Temples of Tamilnadu - 39 - Navagraha Temples in Chennai - Day 1

We wanted to cover the Navagraha temples in chennai in a day. Then we found that it could be tedious and we will not be doing justice if we do in a hurry. hence we split the travel into two sundays forenoon and covered them comfortably with excellent darshan every where. Since we were visiting Kundrathur, we also had the joy of going to the Murugan temple and having his wonderful darshan.

Pozhichalur Agastheeswarar Temple - Saneeswaran Sthalam

Phone :: 04422631410, 93818 17940 

Timings : 5.30 a.m. -1.00 p.m. -4.00 p.m. -8.30 p.m.

When we wanted to cover the Navagraha temples in Chennai, some suggested doing it a day. Since we wanted to cover it more leisurely, we did on two mornings of two sundays.Our first stop was at Sri Aananda valli Sametha Agatheeswarar Temple, also the remedial sthalam for Sani Bhagavan We also covered Kunrathur Murugan temple when we prayed at Nageswaran temple at Kunrathur.

Saturn God has different phases like Kanda Sani, Janma Sani, Ezharai Sani impacting the devotees. To get relief out of these sins in view of the troubles and hardships caused to others, Sani bhagavan, prayed at this shrine by creating a holy pond called “Nallar Sani Theertham”. He got relieved of his sins and is the prime diety here like Thirunallar. 

There is a practice that people in order to be rid of the adverse impact of God Sani, feed the crows, cattle, dog hoping to get themselves relieved off their sins.

An ancient temple with a swayambu Lingam.  During his return from Himalayas, Agasthya had stayed here for a short period of time prayed the Lord and hence he is known Agastheeswarar and the goddess is Aananthavalli. 

While the God faces east, The Goddess is facing the South in this temple. On 7^th, 8^th & 9^th day of Chithirai month, at the time of sunrise, the rays fall on the lingam inside this temple.

Kundrathur Nageswaran temple - Raahu Sthalam

Phone No: 24780436,  Mobile : 9382889000

Temple timings : 6.30-12.00-5.00-9.00

The king made Sekkizhaar his minister at his capital. Sekkizhaar was an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva and used to regularly worship Lord Shiva at Thirunaageswaram near Kumbakonam when he was the minister of King  Kulothunga Chola

Hence Sekkizhaar built a temple with a magnificent dwajasthambam for Lord Shiva at Kunrathur in line with style of  Thirunaageswaram temple. The deity has a Naagaabaranam (snake as an ornament) around the Shiva Lingam and hence named as Sri Nageswarar. He also has a shrine here.

Known  as Vada Thirunaageswaram, This is one of the Raahu Sthalam among 9 Navagraha Temples of Chennai.  The temple is very vast and looks beautiful. Lord faces east and his consort kamakshi the south..

Parihaarams can be done here for Raahu during Raahu Kethu Peyarchi and also during Raahu Kaalam (4.30 pm to 06.00 pm) on Sundays.

Facing east towards the sanctum and seated in a small stone is Nandhigeswarar 

Sthala Viruksham        - Shenbaga Tree

Theertham                   - Surya Pushkarani

Somangalam Somanatheswar temple - Chandran Sthalam

Phone : 27178330 

Timings : 8.00-10.00-5.00-7.00

In the beautiful village of Somangalam is found an ancient temple for Lord Shiva where the main deity here is Sri Somanaadheeswarar and Goddess is Sri Kamakshi Amman.

This temple is dedicated to Chandran. As a result of  Dhakshan’s curse, Chandran lost his beauty and charm besides his mastery of all arts. He Prayed to Lord Shiva here by creating the Soma Theertham and got back his virtues. Hence the Lord here is called Somanaadheeswarar and the place Somangalam

This temple built by Chola king Kulothunga is a Parihaara for Chandran who has a separate shrine in the temple, facing west.

There are some  interesting inscriptions found in this temple. The inscription refer this place as ‘Jayamkonda Chozha Mandalathu Senkaattu Kottathu Maaganoor Naattu Somangalamaana Rajasigaamani Chathurvedhi Mangalam” as in those the places gifted (tax free) to Vedic Brahmins by ancient kings were called Chathurvedhi Mangalams.

