CHENNAI: Almost every temple has been built on some fascinating story. “Every temple walk I took led to discovering a new facet of a temple,” says historian-researcher Chithra Madhavan, who feels that temples that are in a deplorable condition should be given due importance, so that steps can be taken to preserve them. Deeply concerned about the poor maintenance of temple tanks and oil-greased walls, Chithra insists that the public should follow certain disciplines within places of worship. Elucidating on some of the temples, she refers to the sorry state of the Chola inscriptions. “Though newer idols and sculptures are seen in temples, they are not as fulfilling as older ones,” she says. Here are some of the lesser known temples in the city…
Sri Kalikambal Temple (near Thambu Chetty Street, George Town)
Dating back to 1640, today’s Kalikambal was Chennaman then. It’s believed that Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Sivaji has visited the temple, besides, Bharathiyar, when he was working for Sudhesamithran magazine. Originally, the temple was constructed closer to the seashore but was later moved to its current location, during the British rule in India. One of the well-maintained ancient temples in the city has the sanctity of the two Pancha bootha Sthalams – Tiruvannamalai and Kanchipuram. The presiding deities are lord Kamateswarar and his consort Kalikambal. It’s said that lord Kuberan acquired wealth only after worshipping Kalikambal here.
Outstanding aspects: Navarathri and Masimagam festivals and Nataraja processions.
Manimangalam Rajagopala Swamy Temple (near Tambaram)
The birthplace of Sri Ramanuja, Manimangalam is 22 kilometres to the east of Sriperumbudur. The deity Rajagopala Swamy is seen with his consorts Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi, facing east, holding the Sudharsana Chakram in his left hand and a conch in the right. One can see two pillars erected outside the temple with carvings of snakes, besides the inscriptions on the main sannidhi wall. Kalki has penned about Manimangalam battle in Sivagamiyin Sabatham.
Outstanding aspects: Yoga Narasimha carvings and Senkamalavalli Thaayar sannidhi
Srinivasa Perumal Temple (Purasawalkam)
The seven-foot tall presiding deity, lord Srinivasa, is seen with his consort Alamelu Mangai here and it’s believed that the temple came into existence in 1850. The dwajasthambam of the temple is said to be 48-feet high, which is made of teak wood. There are separate sannidhis for Chakrathazhvar, Hanuman and Andal respectively. The Puranas say that Perumal appeared in an old man’s dream and ordered him to build a temple for him, at the site of the Bhajanai Koil.
Outstanding aspects: Traditional madapalli where prasadam is prepared and sold, Laksharchanai in April, Brahmotsavam in January, Bahula Panchami
Sri Agastheeswarar Temple (Villivakkam )
Spread over a two-acre space, the temple was built during the 9th century. It’s believed that the sage Agasthiyar got brammaharthi dosham after killing demons Vathabi and Villavan, but later with the grace of lord Shiva, he was relieved off his dosham on a Tuesday. Also it’s said that one of the navagrahams, Mars (Sevvaai) took a holy dip at the temple tank and the name ‘Angaaraha theertha’ was thus derived. Presiding deity Agastheeswarar is facing east and his consort Swarnambikai is facing south.
Outstanding aspects: Tuesday darshans are considered auspicious. It’s said that those girls who worship Parvathi get married soon.
Sri Thyagaraja Swamy Temple (Tiruvottiyur)
The 1,500-year-old temple is one of the 275 Thevara Padal Petra Sthalams. The main deity is a huge Swayambu lingam in the form of putru with lord Vishnu on the right side and Brahma on the left. It’s believed that Sundarar married Sangili Nachiar under the mahizha maram. Sages including Arunagirinathar, Muthuswamy Dikshithar, Ramalinga Swamy, Maraimalai Adigal and Kambar have worshipped lord Shiva here.
Outstanding aspects: Thyagaraja Swamigal, an ardent Rama devotee, who had never sung hymns in praise of any other gods, has sung verses here.
Masilamaneeswarar Temple, (Thirumullaivoyal)
The presiding deity Masilamaninathar is seen with his consort Kodiyidai Nayagi here. In other Shiva temples, Nandi faces inwards looking at the lord, while in this temple, Nandi faces outwards. The Paadal Petra Sthalam is incarnated by the hymns of Arunagirinathar, Ramalinga Swamigal and Sundarar. The temple architecture is designed the Pallava way.
Outstanding aspects: Veru kaapu fests, Chitthirai fests and Sadhaya Nakshatra poojas
Gangadeeswarar Temple, (Purasawalkam)
It’s believed that when the king Bhageeratha tried to bring the river Ganga to the earth and prayed to Shiva, the lord let the Ganges flow down from his jadaamudi. The Puranas say that as per the advice of Narada, the king installed 1,008 Shivalingas in different places and the site where he installed the final one is the present Gangadeeswarar temple, which is 2,000 years old. It’s said that there were initially seven tanks at the temple. However, only one is seen now.
Outstanding aspect: Kurundai tree, which can’t be seen at any other temple.
Dhandeeswarar Temple, (Velachery)
The presiding deity is in the form of Swayambu lingam, which is worshipped to remove one’s death fears. All the four Vedas (Sama, Yajur, Rig, Atharvana) worshipped Dhandeeswarar here and were cleared off their dosham that was inflicted while being caught by the demons.
Outstanding aspects: It’s believed that Yama was in tapas here for 3,000 years and received blessings from lord Shiva.
Yoga Narasimha Temple, (Velachery)
Originally known as Vedasreni, this temple is an abhimana sthalam. The presiding deity Yoga Narasimha, with his four hands is seen in a sitting posture, the same way he gave darshan to Bhakta Prahlada. His consort is Amirthbalavalli. The utsavar, Bhakthavatsala Perumal is flanked by Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi. Also worshipped in this temple are Sri Vedanarayana Perumal, Andal, Azhwars, Ramanuja, Manavala Mamunigal and Kothandaramar.
Outstanding aspects: Narasimha Jayanthi, Mandalabisheka poojas
Sri Ramanatheeswarar Temple, (Porur)
It’s believed that lord Rama worshipped Shiva here and the lingam is present in the form of Guru. Also called Uthra Rameswaram, the significance of the temple is that the devotees are being offered sadaari and theertham, which is usually done in only Vishnu temples. It is said that the practice is followed here to honour Rama’s devotion to lord Shiva. Being considered a Guru Sthalam, the temple is known for Navagraha worship. The presiding deity Ramanatheeswarar is seen with his consort Sivakama Sundari.
Outstanding aspects: The temple has nine Vilva trees, which is a rare thing to spot. Devotees throng here during the times of transit of Guru Bhagawan and Saneeswaran, besides Pradoshams and Sivarathris.
Other ancient temples
Sri Venugopala Krishna Swamy Temple, Broadway
Sri Thiruvetteeswarar Temple, Triplicane
Sri Theerthapaleeswarar Temple, Lloyds Road
Sri Rathnagreeswarar Temple, Besant Nagar
Sri Dhenupureeswarar Temple, Madambakkam
Sri Kothandaramar Koil, West Mambalam
Valliserapaleeswarar temple, Alappakkam
Sri Nageswarar Temple, Kundrathur (Ragu Sthalam)
Sri Vengeeswarar Temple, Vadapalani
Sri Navaneetha Krishnan Sri Lakshmi Narasimhar Temple, Nanganallur