Ponneri Sri Agatheeswarar

 Ponneri is a small town in Thiruvallur district, located about 38 kms north western side of Chennai. From Chennai, one has to drive past the Padi junction on Chennai - Kolkata highway to reach Thachur cross roads (koot road). From Thachur cross road junction, one has to take right turn and drive about 5 kms to reach Ponneri.

Ponneri has an ancient temple for Lord Shiva by which is said to be over 2500 years old. The main deity here is Sri Agastheeswarar and Goddess Sri Anandavalli.

According to the legend, the Lord here is said to have been worshipped by the ancient sage Sri Agasthiyar himself. The ancient name of this place is Kumbamuni Mangalam. Sage Agasthiar is also known as Kumbamuni, as he once collected the whole of river Cauvery into his holy pot (Kamandalam) to bring down the force of the river.

It is said that Sage Agasthiar had stayed in this place for years while he was travelling in the Southern part of India. Sage Agasthiyar was caught with severe stomach ache while he was passing this side and he found this temple, stayed here and worshipped the Lord to get relieved of his pain. The Lord who was pleased with his prayers appeared to him and relieved him from his pains.

Since, sage Agasthiyar worshipped the Lord here; the God came to be known as Sri Agatheeswarar. One can see a lot of temples in this part of Tamilnadu in which the main deity Lord Shiva is called as Agastheeswarar. It is said that Sage Agasthya installed and worshipped about 108 Shiva Lingas in various places here and the 108th Shiva Linga being Sri Ashtotheeswarar (or Nootretteeswarar which means 108th Shiva) at Chinnakkaavanam near this town Ponneri.

The temple is built on a very vast land and is highly scenic and beautiful, which has stood strong across centuries. The temple is facing east and has a wonderful 3 tiered Rajagopuram which welcomes us into the temple.

There is a beautiful pond outside the temple which is called Agasthya Theertham which serves as the Theertham for the temple. 

There is a grand Dwajasthambham (flag post) at the outer praahaaram of the temple once we enter the temple.

There is an ancient Nandhi in a small mandapam just in front of the Dhwajasthambham facing the west towards the sanctum.

A wonderful stone mandapam with multiple pillars and meticulous carvings is present in front of the Nandhi, which takes us towards the sanctum.

The Lord Sri Agastheeswarar is present in the sanctum with divine silence and excellent vibrations. The sanctum is built in Gajabrishta shape (also called Thoongaanai Maadam), which is in the shape of the back of a sleeping elephant. This type of architecture is seen in many of the temples built by the Chozha kings.

Goddess Sri Anandavalli is seen adjacent to the sanctum with a motherly smile showing lots of grace and mercy to the worshippers. The Dwarapaalikaas statues are found guarding the Goddess’s shrine near the entrance on either side.

Lord Dhakshinamurthy (Guru) is seen facing south on the outer wall of the sanctum.

This temple has received many donations in form of lands and gold during the Chola period. There are sculptures of Raja Raja Chola 1 on the pillars.

Also there are images of Rajendra Chola and Mummudi Chola on the pillars, which have visited the temple during various periods and offered lots of grants to this temple for renovation and maintenance.

There is also an image of one of the later Vijayanagara Kings which is present on the pillars of the mandapam. This temple also has received various grants and patronage by Vijayanagara kings.

In one of the pillars, sage Agasthiar is also carved to mark his stay here and his penance towards Lord Sri Agastheeswarar.

The outer praahaaram is huge and peaceful with pleasing breeze. All the walls of the outer praahaaram are painted with lots of Thamizh hymns in praise of various Gods. The entire temple is very neat and maintained well, though it received very less visitors, unless auspicious days like Pradhosham, Sivarathri and Aarudhra.

There is a magnificent 16 pillared stone mandapam outside the temple, adjacent to the temple pond with lot of beautiful sculptures on it, providing shelter to cattle and few homeless people.

The temple is open till 12 pm and again opens at 4 pm till 8 pm.

