Arani Shiva Temple
Aarani Sampangi Pitchaaleeswarar Temple
Aarani is a small, beautiful village located about 50 kms
north western side of Chennai near Gummidipoondi. To reach Aarani, one has to
cross Red Hills from Chennai and take the road towards Gummidipoondi.
The main God of this temple is Lord Shiva known as Sampangi
Pitchaaleeswarar. The Goddess here is Sri Sivakaamavalli. The place Aarani got
its name as it lies on the banks of Aarani river which was known as Brahmaranya
River in ancient days.
Lord Shiva has 5 faces; Isaanam, Thathpurusham, Vaamadhevam,
Sathyojaatham and Agoram. There are 5 Shiva temples (Pancha Brahma Sthalams)
near Chennai, representing each of the 5 faces of the Lord. Out of 5, this
temple represents the Vaamadheva face of Lord Shiva. This place was also called
as Vaamadhevapuram in ancient days.
Pancha Brahma Sthalams - 5 Shiva Temples in
Arani River Bank
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Aarani
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Sri Sampangi
Pitchaaleeswarar
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Vaamadhevam
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Ramagiri
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Sri
Vaaleeswarar
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Isaanam
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Suruttuppalli
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Sri
Pallikondeeswarar
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Thathpurusham
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Ariyathurai
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Sri
Varamoortheeswarar
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Sathyojaatham
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Karungaali
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Sri Chinthaamaneeswarar
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Agoram
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Interestingly, these entire 5 temples lie on the banks of
Brahmaranya (Arani) river, till the river merges into the ocean at Karungaali.
Aarani - Sri Sampangi Pitchaleeswarar Temple
ஆரணி சம்பங்கி
பிச்சாலீஸ்வரர் திà®°ுக்கோவில்
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Main Deity
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Lord
Shiva
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Name
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Sri Sampangi Pitchaaleeswarar (சம்பங்கி
பிச்சாலீஸ்வரர்)
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Goddess Name
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Sri Sivagama Valli
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Location
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Arani - in Ponneri Highway
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Old Names
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Vamadhevapuram
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Theertham
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Significance
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Pancha
Brahma Sthalams
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Ancient
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1000 Years
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Travel Base
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Chennai
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This sivan temple is one of the seven temples on the bank of
this river that Saint Agathiar worshiped. This temple has an interesting legend
attached to it. It is said that this village had lots of Sampangi (flower) plants
all over. A man who owned many cows in this village, saw one of his cows going
alone in the bushes and pouring milk by its own. Surprised by this act of his
cow, the man and few villagers curiously went and cut the bushes off including
a Sampangi plant to see what’s under bush. To his surprise, he saw a beautiful
Shiva Lingam in the ground which was bleeding as the Axe had hit while cutting
off the Sampangi plants.
Guilty of his act, the man cut his own hand off as he felt
he had done an irreversible sin. The man’s wife pleaded to Lord Shiva and with
His blessings the man got back his hand. Since the Lord evolved from the
Sampangi bush and gave the man’s hand as biksha (alm), He came to be known as
Sri Sampangi Pitchaaleeswarar.
How To Reach : Arani Shiva Temple is about 45
km north of Chennai, and 15 kms away from Ponneri. Local Buses are available
from Ponneri and Periyapalayam.
Sri Sampangi Pitchaaleswarar Temple, Arani, Tamil Nadu
601101, India
Near By Temples :
Periyapalayam Sri Bhavani Amman
Temple - 5 kms away from Arani
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