Shiva Temples of Chennai and Surroundings

VIJAYA LINGAESWARAR TEMPLE This temple is situated in Eswaran Koyil Street Erukkancheri. This temple was worshipped by Vijayan. This is a Brick temple. In ancient days the pillars of the temple had carvings. Only Vinayaka, Shiva and Nandhi were found. There was no Amman. The Palipeetam is 2 Layered. There was a pond nearby. The Sthala Viruksha of this temple is Vellerukku. Since the place had Numerous erukkam Trees the name of the place was called Erukkandhur. Now after the temple got destroyed a new temple has been built. Now the Koshta deities, Arunaigirinadhar, Vedhambigai has been installed. In the Koshtas there are Sannidhis of Dhakshinamurthy, Vishnu, Lingothbhava, Murugar, Durga and Chandikeswarar are found. In the Prahara there are sannidhis for Vinayaka, Pazhnimalai Muruga, Bhairavar, Saneeswarar, Suriyan and Chandran. These deities have been installed in the Later days. The Arumugar with his wives is a special Sannidhi in this temple.

1. PUTREESWARAR TEMPLE This temple is situated behind Manali New Town Police Station near 67 Block Park and Children's Park in Manali New Town. This Linga is a Suyambhu linga. The Aavudaiyar is square in shape. This linga was found among snake burrows and later constructed into a temple in early days. Abhisheka is done only once a month for the deity. Only the Linga and Nandhi were found. Later due to invasions the temple got destroyed and the Linga was covered by Mud and snake burrows. A few years back the people of that area cleared the burrows as houses were built around it. They found the Linga inside the burrow. A family of that area had built a small temple of their own deities near their house. They placed this Linga and installed Amman and Nandhi in their temple and they perform pooja to the deities. Anybody can visit the temple anytime. They have installed a small Viswanadhar of their own in the temple. 2. CHINTAMANEESWARAR TEMPLE This temple is situated in Manal...

AMULLAI EESWARAR TEMPLE This temple is situated in CPCL Nagar in Manali. The Ammullaivoyal village was situated 2kms from Manali.  This temple was evacuated later. The Linga and Nandhi was taken by a Shiva devotee to Manali and the Temple has been built.  The Older named of Shiva was Agastheeswarar. This temple was worshipped by Agasthya. The Aavudaiyar is square in shape. The Nandhi is Small and the Linga is big.  In ancient days this temple was big. The place was full of Mullai forests.

1. KAILASANADHAR TEMPLE Distance: 18kms from Tiruvallur and 4kms from Aavadi.  Shiva: Kailasanadhar Amman: Parvadhambigai  Speciality: This temple was built by the Cholas.  The outer Mandapa was the place where Pusalar used to reside. By worshipping This Shiva Pusalar wanted to build a temple identical to Kailasanadhar in his heart.  Amman worshipped Lord Shiva in a standing form in front of the Lord. The Amman Sannidhi was in front of Lord Shiva in early days. It was believed that if anyone was affected by any Dhosha worship this Amman and get relieved from their curses. The Sthala Viruksham of this temple is Vilva. Many inscriptions were found in the walls of the temple. There was a special Kali Sannidhi in this temple.  Later this temple was completely destroyed and a new temple was built by the people. This temple is at the Eesanya direction of Thirunindravur. There was a Pusalar statue but now it is not found. The Linga of this ...

1. EKAMBARAESWARAR TEMPLE This temple is situated in Karukku in EB Colony. Karakku is situated near Korattur. This was a small Shiva temple. The name of Amman is Kamakshi. The Aavudaiyar of the Shiva is round in shape. Only the Shiva temple was present. Now it has been converted into a Shiva Vishnu temple. This Shiva is very ancient. Only Shiva Nandhi and Chandikeswarar were present in ancient days. Later the Koshta deities and Amman have been added to the temple. This is one of the Pancha Bhootha temples of the Ambattur Korattur Area.  The Ekambareswarar temple of Karukku denotes Land.  The Jambukeswarar temple of Korattur denotes Water.  The Aathmanadhar temple of Menamedu denotes fire. The Ambalavanar temple of Ambattur denotes Sky.

1. AMUDHALINGAESWARAR TEMPLE Kosapettai is a place near Puraisaiwakkam. This temple is situated in Vinai Theetha Vinayaka Koyil Street, Vinyakapuram. The original name of Shiva was Brahmapureeswarar as this temple was worshipped by Brahma. Now the name has been changed to Amudhalingaeswarar and Amman is called as Abhirami. This temple has many inscriptions on the walls and ceilings of the temple. This temple was found in a straight line with Ayanpuram Brahmapureeswarar temple . The Vinayaka of this temple was earlier called as Sidhi Puthi Vinayaka. This was a separate temple. The Brahmapureeswarar temple was destroyed in the 12th century during the Saivite - Vaishnavite Clash and later the deities have been placed in the Vinayaka temple. The Vinayaka temple and Shiva temple were situated adjacent to one another.  2. AADHIPUREESWARAR TEMPLE This temple is situated in Padavettamman Koyil Street. The older name of this Shiva was Chidamb...

