Kolapakkam Shiva Temple

Chennai Kolapakkam  - Sri Agastheeswarar Temple 

Agasteeswarar Temple is a Hindu temple located at Kolapakkam, a suburb of Chennai, India. While the presiding deity is Shiva, this temple is considered as one of the Navagrahas temple (Suryan sthalam) around Chennai region.

Kolappaakkam temple is said to be one of the oldest temples of India, as it architecture dates back to 1000 years ago. The deity presiding in the temple is Lord Shiva but the prominence has been given to Sri Surya Bhagvan. As, it is believed that Sri Surya Bhagvan worshipped Lord shiva here and is one of the Navgrahas temple of Chennai which is devoted to Sri Surya Bhagwan. Similar to the legends, is the built of the temple, where Sri Surya Bhagwan’s shrine is facing the lord to the west while Sri Agatheeswarar is facing east.

And the temple building is south facing, whereas, all the other important deities are facing towards Sri Surya Bhagwan, signifying the prominence of Sri Surya Bhagwan in the temple. Ambaal Sri Aanandhavalli, who is standing and also facing south same as the building is Lord Shiva’s the consociate. Loyal devotee Nandi is facing east towards Lord Shiva.

Chennai Kolapakkam  - Sri Agastheeswarar Temple சென்னை கொளப்பாக்கம் அகத்தீஸ்வரர்  திருக்கோவில்
Main Deity	Lord Shiva
Name	Sri Agastheeswarar
Goddess Name	Sri  Aanandhavalli
Location	Kolappaakkam Near Porur
Significance	Chennai Navagraha Sthalam for Suriyan, Sage Agasthiyar had worshipped Lord Shiva
Ancient	1000 Years Old
Travel Base	Chennai

 Other deities like Sri Ganesha, Sri Dhakshinamurthy, Sri Mahavishnu, Sri Durgai and Sri Sandigeswarar can be seen around the sanctum. A separate shrine of lord Ganesh known as Raja Ganapathy, is also present. At southwest portion of the temple are the shrines of Sri Kaasi Viswanathar and Sri Visaalakshi, which are facing east. Lord Subramanyar shrine in the temple has a green peacock made of granite, known as Maragatha Mayil.

A temple whose construction is 13 centuries old survived till this date is because many kings have provided their aegis to this temple and got it renovated. Firstly, King Aadhithyan renovated the temple during 878 AD. Then Raja Raja Chozha I, Raja Raja Chozha II (1152 AD), Kulothunga Chozha III (1188 AD), Sundara Pandiyan (1200 AD) along with Veera Rajendra Chozha, and also Telugu Chozha king called Vijayakanda Gopala have made their contribution for life of the temple.

An inscription found in the temple stated that, A king by name Sri Vijaya Maharaja of Sumatra Island (Indonesia) has gifted 250 Kuzhi (Thamizh is a unit to measure lands) of lands to Sri Agatheeswarar at Kolappaakkam, during the 8th year of his reign. Sri Vijaya Maharaja was contemporary to Raja Raja Chozha and had very cordial relationship with the then Chozha kingdom. The inscription revealed details of Buddhist activities nearby the temple and Sri Vijaya Maharaja was a Buddhist.

It is said that, apart from Surya Bhagavan, Sage Agasthiyar too had worshipped Lord Shiva here and hence the name Sri Agatheeswarar. Another Rishi called Vaakeesa Muni also had worshipped Sri Agatheeswarar here.

How To Reach : The Kolapakkam shiva temple is located 18 kms from chennai. To reach Kolappaakkam one has two road routes, one from Porur to kolappaakkam via Gerugambaakkam and the other road is diagonally opposite to MIOT Hospitals off. Mount Poonamallee Road to Kolappakkam.

Address: Kolapakkam Sivan Kovil, Sivan Koil Street, Kolapakkam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600116, India.

Chennai Navagraha Temples : There are 9 temples at the outskirts of Chennai dedicated to the Navagrahams. Similar to Kumbakonam navagraha temples.

