’ feet), is a rare sight.
The outer praakaaram with shrines for many other deities is huge. While Lord Ganesha is present on the southern side of the sanctum facing north, Sri Dhakshinamurthy is on the southern wall facing south. Separate shrines fo Ayyappan, Annamalaiyar, Sani Bhagwan and Kaalahastheeswarar are seen. Sri Mahavishnu, Sri Brahma, Sri Durga devi are present along the praakaaram besides divinely sculpted Rahu and Kethu combined have their shrine..
Ramagiri Sri Valeeswarar temple
Timings : 8:00 AM to 11:45 AM 3:00 PM to 5:45 PM
Phone: 079938 57373. Shankarraj Gurukkal – 09490008887
Ramagiri is about 95 kms northwest of Chennai, between uthukottai and Puthur beyond Suruttuppalli in Andhra Pradesh. Situated near a small hill in beautiful surroundings, The diety is Sri Vaaleeswarar and the mother is Sri Maragadhambikai.
The main diety is Sri Kala Bhairavar who is revered as Santhaana Praapthi Bhairavar as he blesses childless couple with a child.
Rama was afflicted by Brahma Hathi Dosha on account of slaying of Ravana, a Brahmin. Guru Vasishta advised to performa shiva Pooja to a Lingam from Kaasi (Varanasi) to be relieved from the Dosha.
Anjaneya was summoned who brought a Shiva Lingam from kashi. While returning he was seen by Kala Bairavaar at Kaalinga Madu Karai or Thirukkaarikkarai and wanted that the Lord makes his abode here. He sought the assistance of Surya who shone more and Vaayu who produced forceful dry air, which produce thirst. Anjaneya landed here and saw a boy (none other than Kala Bhairava in disguise and asked for the location of water to quench his thirst
Lord Kala Bhairava, through Ganga, made a water pond appear. Anjaneya requested the boy to hold the lingam without keeping on the ground till he is back. The boy did not wait but kept the lingam on the ground citing its heavy and left the place.
Anjaneya tried to move the lingam off the ground with all his might but could not do so. The Shiva Lingam tilted a bit but did not move. Realising it was futile, he went back to Kaasi to bring another Shiva Lingam. Suddenly there was cool breeze, the heat reduced and atmosphere became normal. Realising the trick played on him, he cursed the pond to turn into a hill. We now find a Murugan Temple on the hill. The Shiva Lingam which was brought by Lord Anjaneyar is situated in the temple at the foot of the hill.
As the Lingam meant for Rama is worshsipped here, the place is Namagiri. Since Anjaneya tried to move theLingam with his tail, the Lord is called as Vaaleeswarar.
The tilted lingam leans towards North with the marks of the tail. A rare feature is Anjaneya’s presence in front of the sanctum between the deity and the Nandhi facing Lord Shiva in a praying gesture.
Called Nandhi Theertham, the temple pond has a small Shiva Linga nearby with the front half seen protruding from the wall of the pond. The unknown water source is presumed to be somewhere from the hill, reaches a small well and comes through the Nandhi’s mouth and flows into the pond. This water flow has been perennial.
Sri Bhairavar is seen normally in the praakaarams of Shiva Temples. The Kaala Bhairavar Darshan should be done first before proceeding for the Lord’s dharshan.
Since the Shiva Linga here was brought from Kasi, one gets the benefit of worshipping Lord Shiva of Kasi by worshipping here.
Suruttuppalli Sri Pallikondeeswarar
Morning: 6.00 AM to 1.00 PM Evening: 3:30 PM – 8.30 PM
Pradhosham Days 6.00 AM to 8.30 PM
Located to the north of Chennai and 8 kms on Puthur Thirupathi route, this rare temple close to tamilnadu was built during Vijayanagara period where. Lord Shiva is in reclining position like Sri Ranganathar.
When Devas and Asuras churned the mighty ocean the Alakala Poison which rose from the ocean was drank by Lord Shiva to save the three worlds. The effect of position made him dizzy and He rested in Suruttuppalli.
When he woke up, the Devas, Rishis and other Parivars Rejoiced with happiness and relief and the day is observed as Pradhosham. The practice of Pradhosham worship is believed to have originated here.
This is the only place where Lord Shiva in a human form is in Anantha Sayanam position on the lap of Goddess Parvathi. He holds his Conch and Deer in his hands and is surrounded by Rishis like Markandeya, Sanakathi Rishis, Lord Muruga, Lord Ganesha and Nandhikeswara playing Veena. The mother is Madhuravalli.
Other than the Pradhosham day, this temple is not crowded on other days.
