Uthiramerur Sri Sundara Varadhar

Uthiramerur village is located about 85 kms from Chennai off the GST Road. This is an ancient village well known for its temples, architecture, sculptures and stone inscriptions.

The main temple here is for Sri Sundara Varadaraja Perumal which is said to be built in 750 AD during Pallava rule. A king called Nandivarma Pallavan has donated this whole town to 1200 vedic scholars who settled down here. Those days this place was called as Uthiramerur Chaturvedhimangalam.

Later it has been renovated by Rajendra Chola in 1013 AD and again renovated by Krishnadevaraya in 1520 AD.

Lord Vishnu is generally seen in either of the 3 forms, Ninraan (நின்றான் - Perumal in standing posture), Irundhaan (இருந்தான் - Perumal in sitting posture) or Kidandhaan (கிடந்தான் - Perumal in reclining posture like Ranganathar)

This is one of the few temples where you can have dharshan of Perumal in all his 3 forms.

The sanctum is built in such a way that all 3 forms of Lord Vishnu are set one above the other as 3 levels or floors.

The presiding deity is Sri Sundara Varadaraja Perumal here in standing posture along with Sri Devi and Bhoodevi in the first level.

There is a staircase on which one can climb with much ease to go to the next floor, just above the main sanctum. In this next level Sri Vaikunda Varadhar is seen in the sitting posture.

While climbing up to the next level there is Sri Parthasarathy preaching Gita to Arjuna on the outer wall facing south. Lord Narasimha is present on the outer wall facing west and Sri Varaha Perumal with Lakshmi facing North. Here Varahar is in sitting posture with Sri Lakshmi sitting on his lap looking at Varahar's face in a praying gesture.

There is also Sri Dhakshinamurthy on the tomb facing south which is unusual in Vaishnavite temples.

In the third (upper most) level the Lord is in reclining posture on Aadhiseshan as Sri Ranganathar. Lord Brahma is seen on a Lotus emerging from Ranganathar’s navel. Lord Shiva is seen near the feet of the deity with the Deer and Mazhu (a weapon) on his hands.

Lord Ranganatha is seen blessing Markandeya Rishi with his right hand. Bhoodevi is in a praying gesture standing opposite Markandeya.

Other than these three, there are other deities called Achudha Varadhar, Aniruddha Varadhar and Kalyana Varadhar in the 3 sides of the prakaaram.

It is said that Pandavas during their Agnanavaasam where they hid themselves and roamed around in forests have visited here and worshipped Lord here. It is said that Sundara Varadhar was worshipped by Yudhishtira, Vaikunda Varadhar by Bheema, Achudha Varadhar by Arjuna, Aniruddha Varadhar by Nakula and Kalyana Varadhar by Sahadeva.

All the above 5 Gods are the principal deities here, though Sundara Varadhar remain the main deity.

It is also said that Pandavas lost their power and wisdom and after worshipping here, they gained all their power back.

This is one of and most ancient and wonderful temples filled with architectural brilliance with great sculptures all around.

Uthiramerur is also known as the birth place of democracy. The stone inscriptions in this town explains how constitutions were laid for democratic administration and also about electoral systems etc., People here have followed the election system called “Kudavolai” system for electing their favorite leaders in the local elections and the rules for nominating in elections and the voting systems which is the fore runner for today’s electoral systems.

Aazhwaars like Thirumazhisai Aazhwaar, Thirumangai Aazhwaar, Poigai Aazhwaar & Peyazhwaar have composed hymns on this temple.

Uthiramerur is well connected by road with buses plying from Chennai and Kanchipuram.

A must visit place for the lovers of temples, culture and heritage.

Vedasreni Sri Dhandeeswarar

This wonderful temple is located in Chennai on the way from Saidapet towards Pallikaranai.

Legend
During Threthayugam, an Asura by name Somugasura stole away all the 4 Vedas and kept them under his custody, for which Lord Vishnu took Matsyavatar and killed the demon and retrieved the Vedas and handed them over to Brahma.

As the Vedas were under the Asura’s custody, there were caught by Asura Dhosha. As per Brahma’s advice all 4 Vedas came to this Kshethra, installed the Murthy of Lord Shiva and worshipped Him.

As 4 Vedas worshipped here the place here came to be known as Vedasreni, which is today’s Velachery. It is also beleived that, as these Vedas and many other sages performed Yagnas (Velvi in Tamil) here, the place got it's name as Velvichery which turned out to be Velachery today.

According to another legend, in Dwaparayugam, lived Markandeya, son of Sage Mrigandu and an ardent Shiva Bhaktha.

As Markandeya’s life span was determined to be 16 years, Yama came to him on time to take his life away. Frightened young boy hugged the Shiva Linga surrendering to Lord Shiva. Yama threw his rope (Paasakkayiru in Thamizh) on Markandeya which fell on him as well as Lord Shiva’s idol.

By this act of his, Lord Shiva got angry with Yama and took off his Dhanda (Yama’s weapon). Yama, as per Sage Naradha’s advice came to Vedasreni and formed a Theertham (Pond) and worshipped Lord Shiva here.

Hence, the temple pond here is known as Yama Theertham.

As Yama worshipped to get back his weapon (Dhanda), Lord Shiva here is called as Dhandeeswarar.

The temple is believed to be built during the 11th century. Many inscriptions of Chola Dynasty during 11th Century are seen here.

This ancient temple is located on the Velachery Road. Godess is Karunambigai. Yoga Dhakshinamurthy is present here in unusual posture. Other deities are Sri Chandrasekarar, Sri Mahalakshmi, Sri Saraswarthi, Sri Subramanyar, Sri Brahma, Godess Durga, Mahavishnu, Lord Sokkanathar and Meenakshi, Sri Vaitheeswarar and Sri Mahavishnu.

Pradhosham days are celebrated well in this temple. Though along the main road, the temple has a very calm ambience and one can feel the divine vibrations here.