King Somakaanthan wanted to build 108 Shiva temples and when he was in midst of it, His enemies attacked him. The king was unprepared as he had engaged all the people including his army for the temple work and hence prayed to the Lord and on his instructions, Nandhigeswarar turned towards east and blew away the entire army with his forceful breath. He was then made to face east permanently to prevent any further invasion by enemies

There is a separate shrine for Sri Kamakshi Amman, facing south. While Sri Vinayagar, Sri Dhakshinamurthy, Sri Mahavishnu, Sri Brahma, Sri Durgai and Sri Sandigeswarar are on the outer walls, Subramanyar and Bhairavar have separate shrines on the outer praakaaram.

Lord Natarajar here is seen in a very unique form of Chathura Thaandava Murthy. Chozha architecture is famous for building in Gajabrishta style and the sanctum is here is of that style looking like the back of a sleeping elephant.

Sarakkonrai is the sthala vriksham with a small lingam below called Viruksha Lingam. The image of a tree is also found carved on stone above this Lingam.

Jyeshta Devi considered to be the elder sister of Sri Mahalakshmi, evolving earlier to Sri Mahalakshmi at the time the ocean was churned, is also seen.

Sandigesware created the Theertham here and hence called Sandigeswara Theertham.  Soma Theertham created by Moon God is also present near the temple.

Kunrathur Murugan temple

Phone : 044 - 24780436.

Timings : 6.00-1.00-3.30-8.30

After conquering the demons in Tiruporur, Lord Muruga on the way to Tiruthani after his battle with the demons in tiruporur, installed a Shiva Linga and did pooja. Kulothunga Chozha built the Kandleeswarar temple later. 

The unique design of the sanctum sanctorum is such that the devotee can see the Lord alone if he/she is just in front of the shrine. Looked at the shrine from either side, we can have darshan of the Lord either with Mother Valli or Mother Deivanai. Seen are the Dwarapalakas (securities) at the entrance holding the weapons Vajram and trident. The Prasad here is abishek Vibhuti (sacred ash).

As this is the birth place of Sekkizhar, the author of Peria Puranam, a temple has been built at the foot of the hills.

During the Skanda Sashti festival, demon Surapanma is destroyed on the sixth day, valli wedding on 7^th and Deivanai on the 8^th.  As the place has a hill (Kundru in Tamil), it is named Kundrathur.

Temples of Tamilnadu - 39 - Navagraha Temples in Chennai - Day 2

Porur Ramanatheswarar Temple - Guru Sthalam

Phone ; 24829955

Timings : 6.00 a.m. - 11.30 p.m. -5.00 p.m. -8.30 p.m.

Sri Rama had a Dhosham when His feet came in contact with the Lingam. He did penance to Lord Shiva for 48 days with an Amla fruit as his food, to obsolve off the Dhosham and to bring out the Shiva Lingam. Lord Shiva pleased with Sri Rama’s penance came out from the earth and offered Rama his Viswaroopa Dharshan. Overwhelmed Sri Rama named the Shiva Lingam as Sri Ramanadheswarar and worshipped Him. Goddess Parvathi too appeared and gave Dharshan to Sri Rama as Sri Sivakama Sundhari. Sri Rama through his prayers got the directions to srilanka where Sri Sita was kept under custody by Ravana.

Since Sri Rama worshipped Lord Shiva as His Guru, this place became a Guru Sthalam among 9 Navagraha Temples of Chennai. Here Lord Shiva Himself is worshipped as Sri Guru Bhagavan. Also called Uthara Raameswaram, as Sri Rama worshipped Lord Shiva here, as was done by Sri Rama in  Rameswaram.

                                       

It is believed that those who are not able to undertake pilgrimage to Raameswaram could visit this place. The Huge deity Sri Ramanaadheswarar is beautiful besides being a Swayambhu Lingam (self evolved). Goddess Sivakama Sundari has a separate shrine in the temple.

Built in Gajabrishta shape or Thoongaanai Maadam is a unique feature of Chozha temple architecture. There is no Rajagopuram.

Sri Sandigeswarar is near Nandhi facing south. This is probably the only Shiva temple, where Theertham and Sadaari are offered to the devotees which is normally common to Vishnu temples. The Sthala Viruksham Vembu (Neem tree) is on the southern side of the praakaaram.

