Semmancheri is located about 25 kms from Chennai on the Old Mahabalipuram Road, just before Sozhinganallur. Semmancheri has a small, but ancient temple for Sri Srinivasa Perumaal. While traveling from Adyar, this small but ancient temple can be on the left side of the road itself.
This age old temple dates back to Pallava period. The presiding deity here is Sri Srinivasa Perumaal and Goddess Sri Alarmel Mangai Thaayaar.It is said that a Pallava king who was ruling this part of the country lost his eye sight, after which he had worshipped Lord Srinivasa Perumaal here and got back his eye sight. Many people having problems with their eye sight take bath in this temple pond and worship the Lord here to get recovered.
The main deity Sri Srinivasa Perumaal here is so beautiful with many ornaments, glittering inside the sanctum. The Lord is seen in the standing posture.
A tall and beautiful Dwajasthambham adds beauty to the ambience.
Goddess Sri Alarmel Mangai Thaayaar is seen on the south west side of the sanctum. Goddess too is beautifully decorated and seen blessing the devotees with much grace.
There is a separate shrine for Sri Kaalinga Nardhanar where Lord Krishna is seen in a dancing posture on the venomous demon snake ‘Kaalinga’. Sri Kaalinga Nardhanar here is believed to be very powerful. It is said that the childless couples are blessed with a baby by worshipping Sri Kaalinga Nardhanar here for 48 days.
Sri Aandaal shrine is located on the northwest side of the sanctum.
Sri Anjaneyar is present in a small shrine at the north east side facing west.
The Sthala Viruksham for this temple is ‘Athi Maram’ which is seen inside the temple near Sri Aandaal Shrine.
Just near the entrance of the temple, there is a shrine for Sri Navaneetha Krishnar for Lord Vishnu.
The pond for this temple is located about 500 meters east of the temple which definitely needs attention.The temple now is in a poor state and few volunteers are helping to bring the temple back to its charm.
Temple Contact : Sri Srinivasa Perumaal Temple, OMR, Semmanchery. Tel : +91 98403 88836 / 98400 69650
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.
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.