Anakaputhur

Chennai Anakaputhur - Sri Agastheswarar Temple

Anakaputhur is a town in Kancheepuram district in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. Though situated in Kancheepuram district, the town is actually a neighbourhood of Chennai.

Temple History: Anakaputhur is east of Kancheepuram next to Kundrathur.  Originally the name of the place was Aanaikaputhur, a place for keeping elephants and maintaining them.  Adayar and nearby places were suitable for the purpose during the Pallava rule.

The Story that Sage Agasthya had to come South to balance the level of earth when North went too low due to the huge crowd of sages gathered at Mount Kailash to attend the Shiva-Parvathi wedding, is popular among the devotees.   During his stay in South, sage Agasthya visited many holy places for Shiva worship.  He performed abisheks, pujas to Lord Shiva in this place, hence, the Lord is praised as Agastheeswara.  That Pandavas during their exile, visited this place and worshipped Lord, is an added reputation to the place.

The elephants then staying in this place also carried water and flowers to worship Lord Shiva, according to the Sthala Purana-local history.  Aanaika Puthur – place elephants were protected – is presently known as Anakaputhur after many changes during the course of time.

Chennai Anakaputhur - Sri Sivasubramania Swamy Temple அனகாபுத்தூர் - அகத்தீஸ்வரர் திருக்கோவில்
Main Deity	Lord Shiva
Name	Sri Agastheeswarar
Goddess Name	Sri Anandavalli
Location	Anakaputhur
Historical Name	Aanaikaputhur
Ancient	500 - 1000 years old
Travel Base	Chennai

How to Reach : Anakaputhur is on the main G S T Road on the Chennai - Pallavaram - Kundrathur -Mangadu route.

Sri Agastheswarar Temple, Anakaputhur Chennai.

Another Murugan Temple - Siva Subramania Swamy Temple is very near to this Shiva Temple.

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Senguntha Kottam

Chennai Anakaputhur - Sri Shiva Subramania Swamy Temple

Anakaputhur is a town in Kancheepuram district in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. Though situated in Kancheepuram district, the town is actually a neighbourhood of Chennai.

Chennai Anakaputhur - Sri Siva Subramania Swamy Temple அனகாபுத்தூர் - சிவ சுப்ரமணிய சுவாமி திருக்கோவில்
Main Deity	Lord Murugan
Name	Sri Siva Subramania Swami
Goddess Name	Sri Karunambikai
Location	Anakaputhur
Historical Name	Aanaikaputhur
Significance	White Crow came to this temple in 2005 (Source : Tamil Magazine - Photo added here)
Travel Base	Chennai

How to Reach : Anakaputhur is on the main G S T Road on the Chennai - Pallavaram - Kundrathur -Mangadu route.

Another ancient Shiva Temple - Sri Agastheswarar Temple is very near to this Murugan Temple.

Check this link for more temples in and around Chennai - Temples Around Chennai

Dhandeeswaram

Chennai Velacheri - Sri Dandeeswarar Temple

Dandeeswarar Temple is a Shiva temple situated in Velachery, a suburb of Chennai. The temple was built during the Pallava reign and was repaired and rebuilt during the Chola reign. The temple complex consists of a main temple complex and a tank, and is 2 kilometers towards the east from Guru Nanak College on the Velachery main road.

The Dhandeeswaram (Dhandeeswarar) Temple is dedicated to Sri Shiva as Dhandeeswarar and Divine Mother Shakti as Karunambika.

The Temple traces its mythology to that of Lord Yama (God of Death) who is said to have installed this Lingam and prayed to Lord Shiva for forgiveness and restoration of his strength after he was kicked on his chest by Lord Shiva in Thirukadavur at the behest of saving the life of Sage Markandeya. Lord Yama having lost his strength is said to have created a Tank (Yama Theertham) and installed this Lingam and had fervently prayed to Lord Shiva for forgiveness and restoration of his strength so that he can carry out his duties in full measure. Pleased by his prayers Lord Shiva is said to have granted a Staff (Dhandam) to Lord Yama in this place and restored his strength and hence the name Dandeeswarar - or bestowed of mythical staff. The Lords Consort is Goddess Karunambika (Merciful Mother).

The other important incident associated here is that the 4 Vedas came and prayed to this Lord and regained their strength after they were taken by Somugasuran and were kept immersed in Sea before being rescued by Lord Vishnu in Matsya avatar. Thus this place is an apt one for anyone wishing to regain their lost strength and vitality. The name Velachery is said to be corruption of Veda Shreni (Vedhasreny) (Place of Vedas).

