TEMPLES IN NORTH CHENNAI

Chenna Kesava Perumal 

In Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, in the George Town neighbourhood, there is a Hindu temple called Chennakesava Perumal Temple. It has Chenna Kesava Perumal as its dedication.  The Chenna Malleeswarar Temple is nearby. The temples are twins. The Hindu god Vishnu manifests as Chennakesava Perumal. Chenna pattanam would have been called after the Chenna Kesava Perumal Temple and is also regarded as the patron god of Chennai. The temple was thought of being the city's visage because the Tamil term "Chennai" means "face." 

The original Chenna Kesava Perumal temple was situated there even in the 17th century CE, according to the official website of the Chenna Kesava temple: "This is where the Madras High Court stands now. There were several issues in Chennai when the ancient temple was there, including the French and Tippu Sultan invasions. The old temple was destroyed in 1757 CE by the British East India Company. In response to popular outrage, the British East India Company gave Manali Muthu Krishna Mudaliar some land and some money so that he could build the new Chenna Kesava Perumal temple in 1762 at a different location, namely Devaraja Mudali Street in the Sowcarpet neighbourhood of Chennai. He also constructed a Shiva temple in addition to this Vishnu temple.

Kandaswami Temple

The Parry's Corner (Old: George Town) neighbourhood of Chennai city, Tamil Nadu, India, is home to the Hindu temple known as Kandaswami Temple (Tamil: ), which is devoted to Lord Murugan. It is also referred to as "Mutthu Kumra Swmi deva sthnam"  and is more commonly termed "Kandha kottam" It is run by the Tamil Nadu government's Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department. Primary and secondary schools, a college, as well as other educational institutions, are connected to the Kandha Kottam temple in several cities. The Kandha Kottam Temple also runs free pharmacies and medical clinics as part of its social welfare programme.

The saint Ramalinga Swamigal (also known as Vallalr), who wrote "Deiva mani malai" here, is linked to the Kandha kottam temple.

Sri Ekambareswarar Temple

In the Ekambareswarar temple in Chennai, Shaniswarar is seated across from Ambal, therefore by worshipping her, one can escape Saturn's malevolent gaze. The Sapta Naga in this temple has Muruga on the back and Vinayaka on the front.

The Sri Ekambareswarar Temple in Thangasalai is the most well-known of Chennai's Panchabhuta Temples. This temple is quite old.

Akuranatha Pillai constructed the Ekambareswarar Temple in the 1680s while India was ruled by the British. This temple is referred to as Allingal Pagoda on the British map of Chennai that was produced in 1710. Akuranathan Pillai, an ardent follower of Kanchipuram Ekambareswara, used to travel to Kanchipuram frequently each Pradosha. He arrived at the temple a day later than planned because he became weary on the route and needed to rest. Asked not to visit Kanchi with the burden of meeting him again, Lord Shiva appeared to him with Ambal and expressed his delight at his devotion. According to the Thala Purana, he showed up as Swayambu and promised to put on a show before being commanded by Lord Shiva to construct the Akuranathar Temple there. Swayambu Murthy in the shape of Moolavar Linga is shown as Kamakshi Amman Udanurai Ekambara Nathar Temple. For those who want to purchase their own home, this location is a Navagraha Parikara and a dream comes true. The removal of barriers to marriage can also be done here.

 This temple, constructed in accordance with Kamika Agama guidelines, contains seven levels of Raja Gopurams. Below the triplane is where the womb is. This temple is included among the major temples and is under the administration of the Hindu Charities Department. A mango tree serves as the temple's main tree.

Kalikambal Temple

Kalikambal is another name for Goddess Kaali.In other words, she is the physical manifestation of Maa Kaali.

Adi Shakti's Sowmya Swarupa (amsa) is Kaalikambal. The sacred Goddess Sri Kalikambal Temple is located in the centre of Chennai, Tamil Nadu, in George Town, on Thambu Chetty Street, which is a commercial area dedicated to Sri Kaalikambal and Lord Sri Kamadeswara.

It is an antique temple that dates back about 3000 years.

According to legend, this shrine used to be much closer to the ocean.

The deity is known as KOTTAI AMMAN was relocated inside the Fort.·  
The Goddess Kalikambal is also referred to as "NEITHAL (Sea and Adjacent Land) KAMAKSHI."Goddess Kamakshi is the mother of all living beings and is revered for her generosity.

