Maangaadu Sri Velleeswarar

Maangaadu is a small beautiful village located at the outskirts of Chennai near Poondhamalli. While going from Chennai city on Mount Poondhamalli road, one has to take left from Kumananchaavadi junction to reach Maangaadu.

This temple is located very close to Maangaadu Sri Kamakshi Amman temple. This is a very ancient and beautiful temple for Lord Shiva. The main deity here is Sri Velleeswarar. There is no Ambaal in this temple, as Sri Kamakshi Amman is present nearby.

According to the legend, when Goddess Sri Kamakshi performed Thapas here in Maangaadu, Lord Shiva came down to earth to give dharshan to Her and marry Her. It is said that, Sri Sukran (Venus) worshipped Lord Shiva here. When Sri Kamakshi came here to have dharshan of Lord Shiva, she saw Sri Sukran worshipping the Lord. The Goddess went back as She did not want to disturb the prayers of Sukran.

Later Lord Shiva directed the Goddess to come to Kanchipuram and married Her there. As Sri Sukran (Velli in Thamizh) worshipped Lord Shiva here, the Lord came to be known as Sri Velleeswarar and also called as Sri Bhaargaveswarar.

This temple is Sukran Sthalam among the Navagraha Temples of Chennai (or Thondai Mandalam). Sri Sukran blesses people with wealth, prosperity, good family, vehicles, fame and social status.

The main deity Sri Velleeswarar is huge and looks very grand, facing east. Lord Ganesha and Lord Muruga are seen at either side of the entrance of the sanctum. Lord Ganesha here is holding a Mango fruit in His hand and is called ‘Maangani Vinayagar’. The place Maangaadu itself had got its name as it was once a vast Mango forest.

Lingothbavar is seen on the outer wall behind the sanctum. Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu are present on either side of Lingothbavar worshipping Him.

There is a separate shrine for Sri Veerabadhrar behind the sanctum. Sri Veerabadhrar is said to have got created from the sweat of Lord Shiva to defeat Dhakshan.

Sri Subramanyar shrine is present at the North West side of the outer praakaaram. Sri Subramanyar is so beautiful and seen with His consorts Sri Valli and Sri Dhevasena. All the 3 deities are made of a single stone. Lord Muruga’s Vaahanam (carrier) peacock is present outside the shrine facing the shrine.

A beautiful Nandhi is present outside the sanctum, facing towards west. It is said that people visiting Sri Kamakshi Amman temple should also have dharshan at Sri Velleeswarar temple and Sri Vaikunda Perumaal temple in Maangaadu, as all these three temples are interconnected with the history of Sri Kamakshi Amman.

Somangalam Sri Somanaadheeswarar

Somangalam lies at about 35 kms south west of Chennai city. One can take the route from Tambaram via Kishkinta to reach Somangalam. The better alternative is to take the road from Pallavaram going to Kunrathur. After reaching Kunrathur junction, one has to take left (towards south) to reach Somangalam. Somangalam is about 10 kms from Kunrathur. Also plenty of busses ply from Porur directly to Somangalam.

Somangalam is an ancient, beautiful village having a temple for Lord Shiva. The main deity here is Sri Somanaadheeswarar and Goddess Sri Kamakshi Amman.

This temple is one of the Navagraha temples of Chennai (or Thondai Mandalam) devoted to Sri Chandra Bhagavan (Moon God). According to legend, once, Sri Chandra Bhagavan (also called Soman) is said to have got cursed by Dhakshan. As a result, he lost his divine charm and forgot all 16 form of arts he acquired. To come out of this, He is said to have created a pond here called Soma Theertham and worshipped Lord Shiva here. After this, he got back his beauty and wisdom. As Sri Soman (Sri Chandra Bhagavan) worshipped the Lord here, Lord Shiva here is called Somanaadheeswarar and the place came to be known as Somangalam.

This temple is a Parihaara Sthalam for those having any Dhosham related to Chandra Bhagavan. Sri Chandra Bhagavan has a separate shrine in the temple, facing west.

This temple is said to have been built by Kulothunga Chozha in 1073 AD during his 3rd year of reign. According to inscriptions found here, this place was referred as ‘Jayankonda Chozha Mandalathu Senkaattu Kottathu Maaganoor Naattu Somangalamaana Rajasigaamani Chathurvedhi Mangalam” (ஜெயங்கொண்ட சோழமண்டலத்து செங்காட்டுக்கோட்டத்து மாகனூர் நாட்டு சோமங்கலமான ராஜசிகாமணிச் சதுர்வேதிமங்கலம்). Those days the places gifted (tax free) to Vedic Brahmins by ancient kings were called Chathurvedhi Mangalams.

The inscriptions found in the temple also reveal the information about the local lake which got damaged and about the repair works done to it. Also, there is information about the cows donated to the temple to fetch revenue to light the lamps in the temple, every evening.

There lived a king called Somakaanthan in this part of the country, who wished to build 108 Shiva temples throughout his country. While he was in the middle of the construction work for this temple, he had his enemies marching towards his territory for war. The king was shocked to hear this, because he was never prepared for a war at that time and had engaged all his soldiers in the temple construction work.

With much grief, he prayed Lord Shiva here to save him. Lord Shiva was pleased with his devotion in constructing the temple, directed Sri Nandhigeswarar to fight against the king’s enemy. Nandhi turned towards east and blew away the entire troupes of the enemy just with his forceful breath. Lord Shiva made Nandhi to face east permanently to make sure that there were no further attacks to the king’s country by enemies.