1. ADAIKALANADHAESWARAR TEMPLE This temple is found in Kilpauk Garden Road inside the complex of Dharmaraja temple. This temple was first situated in the place where the Anna Nagar Cemetery is situated now. The temple covered a very vast area of Land. This temple was completely destroyed before the British Period and later was installed in the Dharmaraja temple. The whole area which belonged to this temple has been occupied by the cemetery now. There Linga is big with a round Aavudaiyar. The stone with which the Linga is made up of is very different such that the Linga shines always. This Shiva was earlier called as Piravasthanaeswarar which means that people who worship this Shiva have no rebirth. Shiva gave the boon of Reaching him to Avvaiyar here. This shows that this Linga was worshipped by Avvaiyar and it dates long back before the period of Avvaiyar. This temple is a brick temple. Now a new Amman has been placed near the Shiva Sannidhi for worship. The name of Amman is Azhag...

1. VISWANADHAR TEMPLE This temple is near the Meenambakkam railway station. This temple was worshipped by Mathsya Perumal. Theertham of this temple is Mathsya Theertham. This was a stone temple. Since this temple was worshipped by Mathsya Perumal this place was came to be known as Meenambakkam (Mathsya - fish). Perumal happened to kill unnecessary sea animals in his First Avatar (Mathsya Avatar). Therefore he was caught by the curse (dosha) of Killing innocent animals. To get rid of this curse he installed and worshipped this Shiva here. He stayed here and created a theertham and worshipped Shiva for a certain period of time. In early days Shiva was called as Machaeswarar. Later the temple was destroyed and when a small temple was built Shiva was named as Viswanadhar. 

1. THANTHONDREESWARAR TEMPLE This Linga is found in the road near actor Thiru Rajinikanth's house. This Linga was found when a house was to be constructed in that area. They placed the Linga under a Peepal tree. As the tree grew it covered the Linga and only the head of the Baana is visible. The Linga is small with round Aavudaiyar. During the early British period a Britisher found this Linga and Nandhi and arranged to construct a small temple for the deities. Later the temple got dilapidated and the Linga got submerged under the ground. Now it is found inside the Peepal tree.

1. KAILASANADHAR TEMPLE This temple is found in School Road in Chetpet inside Kutlai Amman temple. The name Kattalai has been changed to Kutlai Colloquially. This temple is a brick temple. The Aavudaiyar is round in shape. There are desections on the Linga. This temple was big such that the details of Vishakandeeswarar temple was found here. Now the Linga is placed in the Kutlai Amman temple. This Linga was found near this temple and no one was aware of the importance and the history of the Linga. But they have placed it in this Amman temple for worship. Pradhoshas are being conducted in this temple.  This temple is one of the 247 Shiva temples along the banks of the river Coovam.  These details are obtained from the Priest of this temple around 25 years back. 2. VISHAKANDEESWARAR TEMPLE This temple is found in Sathyamurthy Salai in Chetpet inside the campus of Karumariyamman temple. This Linga was found near the waters. Now it has been installed in the Karumariyamman ...

1. VELLEESWARAR TEMPLE This temple was a brick temple and even now it is a brick temple after renovation. Shiva has a round Aavudaiyar. The place is now Karpagam Avenue. In ancient days this place was called as Velliyur. This temple was worshipped by Sage Sukracharya (Sukra means Velli). Therefore the name of Shiva was called as Velliyur and Velleewarar respectively. There were many temple along the Adayaru river. There were some inscriptions on the walls of the temple. This temple was destroyed during the Battle of Adayar. Now a new temple has been built for Shiva and many new deities have been installed in this temple. 2. VAITHEESWARAR TEMPLE This temple was worshipped by Sevvai (Mars). Once Sevvai was affected by a disease whose nature was unknown by any Pysician of the Vaala Loka. Sevvai was adviced to install and worship Shiva along the Adayar river because the place was considered as Auspicious. Sevvai did so and got his disease cured. Because of this incident Shiva wa...

1. THIRISOOLANADHAR TEMPLE Distance: 19kms from Egmore Railway station Shiva: Thirisoolanadhar Amman: Thiripurasundhari Brahma was very proud that he was the creator of the whole universe. He treated the Devas with disrespect.When Lord Shiva came to know about this he showed his powers and therefore Brahma's powers were blocked. He was not able to create anything. Brahma understood that he had lost his powers due to Shiva's anger and therefore he went to the Boologa to perform Shiva pooja as a remedy for his mistake. He visited many Shiva temples on his journey.   One of such temples visited by Brahma is Thirisoolanadhar temple. The Shiva in Thirisoolam is called Thirisoolanadhar. The small hill on which this temple is situated is called Thirisoolamalai. Since Brahma worshipped this Shiva he is also called Brahmapureeswarar. This small hill was full of trees like a forest (Suram is a place which is a mixture of hill and forest). Therefore Shiva was also called...

