Vengeeswarar
Vengeeswarar Temple
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| Vengeeswarar-(file picture) |
Santhanayaki sametha Vengeeswarar temple is situated in Vadapalani.Though the exact date could not be determined, the temple structure is said to be over 1000 years old and one of the oldest temples in Chennai. As per legends it is said to be built by sage Pathanjali and sage Vyakya Paadhar.
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| Sri Vengeeswarar Temple |
As per legends there lived a rishi and staunch Shiva devotee. He used to climb the trees of Nagalingam (Nagalinga Pushpa (Kannada), Nagamalli (Telugu),Naaga danthee (Malyalalam)_) to pluck flowers for Shiva pooja. To help him climb the trees ,Lord Shiva modified his legs like that of a tiger (Vengai in Tamil) and became to be known as 'Vyakya paadhar' or 'Vengai Paadhar'(one with Tiger paws). As the deity was worshipped by this Vyakya paadhar, the deity Lord Shiva is known as Vengeeswarar.
The Temple: Origin of this temple is said to be more than 1000 years.The entrance to this temple has a seven tiered Rajagopuram adorned with images depicting stories from the Siva puranam. There is a big gold plated Kodi Maram as you enter from the east entrance, a Nandi mandapam in front of that.
As you enter from the main entrance or the east entrance, you can see the Varasidhi Vinayagar sannithi on the left. On the rigt side of Ganesha sannidhi is the sannidhi for Vengeeswarar.As you enter inside the sannidhi you cab see the idols of Pathanjali sage and Vyakya Paadhar on each side of the entarnce facing Lord Shiva.You can see Appar,Sundarar,Manickavachar and Thirugnanasambandhar in standing posture are seen. The entrance to the sanctum is beautiful with gold plated covering with Dwara balakas on each side and Gajalakshmi on the top of the entrance.Inside the Karpa graha, the entrance is covered with silver plated coverings and the majestic and huge Shiva Linga of about 5 feet with a five headed Nagaraja as his hood is seen.
As you come around the main sanctum, you see the Vimanam and the back wall in semi circle resembling the hind portion of an elephant (Gaja Prishtam) .On the back side of the sanctum you can see a small idol of Vishnu and the left side you can see Brahma. There is a sepearte sannidhi for Sri Subramanya with Valli and Deivayanai.Beyond that is the sannidhis for Kasi Viswanathar and Visalakhi and a sannidhi for Mahalakshmi.
Ambal Santhanayaki has a sannidhi and she is seen in a standing posture facing south.There is an idol of Bhuvaneswari is also seen there inside the sannidhi.
As you exit, you can the Navagrahas in a small mandapa. There is a samall sannidhi for Sani Bhagawan (saturn), and sannidhis for Suryan,Chandran. There are small sannidhis for Veerabhadrar (another reincarnation of Siva) and Muneeswarar. There is a seperate place for lighting of the lamps for Sani Bhagawan on Saturdays.
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| Inside temple |
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| Praharam |
Temple location It is situated in Vadapalani, Chennai.
Temple Timings The temple is open from 4:30 AM till 11:30 am and from 4:00 pm till 9:00 pm.
How to reach? Vadapalani is well connected by Metro rail, buses and easily accessible by cars and autos.
Where to Stay? Chennai has many star hotels,deluxe,semi deluxe andeconomy hotels.
Contact
Vengeeswarar Temple,
36, Sannadhi St,
Vadapalani, Chennai,
Tamil Nadu,
India, Pincode – 600026.
Phone: +91 44 2483 8362
Useful data
State: Tamil Nadu
District: Chennai
Famous for: Pilgrimage
Languages: English,Tamil, Telugu
Best Season: Throughout the year. Summer( from May to July) could be very sultry when the mercury shoots to 40 degree celsius.
Weather: Summer 33-42°C, Winter 16-28°C
Altitude: Sea level