Velachery - Sri Dhandeeswarar Temple வேளச்சேரி - தண்டீஸ்வரர் திருக்கோவில்
Main Deity	Lord Shiva
Name	Sri Dandeeswarar
Goddess Name	Sri Karunambikai
Location	Velacheri
Historical Name	Vedasreni, Dhandeeswaram
Significance	Lord Shiva purified the 4 Vedas with their original glory
Ancient	500 - 1000 years old
Travel Base	Chennai

How to Reach :   Lot of Town buses available from various parts of  Chennai City to Velachery and the bus stop is Gandhi nagar or Dhandeeswaram bus stop between Gurunanak College and Vijaya nagar bus terminus (Velachery Bus Stand). 

Another Temple Yoga Narasimha Temple  is also located very near the Dhandeeswarar bus stop, Velachery.

Dhandeeswaram Temple, Velachery,

Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600042, India.

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Pamban Swamigal Temple

Chennai Thiruvanmiyur - Pamban Swamigal Temple

Pamban Swamigal Samadhi temple is located in Thiruvanmiyur, 13km from Chennai. Pamban Swamigal was born in the year 1848 to a saivite family in a village called Pamban near Rameswaram. The child was named appavu, but later known as pamban swamigal. He was a devotee of Lord Muruga and a great saint.

Pamban Gurudasa Swamigal  popularly known as Pamban Swamigal, was a Saivite saint and poet. He was a devotee of the Hindu god Murugan and composed and wrote poems in his praise. His samadhi is located at Tiruvanmiyur, Chennai.

Pamban Swami's full name is Atiyaserma Sudha Vithiga Saiva Siddhanta Ganabanu.

Shanmuga Kavasam : In 1891 Pamban Swami wrote Shanmuga Kavasam, a powerful hymn of 30 verses composed for the benefit of Lord Murugan's devotees to protect them from illness of body and mind as well as from foes, wild beasts, poisonous creatures, demons, devils and biting insects. 

One day Pamban Swami called Chinaswami Jothidar to look for land in Tiruvanmiyur as his last days were near. Pamban Swami marked the floor corners with his leg that portion of land to be purchased and all arrangement were made. On 30 May 1929 at 7:15 am Pamban Swami called his followers and advised them to believe in Lord Murugan. Then he took a deep breath, held it inside his stomach and entered samadhi state.

Inside the Pamban Swamigal Temple has the samadhi of Sri Pamban Swamigal and small Murugan Temple complex. 

Chennai Tiruvanmiyur - Pamban Gurudasa Swamigal சென்னை பாம்பன் குமரகுருதாச சுவாமிகள் திருக்கோவில்
Main Deity	Hindu Saint and poet
Name	Sri Pamban Gurudasa Swamigal பாம்பன் ஸ்ரீமத் குமரகுருதாச சுவாமிகள்
Location	Thiruvanmiyur
Significance	Pamban Swamigal Samathy ( 1848 – May 30, 1929 ), Pamban Swamy Jeeva samadhi temple
Travel Base	Chennai

Mayura Vahana Sevana Vizha : It is celebarated every year in the month of Margali (a day on which Swamiji received the dharsan of peacocks and Lord Muruga while he was in bed No. 11 in General Hospital, Madras) 

How to Reach :  The Pamban Swamigal Temple is located in Muthulakshmi Road, Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai. The temple is near the Kalakshetra Foundation which is around 1 km from the temple tank of the Marundeeswarar Temple.

Temple Address: Arulmighu Pamban Kumaragurudasar Thirukoil, Mayurapuram, Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai – 41.

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Thiruvanmiyur Marundeeshwarar Temple - * one of  the Thevaram Padal Petram Sthalam in Chennai

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Somangalam

Chennai Somangalam - Somanaadheeswarar Temple 

Somangalam is an ancient, beautiful village having a temple for Lord Shiva called as Somanatheswarar Temple. The main deity here is Somanatheswarar and Divine Mother Shakti as Kamakshi Amman.

Temple History : This temple belongs to the Navagraha temples of Chennai dedicated to Sri Chandra Bhagwan (moon God). According to history, once Sri Chandra Bhagwan got cursed by Dhakshan. Due to this curse, he lost his divine power and forgot all 16 forms of arts he had acquired. To get rid of this curse, he is said to have created a pond in this place called Soma Theertham and worshipped Lord Shiva here. After this, he got back his beauty and wisdom. 

As Sri  Chandra Bhagwan worshipped Lord Shiva here, Shiva here is known as Somanaadheeswarar and the place came to be known as Somangalam. This temple is a parihaara sthalam for those having any dhosham related to Chandra Bhagwan. Sri Chandra Bhagwan has a separate shrine in the temple facing west. Lord Nataraja here is called as Chathura Thaandava Murthy.

Chennai Somangalam - Somanatheswarar Temple சென்னை சோமங்கலம் - சோமநாதீசுவரர் திருக்கோவில்
Main Deity	Lord Shiva
Name	Sri Somanatheswarar and Sri Kamakshi Amman
Location	Somangalam
Significance	Chandra (Moon) sthalam of the Navagraha worship Navagraha Temples in Chennai - Chandran, Other name - Chaturvedi Mangalam Tevara Vaippu Sthalam - Ref : 6.70.10 (இத்தலம் அப்பர் வாக்கில் இடம்பெற்றுள்ள - வைப்புத் தலமாகும்)
Travel Base	Chennai

Significance  : Somangalam is a Chathurvedimangalam, a village donated by the Kings to the Pandits of the four vedas to conduct various yagnas and regular poojas.