Overall, Sri Agastheeswarar temple is just another masterpiece to our temple architecture and our heritage. A ‘must see’ place for temple lovers.

Aarani Sri Sampangi Pitchaaleeswarar

Aarani is a small, beautiful village located about 70 kms north western side of Chennai near Gummidipoondi. To reach Aarani, one has to cross Red Hills from Chennai and take the road towards Gummidipoondi.

Aarani has a wonderful temple for Lord Shiva, called Sri Sampangi Pitchaaleeswarar. The Goddess here is Sri Sivakaamavalli. The place Aarani got its name as it lies on the banks of Aarani river which was known as Brahmaranya River in ancient days.

Lord Shiva has 5 faces; Isaanam, Thathpurusham, Vaamadhevam, Sathyojaatham and Agoram. There are 5 Shiva temples (Pancha Brahma Sthalams) near Chennai, representing each of the 5 faces of the Lord. Out of 5, this temple represents the Vaamadheva face of Lord Shiva. This place was also called as Vaamadhevapuram in ancient days.

The other 4 being Ramagiri Sri Vaaleeswarar (Isaanam), Suruttuppalli Sri Pallikondeeswarar (Thathpurusham), Ariyathurai Sri Varamoortheeswarar (Sathyojaatham) and Karungaali Sri Chinthaamaneeswarar (Agoram). Interestingly, these entire 5 temples lie on the banks of Brahmaranya (Arani) river, till the river merges into the ocean at Karungaali.

This temple for Sri Sampangi Pitchaaleeswarar is believed to be very ancient and is said to be over 2000 years old. The Rajagopuram is so elegant and antique which invites us towards the temple.

This temple has an interesting legend attached to it. It is said that this village had lots of Sampangi (flower) plants all over. A man who owned many cows in this village, saw one of his cows going alone in the bushes and pouring milk by its own. Surprised by this act of his cow, the man and few villagers curiously went and cut the bushes off including a Sampangi plant to see what’s under bush. To his surprise, he saw a beautiful Shiva Lingam in the ground which was bleeding as the Axe had hit while cutting off the Sampangi plants.

Guilty of his act, the man cut his own hand off as he felt he had done an irreversible sin. The man’s wife pleaded to Lord Shiva and with His blessings the man got back his hand. Since the Lord evolved from the Sampangi bush and gave the man’s hand as biksha (alm), He came to be known as Sri Sampangi Pitchaaleeswarar.

The temple is so big looking grand and strong. As we enter the temple, there is a spacious ‘Thirukkalyaana Mandapam’ on the right hand side, where the God’s wedding is performed.

A lovely Dhwajasthambham (flag staff) welcomes us towards the sanctum.

There is an ancient Nandhi Mandapam where Sri Nandhigeswarar is present, facing the Lord towards the sanctum.

Lord Sri Sampangi Pitchaaleeswar is present inside the sanctum, facing east. The inner praakaarams are too nice with pillars and carvings. Goddess Sri Sivakaamavalli is present adjacent to the sanctum.

A beautiful Sri Natarajar is present just outside the sanctum, facing south.

There is also a small peetam outside the sanctum, where Sri Ambaal’s Paadham (Goddess’ feet) is present, which is very rare.

The outer praakaaram has a very large space with shrines for many other deities. Sri Ganapathy is present on the southern side of the sanctum facing north.

Sri Dhakshinamurthy is present on the southern wall facing south.

There is a separate shrine for Lord Ayyappan which is present behind the sanctum (western side) facing east.

Also there are shrines for Sri Annamalaiyar and Sri Kaalahastheeswarar adjacent on the western side.

Sri Mahavishnu, Sri Brahma, Sri Durga devi are present along the praakaaram.

Beautifully sculpted Sri Rahu and Sri Kethu combined have a separate shrine too.

Also there is a shrine for Sri Sani Bhagawan on the eastern side, facing west.