Navagraha Temples in Chennai
Location	Planet	Temple Name
Kolapakkkam	Suryan	Agatheeswarar Temple
Somangalam	Chandran	Somanaadheeswarar Temple
Poondhamalli	Angaragan	Vaidheeswaran Temple
Kovur	Budhan	Sundareswarar Temple
Porur	Guru	Ramanaadheeswarar Temple
Mangadu	Sukran	Velleeswarar Temple
Pozhichalur	Shaneeswaran	Agatheeswarar Temple
Gerugambakkam	Kethu	Neelakandeswarar Temple
Kundrathur	Rahu	Nageshwarar Temple

 Chennai Navagraha temples are located in and around Kundrathur.

Gerugambaakkam Shiva Temple

Chennai Gerugambaakkam Sri Neelakandeswarar Temple

Neelakanteswarar Temple, is a Hindu temple located in Chennai suburb Kerungambakkam Near Porur in Chennai city, Tamil Nadu, India.

The main deity Sri Neelakandeswarar is situated in a small and beautiful sanctum. The Lord got His name Neelakandeswarar, as he swallowed the Aala Kaala Poison which evolved during the churning of the ocean, after which His neck turned blue. In Thamizh ‘Neela’ means blue and ‘Kanda’ means neck. It is said that the Nandhi in front of the Lord is so powerful, as he absorbs the poisonous breath of the Lord after He consumed poison.

Sri Aadhi Kamakshi is present just outside the main sanctum, facing south. Sri Aadhi Kamakshi is tall and looks very beautiful. She is said to be the first among 5 forms of Kamakshi.

Chennai Gerugambakkam  - Sri Neelakandeswarar Temple சென்னை கெருகம்பாக்கம் நீலகண்டேஸ்வரர்  திருக்கோவில்
Main Deity	Lord Shiva
Name	Sri Neelakandeswarar
Goddess Name	Sri  Adi Kamakshi
Location	Gerugambakkam Near Porur  (Kovur - Kundrathur Road)
Significance	Kethu Pharikara Sthalam, Chennai Navagraha Sthalam for Kethu, Kethu Dosha Nivarthi poojas are done in this temple
Ancient	500 - 1000 Years Old
Travel Base	Chennai

 This temple is one of the Navagraha temples in Chennai region (Thondai Mandalam) devoted to Sri Kethu Bhagavan. There is a separate shrine for Kethu Bhagavan on the southern side of the sanctum. Special Poojas and Homams are performed to Sri Kethu Bhagavan during Raahu Kethu Peyarchi. This is also a Parihaara Sthalam for people having ill effects in their lives because of Kethu’s position in their Horoscope.

Navagraham is present at the north east side corner of the temple. There are carvings of image of snake on the ceiling of Navagraha shrine, which indicates that this temple is a Parihaara Sthalam. The temple is believed to have been built during Chola Kings period.

How To Reach : Gerugambaakkam village is located about 20 kms west of Chennai. While going from Porur towards Kunrathur, one should take left to reach Gerugambaakkam. 

Address: Gerugambakkam Sivan Kovil, Gangaiamman Koil St, Balakrishnan Nagar, Balaji Nagar, Tharapakkam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600122, India.

Chennai Navagraha Temples : There are 9 temples at the outskirts of Chennai dedicated to the Navagrahams. Similar to Kumbakonam navagraha temples.

Navagraha Temples in Chennai
Location	Planet	Temple Name
Kolapakkkam	Suryan	Agatheeswarar Temple
Somangalam	Chandran	Somanaadheeswarar Temple
Poondhamalli	Angaragan	Vaidheeswaran Temple
Kovur	Budhan	Sundareswarar Temple
Porur	Guru	Ramanaadheeswarar Temple
Mangadu	Sukran	Velleeswarar Temple
Pozhichalur	Shaneeswaran	Agatheeswarar Temple
Gerugambakkam	Kethu	Neelakandeswarar Temple
Kundrathur	Rahu	Nageshwarar Temple

 These are similar Navagraha temples in Chennai in and around Kundrathur.

Mannady Kachchaaleswarar Temple

Kachchaleswarar Temple - Broadway Chennai 

Kachchaaleswarar Temple, is a Hindu temple located in Armenian Street Mannady, in the neighbourhood of Parry's corner in Chennai city, Tamil Nadu, India.

The main God of this temple is Lord Shiva known as Kachchaleswarar. The Goddess here is Sri Azhagaambikai. In Tamil, Kaccha means tortoise, It is believed that Lord Vishnu took the form tortoise to save the world and worshipped Lord Shiva here and hence the deity got the name, Katchabeswarar then by years it changed to Kacchaaleeswarar. The sthala vruksham here is Kalyaana Murunkai.

