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.

Hanumanthapuram Sri Agora Veerabadhrar

Hanumanthapuram is a very remote village near Chengalpattu. The village is located off the road going from Chengalpattu towards Thirupporur after Perunthandalam and Senneri villages. The road that leads to this village is not easily motorable and is amidst the reserved forest zone.

Hanumanthapuram has an ancient temple where the main deity is Sri Agora Veerabadhra Swamy and Goddess Sri Kaalikaambal.

Dhakshan (son of Sri Brahma and father of Sri Parvathi) performed a Yagnya. He had invited all Devas and Gods for his Yagnya except Lord Shiva, as he always disliked him because Lord Shiva married his daughter Sri Parvathi without his knowledge.

But as per the rituals, he has to invite Lord Shiva, without which the Yagnya won’t be complete. But Dhakshan ignored Lord Shiva and also was not willing to give due offerings to Him in his Yagnya.

Knowing this Lord Shiva got furious and sent Lord Ganesha to stop Dhakshan’s Yagnya, but Lord Ganesha couldn’t succeed, followed by Lord Muruga who again couldn’t defeat Dhakshan to stop his Yagnya. Finally, He created a power from the droplets of His sweat and gave it a form and named Him Veerabadhrar. Veerabadhrar, who was created from Lord Shiva’s sweat, was assigned to defeat Dhakshan and stop his Yagnya.

Goddess Parvathi, who was also equally upset with Dhakshan’s attitude, created a Shakthi called Kaali and made her accompany Veerabadhrar in his mission to defeat Dhakshan. Sri Veerabadhrar went and chopped Dhakshan’s head with ease. From then Dhakshan didn’t have head at all. Later, with the prayers of Dhakshan’s wife, Sri Veerabadhrar blessed him with the head of a goat and hence Dhakshan is seen with the human body and goat’s head.

It is believed that Dhakshan was defeated by Sri Veerabadhrar in this place.

Sri Veerabadhrar is seen facing north, holding many weapons. Goddess Sri Kaali is present just outside the sanctum, facing east. Sri Kaali is believed to be more powerful here. This village also has a separate temple for Sri Kaaliamman.

Nandhi is seen facing south towards the Lord. This very unusual temple attracts lots of devotees during new moon days and full moon days. This place is said to cure people with mental illness. Many mentally challenged people are brought here and prayers are offered to Sri Agora Veerabadhrar. It is believed that Sri Agora Veerabadhrar blesses them to recover from their mental illness.

There is a beautiful temple pond in front of the temple, where many devotees take bath before visiting the temple. Also many bring mentally challenged people and bathe them here.

Betel leafed garland is offered to the Lord here. It is said that this place was once filled with betel leaf creepers. Betel leaf garland is considered auspicious for Sri Agora Veerabadhra Swamy here.

The age of this temple is not known to many, even to the temple priests. There are no archeological evidences or whatsoever to date this temple. But the priests say that they have been serving this temple for 12 generations and the legend of this place is passed on to them word of mouth ancestrally.

There is an old stone inscription in this temple, belonging to 1921 where one Chinnappa Nayakkar of Ayanpuram (Ayanavaram), Chennai has donated his shop sites to the temple to be used for performing atleast one time pooja everyday.

On Pournami days, Archanas are performed to Sri Veerabadhrar here throughout the night.

Beautiful temple with rich heritage.