BHEEMAESWARAR TEMPLE Distance: 10kms from Tambaram Shiva: Bheemaeswarar Amman: Vidhyambigai Speciality: Early name of Shiva was Parameswaran.  This temple stands for Shiva Vishnu unity. The Dhamodhara Perumal sannidhi is seen in this temple.  The Chandran of this temple is made out of Chandra Gantha stone. Worshipping Chandra here relieves Dhoshas of Chandra Dhasa. The Karthigai Deepam festival is celebrated very special in this temple. History: About 1300years ago this place was full of trees and very few inhabitants. A Shiva devotee named Kameswaran found this lingam submerged in the ground amidst trees. He took the Lingam out along with his villagers and laid the Lingam for worship in a small tent. A man name Viswam who lived in the village did not have children. He adopted a female Child and named it as Vasuki. Kameswaran and Vasuki fell in love with each other. Viswam was against their love. Vasuki and Kameswaran prayed to lord Sh...

RAMALINGAESWARAR TEMPLE Shiva: Ramalingaeswarar Amman: Parvadhavarthini Sthala Viruksham: Bakula tree (Magizha Maram) This temple was worshipped by Kamadhenu. Therefore the place was known as Thenupuri which is now called Teynampet. The Shiva was also known as Thenupureeswarar. Since Rama worshipped this Shiva the Lord is called as Ramalingaeswarar.  But now people commonly call this temple as Siva Subramanya Swami temple. After Sita was kidnapped by Ravana Rama came to the south in his Vana Vasa period in search of Sita.One evening Rama was very tired and wanted to take rest. He searched for a suitable place and found a place full of Bakula tree. He found a pond amidst trees. he bathed in the pond and all his tiredness was gone. He installed a Shiva linga and performed Sandhya vandhanam and Pooja. He stayed in this place for some days and started to ravel in search of Sita. Since Rama installed this Lin...

1. VENGEESWARAR TEMPLE Vadapazhani is a place in Chennai. In ancient days, Kodambaakkam and Vadapazhani were considered together as Puliyurkottam. Karkodagan the snake worshipped Shiva here in this temple and therefore this place was called Kodagambakkam or Kodalambaakkam. Lord Shiva bent the Maeru mountain here to kill the Thiripura Asuras. Kodu means hill and therefore this place would have been known as Kodambaakkam. Vyakrapaadhar reached this place and installed a linga for his worship. He stayed here and worshipped this linga along with Pathanjali. Since Pulikkaal Munivar stayed in this place it was called Puliyur, Vyakrapuri or Vaengaipuram. The Shiva worshipped by him was called Puliyurudaiyar, vyakrapureeswarar or Vengeeswarar. The story of Vaykrapaadhar is given in the reference about THIRUPULIVNAM TEMPLE. STORY OF PATHANJALI: One day, Lord Mahavishnu was praising abour Lord Shiva’s dance. Aadhiseshan was listening to this. He wished to watch the dance of Lord Sh...

1. RAVEESWARAR TEMPLE Vyaasarpaadi is a place in North Chennai. This place was known by different names such as Ravipuram, Bhaanupuram, Kadhirpuram and Thirumaalpuram also in ancient days. Let us look into the stories from the Puranas about the temple. Lord Surya’s wife Usha could not bear the immense heat of the sun God. So she created a woman from her shadow and named her as Chaya (Prathyusha) and left her in her place and left to another world. When Chaya Devi went near Lord Surya he realised that she was not his wife. Lord Surya went in search of his wife. On the way, Brahma was performing a large yaaga. Surya passed that way without noticing Brahma and the Yaaga. Brahma was angry for the disrespect by Surya. He cursed Surya to be born on Earth. As cursed by Brahma Surya was born on Earth and he grew into a man. One day, he met Naradha and asked him what should he do to get relieved from the curse. Naradha said that the time has come for Surya to go back to his world and li...

1. EKAMBARAESWARAR TEMPLE The Ekaambaraeswarar temple is near the Flower Bazaar or the China Bazaar. The temple is near the Kandhakoattam Murugar temple. The Rajagopuram is big with artistic work.           When King Thondaimaan ruled the State this place was called Idaiyaarpaalayam of the Chennarkuppam {now Parrys corner}. Since Yadhavas lived here this place was called Idaiyarpaalayam. A devotee who lived here regularly visited Kanchipuram Ekambaraeswarar temple. One day he could not go to Kachipuram. He then decided to build a temple for Ekambaraeswarar here so that people here could worship here instead of goimg to Kanchipuram as transportation was not easy those days. The temple which he built with great effort is this temple. This temple is now termed as Park town Ekaambaraeswarar temple.       The name of the Moolavar is Ekambaraeswarar and that of Ambaal is Kaamakshi. In the Koshta we find Vinayaka, Dhakshinamurthy, Vishnu, Br...

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 (ga...