AYANPURAM SHIVA TEMPLES

1. PARASURAMA LINGAESWARAR TEMPLE

Distance: 4kms from Egmore Railway Station

Shiva: Parasuramalingaeswarar

Amman: Parvadhambigai

This temple is situated in Ayanpuram (Ayanavaram).

Ayan means Brahma. Since Brahma stayed and worshipped Shiva here this place was known as Ayanpuram.

Brahma is seated on the Lotus which has been arosen from the Navel of Mahavishnu.

One day Mahavishnu found the lotus shaking. He understood that it was because of the pride the Brahma had as he was the creator of all species of the universe and nobody else knew that art. To make Brahma realise his mistake Mahavishnu cursed him to lose all his powers and made the art of creation to get erased from his mind. Brahma found that he could not create anything anymore. He repented for his mistake and asked Mahavishnu a solution to this. Mahavishnu said that he had to go to Boologam and search for a place where he finds a Shiva Linga which is a Suyambhu and the place full of trees and flowers (garden). Brahma came to Boologa as advised by Mahavishnu in search of a place as instructed by Vishnu. After travelling through many places he finally found the Suyambhu Shiva linga here amidst trees and plants. He created a pond and started performing penance beside it. Since he stayed here this place was called as Brahmapuri. Since Ayan means Brahma this place was called as Ayanpuram. After his period of penance he was relieved from his sins and since creation should exist he powers were given back to him by Shiva. He went back to his Loga and started performing his job.

Parasurama was the son of Sage Jamajagni and Renukadevi. Renukadevi created a new pot everyday from sand near the river and brought water in the pot for her husband's pooja. This proved her sincerity and discipline because pots could not be made from dry mud. One day when she was out to the river she the shadow of a Gandharvan and attracted by him for a second. Immediately she realised her mistake but she was not able to make the pot. She tried again and again but failed. As the time for pooja was getting late Sage Jamadhagni found out the reason which his Gnana Drishti. He called his sons and told them to kill her as she had lost her sincerity and discipline. Except Parasurama the other 2 sons refused to do so. He asked his father that he wanted a boon after his deed and he was granted. He took his axe and killed his mother Renuka devi. After killing his mother died and Paraurama asked his boon to bring his mother alive. Sage Jamadhagni whole heartedly granted the boon. Renuka devi came alive. Even though he brought his mother back to life the sin of killing his mother has stuck on to him. Therefore he started on his journey to cleanse his sin. He was suggested to go to Brahmapuri and worship this Shiva linga here. Since he worshipped this linga the linga was named as Parasuramalingaeswarar. He was also called as Brahmapureeswarar as he was worshipped by Brahma. The temple pond in front of the temple is named as Annapurani. When Parasurama stayed here he used to bath in the pond and hold his hands together and call of Annapurani and he was awarded with food. He used to perform Nivedhan to Shiva with the food and eat only after that.

Infront of the Amman there is a Shreechakra installed by Aadhi Shankara. Both Shiva and Amman faces east. Amman is to the right of Shiva sannidhi.

Another special feature of the temple is Muruga Sannidhi. He holds Akshara Mala and Kamadalam instead of his Vel. This form of Muruga is called as Brahmasastha Kolam. Since Brahma did not know the meaning of Om Karam. So he was put in Prison by Muruga. He took away the Kamandalam and Akshara mala from Brahma. This form of Muruga is called Brahmasastha Muruga. He is wearing a victory chain on his neck. Further he is wearing a necklace around his neck and Badra Kundalangal in his ears. Due to this the Muruga is a special feature of this temple.

This temple was built by Vikrama Chola in 7th Century. This temple is built with a Gajaprashta Vimana which is a special feature of Chola sculpture. 
The temple is built in such a way that we can go around Amman and Shiva together and not separately.

In tamil Literature this place is referred to as Vikrama Chola Valanattu Thudar Mulli Naadu. 


2. BRAHMAPUREESWARAR TEMPLE

This temple is situated in Ayanpuram (Ayanavaram).

Ayan means Brahma. Since Brahma stayed and worshipped Shiva here this place was known as Ayanpuram.

Brahma is seated on the Lotus which has been arosen from the Navel of Mahavishnu.

One day Mahavishnu found the lotus shaking. He understood that it was because of the pride the Brahma had as he was the creator of all species. To make Brahma realise his mistake Mahavishnu cursed him to lose all his powers. Brahma found that he could not create anything anymore. He repented for his mistake and asked Mahavishnu a solution to this. Mahavishnu said that he had to go to Boologam and search for a place where he finds a Shiva Linga which is a Suyambhu and the place full of trees and flowers (garden). Brahma came to Boologa as advised by Mahavishnu in search of a place as instructed by Vishnu. After travelling through many places he finally found the Suyambhu Shiva linga here amidst trees and plants. He created a pond and started performing penance beside it. Since he stayed here this place was called as Brahmapuri. Since Ayan means Brahma this place was called as Ayanpuram. After his period of penance he was relieved from his sins and since creation should exist he powers were given back to him by Shiva. He went back to his Loga and started performing his job.

This Linga is now called as Patteeswarar. This has been placed inside the Parasuramaeswarar temple. There is another Bana Linga inside this Shrine and the details about this temple is unknown. This Linga was installed and worshipped by Brahma. This temple was near the Parasurameswarar temple tank.