Gnayiru

Gnayiru -ஞாயிரு
Sri Pushparatheswarar Temple

PushpaRatheswarar Temple

Sri Pushparatheswarar temple at the Gnayiru village is is one of the navagraha temples around chennai dedicated to Lord Sun (Suriyan) and the prime deity here is Lord Shiva and is situated at a distance of about 15 km beyond Red Hills outskirts of Chennai, Tamil Nadu. According to the sthala puranam seen in the temple, Gnayiru village has been praised by Sekkizhar in Periya Puranam. Yet there is a debate whether this is one of the Paadal Petra Sthalams or not. The temple priest was also not clear about this. This is one of the 'Pancha Baskara Sthalams' (abodes of Lord Sun) and revered as the prime among them.

The legend behind the temple is that once Sun was cursed by Lord Brahma. To get rid of the curse Suriya performed a penance here by bathing at the pond here and performing pooja to Lord Shiva and Goddess Swarnambikai with red lotus flowers.

Lord Shiva along with his consort Swatrnambigai appeared before Suriya and blessed him.It is beleived that every Tamil year Lord Suriya in the form rays fall on Lord and Mother during the first 7 days of the tamil New Year (April).

The temple has a four tiered small rajagopuram as the entrance. The praharam with garden and the trees are beautifully maintained and the place is very calm and serene. The huge 'Thiruvodu ' tree is the sthala vriksham here.The sannidhi of Pushparatheswarar faces east.There is a separate sannidhi for mother Swarnambigai on the left side. There is a separate sannidhi for Lord Sun facing the sannidhi of Lord Pushparatheswarar.

Suriyan Sannithi	The Thiruvodu tree

The Moolavar of this sthalam is Sri Pushparatheswarar.

The Ambal in this sthalam is Swarnambigai .

Temple location It is on a small village called Gnayiru near Redhills off the main road

Temple Timings It is normally open from 7 am –12.30pm and 4.30pm-8.30pm

How to reach?It is easily reached if you drive your car, on Srikakulam Highway towards Redhills and then outer ring road. There are buses from Red Hills but not very frequent. Share autos are available from Redhills.
Where to Stay?There are no hotels here. Chennai is the place to stay
Where to Eat?There are no big restaurants here. You can reach Red Hills or Chennai for lunch / dinner.
Other importanat places around this templePancheshti Sri Agatheeswarar temple dedicated to Lord shiva.
Contact Arumandai Gnayiru Road,
Gnayiru Gramam,

Sholavaram, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600067, India
Phone: +91 44 2902 1016

Useful data
State: Tamil Nadu
District: Chennai
Famous for: Pilgrimage
Languages: a little English,Tamil
Best Season: Throughout the year. Summer( from May to July) could be very hot and dry when the mercury shoots to 40 degree celsius.
Weather: Summer 33-42°C, Winter 16-28°C
Altitude: Sea level