Here one can see Nandhi unusually facing east instead of facing the Lord in the sanctum. This is one of the very unique features of this temple.

Ambaal Sri Kamakshi Amman has a separate shrine in the temple, facing south.

Lord Natarajar here is present as Chathura Thaandava Murthy which is again very unique and rarely seen anywhere.

The sanctum is built in Gajabrishta shape or Thoongaanai Maadam (தூங்கானை மாடம்) type which is popular in Chozha architecture. Such structures would look like the back of a sleeping elephant.

Sri Vinayagar, Sri Dhakshinamurthy, Sri Mahavishnu, Sri Brahma, Sri Durgai and Sri Sandigeswarar are seen on the outer walls of the sanctum.

The other deities like Sri Valli Devasena Samedha Sri Subramanyar and Sri Bhairavar have separate shrines on the outer praakaaram.

The Sthala Viruksham for this temple is Sarakkonrai Maram which is found on the northern side of the sanctum. There is a small shrine having small Shiva Lingam below this tree and is called Viruksha Lingam. An image of a tree is carved on stone above this Lingam.

A few dilapidated idols are seen near Sthala Viruksham.

In the southern side of the outer Praakaaram Saptha Maathaas are seen in a row along the walls, in which Sri Jyeshta Devi is also present. Sri Jyeshta Devi is said to be the elder sister of Sri Mahalakshmi, who evolved earlier to Sri Mahalakshmi when the mighty ocean was churned.

The Theertham for this temple is said to be Sandeeswara Theertham, which is believed to be created by Sri Sandigeswarar. Another Theertham is Soma Theertham, which was created by Moon God is present a little away from the temple.

The temple is strictly closed between 12 pm and 4 pm. This beautiful temple surely has lots within itself for temple lovers.

Maangaadu Sri Kamakshi Amman

Maangaadu is a small beautiful village located at the outskirts of Chennai near Poonamallee.

As per the legend, one day in Kailash, Parvathi Devi playfully closed the eyes of Lord Shiva from behind, with her palms. As a result of this, the whole universe was surrounded with darkness and all the living beings suffered. Lord Shiva became angry and the Goddess craved for his pardon.

Lord Shiva guided her to the earth and asked her to perform a severe penance to join him again. As per the God’s instructions she came down to earth and reached this place of dense Mango grove called Maangaadu. (means ‘Mango forest’ in Thamizh)

She started her rigorous penance here in the standing posture on the Panchagni (Fire). She stood one legged on Panchagni with right leg folded. She was holding her right hand raised above her head holding the Japamala (Rudraksha). Even today we can see this Moorthi of Sri Tapas Kamakshi at Maangaadu.

This Panchagni Sadhana is not an easy task. This Panchagni penance is performed to kill five evils which dominate people and lead to misery. The five evils are Kama (Desire), Krodha (Anger), Lobha (Greed), Madha (Ego) & Maacharya (Attachment). If one wins over all these five they can attain the supreme bliss.

Lord Shiva, who was happy with her penance, came down to earth to marry her. He gave dharshan to her in Maangaadu and married her at Kanchipuram, where even today they both bless the devotees at Ekambareswarar Temple.

There is a temple for Lord Shiva where he came down to meet her. This temple is Velleeswarar Temple located nearby Kamakshi Amman Temple.

Also there is another temple for Lord Vishnu (Vaikunda Perumal temple) in Mangadu. It is said that Lord Vishnu, being the brother of Goddess Parvati came for the wedding with Kanayazhi (gem stone ring) for Parvati as his gift (சீர் வரிசை) is still waiting here, as the wedding didn't happen at Mangadu.

Even after Goddess left the place, the power of the Agni didn’t subside, out of which the whole place in and around Maangaadu suffered with unbearable heat and the Ugram of the Goddess.

Sri Aadhi Sankaracharya, during his visit here, installed an Ardhameru Sri Chakra and brought down the heat and ugram of the place. This Sri Chakra is a rare of its kind in the country and not seen anywhere else.

Even today, no abhishekams are performed to the Sri Chakra as it contains rare herbs. Only Kumkuma Archana is performed that too only to the Sri Chakra and not the idol, as the powers of Sri Kamakshi Amman has been instilled in the Chakra by Sri Aadhi Sankaracharya.

The idol Sri Aadhi Kamakshiamman made of Panchaloha (5 metals) was installed by Sri Kanchi Paramacharya Swami in the later years.

Six weeks worships are very popular here. The devotee who has some prarthana or wish can choose any one day of the week and to visit the temple along with 2 lemons, of which one will be retained at the temple and the other one has to be taken back home.

Again the following week, on the same day, he or she has to carry the old lemon from home along with 2 other fresh lemons. Like wise, if one visits on the same day for six weeks continuously, the Ambaal grants the wishes of the devotee.

Golden Chariot is very popular here which is pulled everyday between 6.30 and 7.30 pm.

Maangaadu is just 24 kms from Chennai city and is located off the Chennai Bangalore highway on the way from Poonamallee to Kunrathur.

Temple Address:
Mangadu Sri Kamakshi Amman Devasthanam, Mangadu, Chennai – 602101. Tel: 91 44 26272053. email : mangadukamakshi@sancharnet.in