She bestows the favour on her followers who worship her with trust. It was said that when the deity was maintained by the seaside, she was a harsh, ferocious, and robust form of nature.  Only in the year, 1640 AD was the deity relocated to the current Thambu Chetty Street location, and her nature has softened and shantha swarupam. Despite the fact that the temple entrance faces East, the Goddess's seated stance faces West.

 In this temple, Sage Sri Adi Shankara consecrated Sri Chakra.

This location is also known as SWARNAPURI and BHARATHAPURI.

It is said that if someone worships Goddess Kalikambal in this temple, they will receive the advantages of worshipping Goddess Sri Kamakshi of Kanchipuram and Lord Sri Arunachaleswara of Thiruvannamalai without having to go to those hallowed places, as well as receive miracles. On October 3, 1677, the famous Maratha warrior King Shivaji Maharaj visited and worshipped the Goddess.

Only after visiting this temple did he receive the honorary title of Chhatrapati Shivaji.

Maha Kavi Bharathiyar, wrote a song at the time called "Yaadhumaagi Nindraai Kaali, Engum Nee Niraindhai," which means "You stood as Everything, You were full everywhere, Oh KAALI."

Ravishwarar Temple 

Ravishwarar Temple in Chennai, India is a Hindu temple. The temple is dedicated to Shiva and was built during the Chola period. Murthy Iyengar Street is in the northern neighbourhood of Vyasarpadi.

Lord Ravishwarar ("Ravi" means "Sun"), who faces east, and his consort goddess Marakadhambal, who faces south, is the temple's main deities. The temple features a three-tiered raja gopuram (main tower). The sun god is said to have worshipped the lord here. To remove his Bhrama Dosham, the sun god bathed in the temple tank known as the Bhrama Theertham or Surya Theertham (curse). The sun god is placed inside Lord Shiva's sanctum, facing the east-facing Lord. Along with the sun god, Lord Shiva is worshipped.  The Shiva sanctum contains a Shiva Ling-shaped hole through which sunlight enters.

On Sundays, many people come to the temple to heal themselves and perform various pariharams.

 Vishnu, Nataraja, Bhairava, Sundara Vinayaka (Lord Ganesha), Muruga and his consorts Valli and Deivanai, Ayyappa, and Hanuman have shrines within the temple.

 The temple also houses an idol of Saint Vyasar. According to legend, Vyasa worshipped and praised the Lord, thus giving the neighbourhood its name. King Veechawaran also visited the temple. Vanni is the temple's sacred tree. The Vilva and Naga Linga trees are among the other trees in the temple. 

Sri Kasi Viswanathar Temple 

The Sri Kasi Viswanathar Temple is the name of the historic Shiva temple situated in Chennai's Washermanpet neighbourhood. Around 1000 years ago, during the rule of the Chola dynasty, this temple is thought to have been constructed.

The Sri Kasi Viswanathar Temple, which honours Lord Shiva, is renowned for its exquisite carvings and lovely architecture. A large gopuram (gateway tower) with colourful sculptures of numerous deities graces the temple. An alleged self-manifested lingam, which serves as Lord Shiva's emblem, is kept in the temple's sanctum sanctorum. The temple is particularly well-known for its annual festival, which draws a sizable crowd of worshippers from all around the city during the Tamil month of Maasi (February–March). The temple is decked with lights and flowers for the celebration, and a number of cultural events are planned.

The Sri Kasi Viswanathar Temple, one of the oldest and most respected temples in Chennai, is a significant pilgrimage destination for followers of Lord Shiva.

Thyagaraja Temple (Vadivudai Amman Temple.)

Shiva is the subject of the Thyagaraja Temple, also known as the Vadivudai Amman Temple. It can be found in Tiruvottiyur, which is a neighbourhood in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. The temple is praised in the Tevaram songs of Saiva Nayanars, Tamil saint poets who are categorised as Paadal Petra Sthalam and who lived in the seventh century. Appar, Samandar, and Sundarar, the Three Thevaram Moovars, have all performed Thevaram songs in this temple. The temple has a deep connection to Pattinathar and the saint poet Sundarar. The temple has been popular since the Pallava era in the 7th century when the Chola kings greatly extended it. The temple's 1-acre overall footprint includes a tank, a seven-tiered gateway tower, and a tank.

The Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Tamil Nadu government is in charge of running the temple. While both temples were enlarged by Rajendra Chola I and share the same dance poses of Shiva, they are comparable to the Thygaraja temple in Tiruvarur. One of the nation's 51 Sakthi Peetams is the temple. 

