Koyambedu Sri Vaikundavaasa Perumaal

Koyambedu is situated at the north western side of Chennai. An ancient temple for Lord Vishnu is located in Koyambedu where the main deity is Sri Vaikundavaasa Perumaal and Goddess Sri Kanagavalli Thaayaar. This temple lies adjacent to Sri Kurungaaleeswarar temple and both forming twin temples in Koyambedu.

It is also said that the names of this place in ancient days were as Kosai Nagar, Koyattipuram and Prayachithapuram. Kulothunga Chozha is said to have ruled in the 12th Century and hence it is said that the temple was constructed during his period.

It is said that Lava and Kusa, sons of Sri Rama stayed with Sage Valmiki in his Ashram here, along with their mother Sita Devi. It is said that Sri Vaikundavaasa Perumaal here was worshipped by Sage Valmiki, Lava and Kusa.

Usually, Vaikunda Perumaal temples will have the presiding deity in sitting posture. But here Perumaal is seen in standing posture along with Sri Devi and Bhu Devi.

This temple is also famous for its shrine for Sri Rama and Sita Devi. Sri Rama and Sita are found just outside the sanctum unusually on normal clothing instead of being dressed like King and Queen. Sita Devi is seen on a regular Saree with her hair do (called Kodaali Kondai) as an ordinary woman. It is made to signify their posture when they spent 14 years in the forest.

In another place, Sita Devi is also seen as a pregnant woman, as She gave birth to Lava and Kusa at Sage Valmiki’s Ashram, after She was exiled to forest.

Goddess Sri Kanagavalli Thaayaar is present in a separate shrine on the outer praakaaram at the southwest side of the temple. Goddess is so beautiful, decorated with all Her ornaments.

Sri Aandaal shrine is located at the northwest corner of the temple.

There are 3 trees uniquely grown very close to each other. There is one Vilvam tree between 2 neem trees on its either sides. It is said that Vilvam signifies Lord Shiva and one of the Neem tree represents Sri Parvathi and another Neem tree signifies Her brother Lord Vishnu. It is believed that it is like the wedding posture of Lord Shiva where Lord Vishnu presides over their marriage by joining their hands together. A Vilvam and Neem tree inside a Vaishnavite temple is a very rare sight.

There is a separate shrine for Sri Anjaneyar at the opposite side of the temple, where Sri Anjaneyar is seen facing west towards the temple.

The theertham for this temple is ‘Lava Kusa Theertham’ which is believed to have been created by the two sons of Sri Rama. The same tank serves as Theertham for Sri Kurungaaleeswarar temple, which lies just adjacent to this temple.

There are many beautiful sculptures all around the temple.

Koyambedu, apart from CMBT has these great twin temples, to form a divine pilgrimage center.

Koyambedu Sri Kurungaaleeswarar

Koyambedu is situated at the north western side of Chennai. An ancient temple for Lord Shiva is located in Koyambedu where the main deity is Sri Kurungaaleeswarar and Goddess Sri Dharmasamvardhani (also called Aram Valartha Naayagi).

Inscriptions which date back to Kulothunga Chozha III and Vijayanagara kings, informs about various contributions made to the temple. Inscriptions also reveal the political bifurcation of the place as Kulothunga Chozha Valanadu, part of Puliyur Kottam belonging to Jayankonda Chozha Mandalam.

It is also said that the names of this place in ancient days were as Kosai Nagar, Koyattipuram and Prayachithapuram. Kulothunga Chozha is said to have ruled in the 12th Century and hence it is said that the temple was constructed during his period.

The main deity Sri Kurungaaleeswarar is also called as Sri Kusalavapureeswarar. It is said that Lava and Kusa, sons of Sri Rama stayed with Sage Valmiki in his Ashram along with their mother Sita Devi.

There are few other places too in and around Chennai like Thiruvaanmiyur and Siruvapuri, where Sage Valmiki had his Ashram when Lava and Kusa stayed with him.

The legend of this temple connects to Ramayana period, when Sita Devi was sent to forest by Sri Rama. Sita was under the care of Sage Sri Valmiki during that period and also gave birth to her 2 sons Lava and Kusa.