Vimanam

Overall, it’s a lovely temple which will definitely take us through few centuries of the past. It is better if all the 5 temples (representing 5 faces of Lord Shiva) are visited, which will be an interesting experience.

Manimangalam Sri Kailaasanaadhar

Manimangalam village is located about 10 kms from Tambaram on the western side of Mudichur Road leading towards Padappai.

This village has a very high historic importance because of the huge battle fought here between Narasimhavarma Pallava and the Chalukya King Pulikesi II. This battle was fought in Manimangalam during 7th Century AD.

In ancient days, the lands along with temple were donated by the kings to the Vedic scholars for performing Vedic rituals for the well being of the country. Such villages were called as Chathurvedhi Mangalams. Manimangalam is one such village and was called as Grama Sikhamani Chathurvedhi Mangalam.

Apart from a beautiful, huge temple for Sri Dharmeswarar, Manimangalam also has another ancient temple for Lord Shiva called Sri Kailaasanaadhar. Goddess here is Sri Gnaanaambigai.

According to inscriptions, this temple was constructed during 950 AD by a Chozha king called Vijaya Baalaya Chozhan. Later, this temple has been renovated during various periods by Raja Raja Chozhan (985 AD), Rajendra Chozhan (1014 AD) and Kulothunga Chozhan (1070 AD).

One of the 63 Naayanmars called Siru Thonda Naayanar (originally a Chozha Chieftain called Paranjothi) is said to have worshipped the Lord here and also has offered number of Annadhaanams (free feeding) in this holy village.

Now the temple is in complete ruins. This dilapidated temple has been taken care by a trust and Balalayam is done for re-consecration (Kumbabhishegam) of the temple.

The Moolavar Sannidhi (Sanctum) is facing east and is totally damaged. It looks as if it will crumble down anytime. Though the structure looks so majestic and ancient it’s in a very poor state and needs great attention.

There is a beautiful Nandhi facing the Lord towards the sanctum.

There is also an exquisite Nandhi Mandapam a little away from Nandhigeswarar and facing the sanctum.

Even the roof for the sanctum is open and some PVC sheet is kept as the ceiling to cover the sanctum.

There is a beautiful Peepul tree at one corner of the temple site for which a nice platform is built around.

Many dilapidated idols of Nandhi, Sri Vinayagar and few more are kept in front of the sanctum, the sight of which makes our heart heavy.

Definitely the temple must have had huge properties in this ancient place and is sure to have been encroached by many.

Now a trust called ‘Arulmigu Thirukailayanathar Gnanambigai Educational & Charitable Trust’ is engaged in the service of the Lord by initiating the works towards the Kumbabhishegam.

Someone willing to help or to visit the temple shall contact: Arulmigu Thirukailayanathar Gnanambigai Educational & Charitable Trust’, C/o. Sri. S. Balasubramanian, Flat No. 1, Jayam Apartments, # 13, Rameswaram Road, T. Nagar, Chennai – 600017. Mobile : 98400 13132. email: kailayanathar@gmail.com.

Pon Vilaindha Kalathur Sri Munkudumeeswarar

Pon Vilaindha Kalathur is a small village situated about 60 kms from Chennai and about 8 kms from Chengalpattu. After Chengalpattu, one has to take the road towards left (eastern side of GST Road) and cross a level crossing to reach the road towards Pon Vilaindha Kalathur.

It is said that the village got its name as Gold was harvested in fields in the ancient days. Presently, the name of the village is shortened as PV Kalathur. Great poet Pugazhendhi Pulavar, who wrote Nalavenba was born here. One of the 63 Naayanmaars called Sri Kootruva Naayanar is also said to have lived in this village.

PV Kalathur has a small yet wonderful temple for Lord Shiva. The main deity here is called as Sri Munkudumeeswarar (முன்குடுமீஸ்வரர்) and Goddess Sri Meenakshi Amman. The temple was built by Rajendra Chozhan.

The legend of the God here is too unique and interesting. There lived a king who was ruling this part of the country in ancient days. He was an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva and had a habit of getting Prasaad (Prasaadham) from this temple every day before starting his routines.