The goddess in this temple is known by the name Vadivudaiamman, also known as Tripurasundari. Within the Temple complex, a separate shrine houses the goddess. In the Tondaimandalam region, there are three Sakthi temples: Thiruvudai Amman (also known as Ichchaa Sakthi, the goddess who grants devotees' wishes), Vadivudai Amman (also known as Gnaana Shakti, the goddess who bestows with gnana or knowledge), and Kodiyidai Ammam. The temple with Vadivudai Amman as its chief goddess is the (also known as Kriya Shakti, the goddess who assists in all actions). The Thiruvudai Amman shrine is in Melur, whereas the Kodiyidai Amman shrine is in Thirumullaivoyal.

 

The temple served as the hub of learning, hosting religious lectures on topics like vyakarna (translation), Somasiddantha (philosophy), and Panini's grammar in its halls. Many inscriptions from the Pallava era can be seen inside the temple.  It is said that the Advaita school of Hinduism's Sankaracharya visited the temple to subdue the influence of evil in the eighth century. The reigning god, Aadhipureeswarar, is represented by an armoured mud mound. The armour is taken off on the day of the full moon of the Tamil month karthigai, making the god's image visible to worshippers. Oils of punugu, javvadhu, and sampirani are used to anoint the Lord.

Agastheeswarar

The residential area of Kolathur in Chennai, South India, is not commonly known. Only a select few people are aware that this area is home to an old Shiva temple. In this temple, Lord Shiva is known as Agastheeswarar. According to popular belief, the sage Agastya originally erected the Shiv Linga in this temple. In Chennai's Kolathur neighbourhood, Agastheeswarar's diminutive yet historic temple may be found next to Ganga Theatre. There is no tower at this temple. Instead of a tower, an image of Agastya the Rishi adoring the Shiv Linga is presented.

The primary deity is represented by a little Linga. Akhilandeswari, the temple's goddess, is housed in a separate shrine. Both shrines are oriented towards the east. In this temple, there is neither a flagstaff nor a bali peeth. But there is a tiny Nandi statuette in front of the main shrine.

This temple is associated with Villivakkam. Agatheeswara temple, sage Agasthiyar erected the Shiva linga in this temple, when he erected the lingam in Villivakkam temple, in the same period. It is said by the locals that the Lingam in this temple was worshipped by sage Agathiyar. This temple is dated back to 1000 C.E. It is evident that the temple was built by the Chola kingdom by the temple structure. The temple is now currently under the control of the descendants of the landlords who maintained the temple. The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments department is in talks with the members of the family over the control of the temple.

 

  Somanatheeswarar temple ( Kolathur)

The Somanathaswamy Temple is a Shaivite temple in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Somanatheeswarar is the main deity (Moolavar). Amuthambigai is the goddess. The Vilvam tree is said to be Viruksha. Chandra Theertham and Agni Theertham are temple tanks. This temple was built 800 years ago. Sage Agasthiyar worshipped it. The area where this temple is being built was known in ancient times as 'Thirukulandhai,' then 'Thirukkulathur,' and finally 'Kolathur,' which is the name given to it now. In the sixteenth century, Saint Cum poet Madhava Sivagnanam of 'Thiruvavadudurai Adheenam' penned poems for the deities of this temple, including 'Somesar Mudhumollhi Venbaa,' 'Kulathur Pathitruppathandhathi,' and 'Amuthambigai Pillaiththamillh.

 Agastheeswarar Temple (Villivakkam)

The Agastheeswarar Temple is situated in Chennai's Villivakkam neighbourhood on Sivan Koil Street. The Villivakkam bus terminal is around 1 km away from the temple. The temple, which honours Lord Shiva and the Holy Mother Shakti, was constructed some 1000 years ago.

Sage Agasthya was in the south performing Shiva Puja at this location during the Marriage of Lord Shiva with Mother Parvathi in Mount Kailas. Vilvalan and Vatapi, two demon brothers, interfered with his pooja. Agasthya used his penance power to murder them, incurring the Brahmmahati dosha, a sin brought on by the slaughter of people, whether they were good or wicked. In order to be free of the dosha and any other interference with his pujas, he worshipped Lord Shiva here. Veerabadra was sent by the Lord to assist the sage. Sage Agasthya was shielded by Lord Veerabadra, who also released the sage from the dosha. He now has His rightful position in the temple. Because the Lord was worshipped here by the sage Agasthya, He is revered as Lord Agastheeswarar and is the temple's presiding deity. Ambica was wearing golden jewellery when Lord Shiva gave Sage Agasthya a glimpse of Mother Parvathi; for this reason, she is hailed as Swarnambika.

The divine trip will be continued...

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