When Sri Rama sent the Aswamedha horse around the country, Lava and Kusa brought the horse to their custody. Without knowing that it was His sons who captured the horse, Sri Rama sent Lakshmana who fought a battle with them. As Lava and Kusa fought against their own uncle, they acquired a Dhosham called Gothra Dhosham. To be relieved of it, it is said that, they installed and worshipped Lord Shiva in this place.

The presiding deity Sri Kurungaaleeswarar is too small as it was installed by two small kids. This wonderful temple has stood strong across centuries and still has not lost its originality.

There are beautiful stone pillared praakaarams around the sanctum. Another beautiful stone pillared Mandapam is found in front of the temple, in which Sri Sarabeswarar is seen on one of the pillars facing west. Special Poojas are performed to Sri Sarabeswarar on all Sundays during Raahu Kaalam.
At the outer praakaaram Sri Vinayagar shrine is located at the south west corner of the temple.

Sri Visaalaakshi Samedha Sri Kaasi Viswanathar shrine and Sri Valli Devasena Samedha Sri Subramanyar shrine are located adjacent to each other behind the sanctum.

Sri Nandhigeswarar is seen on the outer praakaaram facing the presiding deity.

The temple also maintains a beautiful garden (Nandhavanam) along the outer praakaaram.

Ambaal Sri Dharmasamvardhani is beautiful and is seen in standing posture.

The Sthala Viruksham for this temple is ‘Palaa Maram’ (Jack tree) which is located on the outer praakaram.

The theertham for this temple is called Lava Kusa Theertham which is believed to have been created by the two sons of Sri Rama.

There are many beautiful sculptures all around the temple and on the pillars.

Few of them are Sri Rama performing Pooja to Lord Shiva, Lord Shiva punishing Yama to save Markandeyan and Kannappa Naayanar.

There is another temple adjacent to which is dedicated to Maha Vishnu called Sri Vaikunda Vaasa Perumal temple, which is again formed by Lava and Kusa.

Wonderful temple and worth visiting.

Siruvapuri Sri Balasubramanyar

Siruvapuri is located about 40 kms from Chennai on Chennai Kolkata highway. The temple is located about 3 kms off the highway.

History of the temple has that Lava and Kusa, the sons of Rama lived in this place. Once when Rama was passing this place, they have fought a war with Rama himself without knowing that he was their father.

As the young children waged a war here, the place was called as Siruvar Por Puri. (Siruvar means children, Por Puri means waging a war, in Thamizh). This place is now called as Chinnambedu, which originally was Siruvar Ambu Edu (Children who took their arrows for the fight).

Some hundreds of years back there lived a lady called Murugammai in this village. She had been a very ardent devotee of Lord Muruga here. She always used to chant His name and praying Him, for years. Her husband who didn’t like her worshipping all the time was warning her to stop it. But she never listened to him and her husband one day cut her arms off out of anger.

Even then, Murugammai cried for help only with Lord Muruga. The Lord who was pleased with her Bhakthi, made her hands join even without the signs of any wound.

Lord Muruga here is called Sri Balasubramanyar and is said to be powerful, granting the wishes of devotees.

This beautiful temple also has Sri Annamalaiyar (Lord Shiva) and Sri Unnamulai Amman.

The Utsava moorthy of Lord Muruga is seen as Valli Manalar in a wedding posture with Sri Valli.

Lord Muruga here is believed to grant wishes for those intend to buy or construct a house. Many people who wish to buy a house visit Lord Muruga here for blessings to fulfill their wish.

An unique feature of this temple is the Maragatha Mayil (Peacock) the carrier of Lord Muruga made of Green stone.

Arunagirinathar is seen just near the sanctum facing the Lord. Arunagirinathar has visited this temple and sung many Thiruppugazh songs here. He also has composed an Archanai Thiruppugazh on Lord Muruga, which if recited fulfils ones wishes.

Other deities are Maragatha Vinayakar, Aadhi Murugar, Naagar, Venkatrayar, Muniswaraar, Bairavar etc.,