The priest of this temple used to perform daily morning pooja to the Lord and carry the Prasaadham for the king at his palace. Once, as usual, the priest performed the pooja and went to the palace to submit to the king. The king was having his bath the priest had to wait for while for the king to return and accept the Prasaadham. Meantime, the queen saw the priest waiting and enquired him. The priest told that he had brought Prasaadham from the temple for the king. The priest was holding a plate carrying Vibhuthi (Holy Ash), Kumkum, fruits and some flowers offered to the Lord.

The queen liked the fresh flowers on the plate and out of curiosity took the flowers and wore on her head. The priest was shocked and told the queen that the first Prasaadham from the temple is meant only for the king and grabbed the flowers from her head and kept them back on the plate.

The king arrived and accepted the Prasaadham with much devotion. But he was shocked to see a single long hair stuck with the flowers of the temple. The king got angry and asked the priest on how the hair got mixed up with flowers from the temple and whether the Lord had a long hair. The priest got frightened as he cannot tell the king that the queen was the responsible for it. At the same time, he had to answer. So, the priest told the king that the Lord in the temple has a long hair and hence the flowers taken from the Lord’s idol had a hair mixed up among the flowers.

The king couldn’t believe it and told that he will visit the temple the next day morning during the Pooja and if he doesn’t find the hair on the Lord, the priest’s head will be cut off.

The priest returned to the temple, cried and prayed the whole day in front of the Lord to save him from the king’s punishment.

The next day both the priest and the king arrived at the temple for morning Pooja. When the priest opened the doors of the sanctum to start the Pooja, he was astonished to see a tuft near the forehead of the Shiva Lingam. The priest was in tears realizing the mercy of the God to whom he was doing Poojas with full devotion. The king, on seeing the tuft apologized with the priest for suspecting him. As the Lord has a tuft (Kudumi) towards his forehead He came to be known as Sri Munkudumeeswarar. Even today, we can witness the tuft on the Lord’s (Lingam’s) head.

The temple is situated on a vast area amidst the paddy fields in the calm village. The temple is now protected and maintained by Archeological department and is very neat and clean.

Sri Munkudumeeswarar is bold and beautiful and is facing the east. Sri Nandhigeswarar is seen present in front of the sanctum.

Goddess Sri Meenakshi Amman is so beautifully decorated and has a separate shrine near the sanctum facing south.

Koshta deities like Sri Dhakshinamurthy, Sri Brahma and Sri Durgai are present around the sanctum.

Sri Valli Devasena Samedha Sri Subramanyar is present at the north west corner of the outer praakaram.

Sri Surya Bhagawan and Sri Chandra Bhagawan are seen in front of the sanctum, facing the Lord.

Sri Bhairavar is present at the corner at the praakaaram around the Ambaal Shrine.

There is a small shrine for Sri Kootruva Naayanaar who is said to have lived in this village, worshipping Lord Shiva here.

There are many beautiful sculptures found on many of the pillars of the mandapam in front of the sanctum. There are also many inscriptions found on the walls of the temple.

There is a beautiful Panchamuga (5 headed) Lingam carved on one of those pillars.

Outside the compound wall of the temple, a huge and majestic Nandhi is found facing the Lord towards the sanctum. But the wall obstructs the Nandhi from facing the Lord. There are 4 strong pillars around the Nandhi which might have been the pillars for Nandhi Mandapam in ancient days.

The priest visits the temple only in the morning and evening for daily poojas to be performed. As there are no much of visitors, the priest leaves after his poojas. The temple is open and the sanctum is closed during the day. One can have dharshan of the Lord through the closed grill door at the sanctum. One will be lucky if the priest is present to perform a Haarathi to the Lord.

But during our visit the priest wasn’t around and we thought he must have carried the God’s Prasaadham to some king!!

Overall, Sri Munkudumeeswarar temple is an excellent masterpiece of ancient architecture.