Poonamallee Vaitheeswaran Temple - Angaragan sthalam

Phone : 044-26491444  

Timings 6.00-1.00-4.00-9.00

Also called Uthira Vaitheeswaran koil, this temple at Poondhamalli or Poonamallee, which is more than 1000 years old, has Sri Vaidheeswarar and Goddess Sri Thaiyyal Naayagi as main deities.

This huge temple with vast courtyards temple is one among the Navagraha temples for Angaaragan who it is said worshipped Lord Shiva at this place.

It is similar to the Vaidheeswaran Koil near Kumbakonam, which is one of the Navagraha Sthalam for Chevvai. It’s a Doshi Nivarthi sthalam with Tuesday being auspicious for Poojas at this temple.

Just outside the sanctum under the Panai (Palm) tree sculpted on stone is Sri Angaaragan’s Paadham (foot mark)

The temple is so huge with very vast prakaarams. The main deity is faces east while the Goddess faces south.

Dhakshinamurthy, Brahma, Subramanyar, Sandigeswarar and Durgai are in Inner prakaram. The 3 Chakras installed by Sri Aadhi Sankarar called Sri Chakram, Subramanya Chakram and Shanmuga Chakram are seen here.

Baana Lingam installed facing the entrance is in the north. The temple has its main entrance and Rajagopuram facing north. There is also an entrance on the east

Thaazhi Panai Maram (Palm tree) is the sthala vriksham.  On the east is the temple pond (Vinai Theertha Kulam).

On the 21st to 25th days of Maasi, Sun’s rays directly fall on the main deity around 6 am in the morning. Surya Pooja happens in this temple in the Thamizh month ‘Maasi’. 

Velleeswarar temple - Sukhran Sthalam

Phone : 26272053,  

Mobile ; 9444461383  

Timings :  6.30 a.m.-1.00 p.m. -4.30 p.m.-9.00 p.m.

Dedicated to Lord Shiva as Velleeswarar, it is Navagraha Sthalam for Sukran (Venus).  Like the Agneeswarar Temple at Kanjanur near Kumbakonam, located at Mangadu, The Velleeswarar Temple is the Sukran Sthalam in chennai

When Goddess Sri Kamakshi performed Thapas in Maangaadu, Lord Shiva came down to earth to give dharshan and marry Her. When Sri Kamakshi came  have dharshan of Lord, she found Sukran worshipping the Lord. Not wanting to disturb is pooja, she went back. Since Sukran worshipped the Lord here, he is known as Sri Velleeswarar. 

Sri Sukran blesses people with wealth, prosperity, good family, vehicles, fame and social status.

The main deity is big and grand with Ganesha and Murugan on either side of the entrance of the sanctum. Lord Ganesha with a Mango in His hand is called ‘Maangani Vinayagar’. 

Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu are present on either side of Lingothbavar worshipping Him.

There is a separate shrine for Sri Veerabadhrar, who was created by Lord Shiva to defeat Dhakshan.

A very beautiful Subramanyar with His consorts Valli and Dhevasena are seen made of a single stone. Peacock is present outside the shrine facing the shrine.

Nandhi is present outside the sanctum santorum. People visiting Sri Kamakshi Amman temple should also visit Velleeswarar temple and  Vaikunda Perumaal temple in Mangadu.  .

Kovur Sundareswarar Temple - Budhan Sthalam

Ph : 24780124 

 Timings : 7.00 a.m.-12.00 noon -4.00 p.m.-8.00 p.m.

The Kovur temple for Lord Shiva was built by Kulothunga Chozha, The main deity are Lord Sundhareswarar & Goddess Soundharaambigai

The intensity of Goddess Kamakshi’s  thapas on Panchagni (fire) for  Lord Shiva to marry Her made all living beings suffer because of enormous heat. Since Lord Shiva was meditating, all the celestial beings worshipped Lord Vishnu to save the world from the heat of the penance who directed  Mahalakshmi to save the world.

Goddess Sri Mahalakshmi, in the form of a cow,  worshipped Lord Shiva and made Him open the eyes and saved the world.

Because  Mahalakshmi worshipped in cow form, the place was called  and later as Kovur. With a 7 tiered Rajagopuram, This temple is known for Budhan worship.