This is the Navagraha Temple of Thondai Mandalam which is dedicated to the Sri Chandra Bhagavan (God Moon) . Lord Nandhi unusually seen facing east instead of facing the Lord in the sanctum.     

The Sthala Viruksham for this temple is Sarakkonrai Maram which is found on the northern side of the sanctum. There is a small shrine having small Shiva Lingam below this tree and is called Viruksha Lingam. An image of a tree is carved on stone above this Lingam.

The Vaippu Sthalam (வைப்புத் தலங்கள்), Also Called Thevara Vaippu Sthalam are places in South India that were mentioned casually in the songs in Tevaram, hymns composed in praise of Lord Shiva during 7th-8th century.

How to Reach :  Somangalam lies about 18 kms away from Tambaram. One can proceed on the route from Tambaram via Kishkinta to reach Somangalam. The better alternative is to take the road from Pallavaram going to Kunrathur. After reaching Kunrathur junction, one has to take a left turn (towards south) to reach Somangalam. Somangalam is about 10 kms from Kunrathur. Also plenty of busses ply from Porur directly to Somangalam.

Somangalam is very close to Dhanalakshmi Engineering College (Around 3 kms).

Navagraha temples in and around Chennai

There are 9 temples at the outskirts of Chennai dedicated to the Navagrahams. Similar to Kumbakonam, our ancestors have built temples for all 9 planets in the then Thondai Mandalam.

Here is the list of the Navagraha temples located in Chennai. Click on the name of the temple for more info.

Sri Suryan - Kolappaakkam Sri Agatheeswarar Temple

Sri Chandran - Somangalam Sri Somanaadheeswarar Temple

Sri Angaaragan - Poondhamalli Sri Vaidheeswarar Temple (Uthara Vaidheeswaran Koil)

Sri Budhan -  Kovur Sri Sundhareswarar Temple

Sri Guru - Porur Sri Ramanaadheswarar Temple (Uthara Raameswaram)

Sri Sukran - Maangaadu Sri Velleeswarar Temple

Sri Saneeswarar - Pozhichalur Sri Agatheeswarar Temple (Vada Thirunallaaru)

Sri Kethu - Gerugambaakkam Sri Neelakandeswarar Temple

Sri Raahu - Kunrathur Sri Naageswarar Temple (Vada Thirunaageswaram) 

Check this link for more temples in and around Chennai - Temples Around Chennai

ThiruKaaranichuram

Chennai Saidapet - Karaneeswarar Temple

Karaneeswarar Temple is a Hindu temple located in the neighbourhood of Saidapet in Chennai, India. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva.

This temple has a 7-storied Gopuram with two prakarams(closed precincts of a temple). The main deity is Lord Karaneeswara and Goddess Swarnaambikai (The Golden Mother).

Apart from this, there are separate shrines for Lord Ganapathi,Lord Karthikeya and other Parivara Devtas. This temple is located next to the Saidapet Railway station.

Significance of Karaneeswarar Temple

Ø  The temple has 7-storied Gopurams with two Prakarams.

Ø  Once Lord Indra gave his divine cow "Kamdhenu" to sage Vashista. Lord Indra worried since his cow didn't return for a long time.

Ø  He found that she has been cursed into a normal cow for interrupting pooja and prayer of saint Vashista.

Ø  After consulting his Ganas he found that the holy cow can be redeemed if he built temple to lord Shiva in Mylapore and Thiruvanmiyur. 

Ø  He then ordained clouds (In Tamil 'kar') and then cool they are by wonderful green pasture.

Ø  He installed the Linga and prayed to Lord Shiva, then he redeemed his holy cow and blessed him the status of Gopathi (Lord Of Cows).

Ø  The tank he made is called as "Gopathi Saras".

Ø  People who takes bath on this tank on full  moon days get rid of many of their illness.

Chennai Saidapet - Karaneeswarar Temple சென்னை சைதாப்பேட்டை - காரணீஸ்வரர் திருக்கோவில்
Main Deity	Lord Shiva
Deity Name	Sri Karaneeswarar and Sri Swarnambigai
Location	Saidapet
Significance	Around 500 years old Ancient Name : ThiruKarani (திருக்காரணி) , ThiruKaranichuram
Travel Base	Chennai

How to Reach :  Temple is easily accessible by Chennai Metro Bus and Train. 
Note : The Time stamp shown in the images are in EST (USA Eastern Time), Forget to change the time zone while back to India.

Check this link for more temples in and around Chennai - Temples Around Chennai