I decided to explore some of the ancient Lord Siva temples on the southern Chennai suburb. Starting from my residence at Korattur, I first reached Bheemeswara temple at about 7:15 am. Temple was locked and had to wait for until it was opened, had a good darshan and continued my journey in car to Manimangalam on Mudichur-Sriperumpudur road. (8 kms from mudichur). At Manimangalam, visited Kailasanathar temple and Dharmeshwar temple. Then I continued my travel on Karasangal- Manimangalam-Sriperumpudur which meets Tambaram - wallajabad road. After turning right continue for 2 kms to Mel Padappai- Sri Thazhuva Kuzhaindeeswar temple. (5 kms from Manimangalam). After this, I continued further to visit Nandeeswarar temple at Guduvanchery via wallajabad road and then on Chennai- Trichy highway. (13 kms from Mel Padappai). Total time taken is around 4 hours. Route map and temple details are given below.
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| Courtesy - Google Maps |
1. Bheemeswara temple, Mudichur
Bheemeswara temple, popularly known as Siva-Vishnu temple is located at Mudichur close to Tambaram. Small but beautiful temple flanked by a big tank on the right, also there is another Amman temple on the other side of the tank.
Lord is known as Bheesmeswara and His consort Dharmambigai. Temple timings 7:30 am to 10:30 am and 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm.
2. Kailasanathar Temple, Manimangalam.
This is an ancient Chola temple believed to be nearly 2000 yrs old. This is a calm and beautiful temple with good parking space within the temple. There is a big banyan tree on the other side of the temple which provides a nice resting shade. Lord's name is Kailasanathar and his consort is Gnanambigai.
3. Dharmeswarar Temple, Manimangalam
Close to Kailasanathar temple about 200 metres away is located yet another beautiful ancient Siva temple.
The temple is spread over a large premise, fully fenced and under the control of Archaeological Society of India (ASI). It is declared as one of the national monument.
You can see a beautiful Siva lingam inside the sanctum of main shrine. There are inscriptions on the wall on the inner premises. There is a separate shrine for His consort Vedhambigai just outside the main shrine.
Outside the fenced area, you can paddy fields making us to wonder such a serene place exists in Chennai. There is also a huge banyan tree inside. The main shrine is surrounded by a well maintained and groomed garden.
Manimangalam has a very high historic importance because of the battle fought here between Narasimhavarma Pallava and the Chalukya King Pulikesi II. This battle was fought in Manimangalam during 7th Century AD.
The temple is open from 8 am to 5 pm.
4. Thazhuva kuzhaindeeswar temple, Padappai.
This temple is located at Mel padappai and has a legend similar to Kanchipuram.
Parvati got a curse from the Lord to take a human incarnation following Her closing of the Siva's eyes playfully. She did penance in Mangadu to absolve the curse, Siva directed Her to go to Kanchipuram and continue her penance. On her way, She has installed this lingam and worshipped. After reaching Kanchipuram, Mother created a lingam out of sand and embraced it when there were floods. The Lord became pleased with the embrace, hence the name.
5. Nandeeswarar Temple, Guduvanchery
This temple is located within a short distance from the GST main road off Guduvanchery bus terminus.
This beautiful temple is estimated to be at least 1000 yrs old dating back to Nandivarma pallava period. The Lord is known as Nandeeswarar and His consort as Soundara Nayaki.