The deities Lord Sri Sundhareswarar and Goddess Sri Soundharaambigai look beautiful and hence the name. Worshipping here will cure one of ailments

Saint Thyagaraja has visited this temple on his way to Thirupathi. A local headman asked the saint to sing some songs on him. Thyagarajar refused and left, saying that he will sing praise only of the Lord.

While going from Kovur, when his palanquin was obstructed by a group of bandits who threw stones on the palanquin, he explained that he was a saint on his pilgrimage to thriupathi and not rich. When the bandits asked him who are the two youngsters who threw  stones back at them. He realized that they were none other than Sri Rama and Sri Lakshmana who came to his rescue.

Realizing the holy power of the place, he came back to Kovur temple and sung 5 compositions (Keerthanas) called ‘Kovur Pancharathnam’. When the local headman though that it was sung in praise of him, he explained him that the 5 compositions were made in praise of the Lord Sri Sundhareswarar and not the individual called Sundhareswaran.

This is one of the few places where he had composed Keerthanas on other Gods. Sekkizhaar, started writing ‘Periya Puranam’ from this temple.

The rare Maha Vilvam in this temple with medicinal properties has each stalk of Maha Vilvam has 27 leaves to it. Siva Gangai Theertham is the temple theertham

Gerugambakkam Neelakantheswarar Temple - Kethu Sthalam

Phone : 24780124

Timings : 6.00 a.m.-12.00 noon-6.00 p.m.-8.00 p.m.

This temple is devoted to Kethu with a separate shrine for him. A Parihaara Sthalam for people who have ill effects in their lives because of Kethu’s position in their Horoscope.

The main deity Sri Neelakandeswarar is located in beautiful sanctum. He is also known as Neelakandeswarar, for having swallowed the Aala Kaala Visham.

It is believed  that the Nandhi absorbed the poisonous breath of the Lord after He consumed poison.

A beautiful Aadhi Kamakshi seen here is believed to be the first among 5 forms of Kamakshi.

In this Parihara sthalam, there are carvings of image of snake on the ceiling of Navagraha shrine.

The temple looks semi finished with an old pond adjacent.

Kolapakkam Agastheeswarar Temple - Suryan Sthalam

Phone : 9976596342

Timings : 7.00-11.00-4.00-8.00

The main deity are Sri Agatheeswarar (also called Sri Vaakeesa Mahadhevar) and Goddess Sri Aanandhavalli at this beautiful Shiva temple at Kolappakkam. This is one of the Navagraha sthalam dedicated to Suryan. All the important deities of this temples face Surya Bhagavan shrine.

Worshipping Sri Surya Bhagavan on Sunday, by offering red cloth, red flowers and wheat gives success to one in all his life deeds. Here Surya Bhagavan, Sage Agasthiyar  and Vakeesa Muni had worshipped Lord Shiva. Sri Agatheeswarar is seen facing east. Ambaal Sri Aanandhavalli is facing south and is in standing posture. Nandhi is seen facing the Lord towards east

Ganesh,  Dhakshinamurthy,  Mahavishnu,  Durgai and  Sandigeswarar are seen around the sanctum.

It is very effective to worship Bhairavar here for 6 consecutive weeks particularly on Sunday. Offering Special Poojas and Abishegams to Sri Kaala Bhairavar every Sunday during Raahu Kaalam (4.30 pm to 6 pm) timings as it is considered to take care all wishes one might have in life.

King Aadhithyan is said to have done renovations to the temple during 878 AD. Raja Raja Chozha I, Raja Raja Chozha II (1152 AD), Kulothunga Chozha III (1188 AD), Sundara Pandiyan (1200 AD), Veera Rajendra Chozha, a Telugu Chozha king called Vijayakanda Gopala have contributed much according to the inscriptions found in the temple.

Ruins of a Buddhist shrine near the temple have also been. Buddha statues and pillars discovered near this temple have been kept near the temple. A carving of Lord Ganesha is also found on one of these pillars. It is believed that Sri Vijaya Maharaja, who visited the Buddhist temple at Kolappaakkam, could have also visited Agatheeswarar temple and made donations to the temple..

The Sthala Viruksham is ‘Arasa Maram’ (Peepul tree) and Theertham is ‘Amirtha Pushkarani’.