Chennai Broadway  - Sri Kachchaleswarar Temple சென்னை கச்சாலிஸ்வரர்  திருக்கோவில்
Main Deity	Lord Shiva
Name	Sri Kacchaaleeswarar / Katchabeswarar
Goddess Name	Sri  Azhagaambikai
Location	Parrys Corner - Chennai
Old Names	George Town
Theertham	Sivagangai Theertham
Significance	Lord Vishnu took the form of a tortoise and Worshipped lord Shiva Panchamukha Ganapati with Siddhi and Buddhi
Ancient	500 - 1000 Years Old
Travel Base	Chennai

A devotee after worshipping Kacchaaleeswarar at Kanchipuram was returning to his place.  Because of the pouring rain on the way, the river Paalaaru was in floods.  He could not return home.  He was quite anxious to be back home as he had many pending works to do.  But, the heavy rains continued for a week and then only stopped.  It took another one more week for the flood to get subsided.  The devotee placed all his worries on Lord Siva and when the floods settled, crossed the river and reached his place.  But what a surprise!  All the pending works were done and completed.  The Lord on behalf of his devotee assumed the devotee’s form and had finished doing all jobs.  The devotee performed the ‘Sivalinga’ pooja and in course of time, a temple was also erected.

Pancha Vaahana Sivan : When devas and asuras churned the Milk Ocean, the Manthira mountain that was used as the churning stick got drowned in the ocean.  At that time, Lord Vishnu took the form of a tortoise and supported the churning stick, Manthira mountain.   Lord Siva worshipped by him then is called ‘Kaacchabeswarar’ or ‘Kacchaleeswarar’.  ‘Kacchabam’ means tortoise.  The lingam here is on the five seats, koormam (tortoise), naagam (snake), simham (lion), yugas (the aeons) and padmam (lotus).  Such an appearance of Lord Siva is a rare sight.  Those who have ‘sarpa dhosham’ (snake curse) and those who are afraid of poisonous creatures can perform abhishekam to this Lord and worship.  Behind this lingam on the sanctum wall is Sadasivamurthy.  The belief is to worship this form of Lord Siva and the formless Linga together in the same sanctum will alleviate all sins and render mukti.

How To Reach : Kachaleeswarar temple is situated in Armenian Street in George Town near Parrys Corner in Chennai and is at a 5 minutes walking distance from Chennai High Court.

Address: Kachchaaleeshwarar Koil, Agraharam St, Mannady, George Town, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600001, India.

Near By Temples :

Kalikambal Temple - Just one street away from this temple.

Mallikeswarar Temple - Thambu Chetty Street, Mannady, Parrys, Chennai.

Singaperumal Koil

Singaperumal Koil  Padalathri Narasimha Swamy Temple 

Padalathri Temple or Narasimhar Temple is dedicated to Hindu god Vishnu located in Singaperumal kovil, Kanchipuram district, in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Constructed in the Rock-cut architecture, dedicated to Vishnu, who is worshipped as Narasimhar and his consort Lakshmi as Ahobilavalli. The temple is built by the Pallavas during the 8th century.

The main deity here is Lord Narasimhar. This is a beautiful rock cut temple. The temple and even the deity is carved out of a small hillock. Here the Lord is known as Sri Paatalaadri Narasimhar. In Sanskrit Paatalaadri means a reddish hill. The original name of this place itself is Paatalaadripuram. Singa perumal kovil was originally called by various names like Azhwar Narasingadevar and Narsinga Vinnagar Azhwar.

Singaperumal Koil - Sri Padalathri Narasimhar Perumal Temple சிங்கப்பெருமாள் கோவில் - ஸ்ரீ பாடலாத்ரி நரசிம்மர் திருக்கோவில்
Main Deity	Lord Vishnu
Moolavar Name	Patalathri Narasimhar
Goddess Name	Ahobilavalli
Location	Singaperumal Kovil
Ancient Name	Paatalaadripuram
Significance	Padalathri (Ugra) Narasimha Sitting Posture with Goddess Lakshmi in his chest, Rock-cut architecture Temple, Built by Pallavas,
Travel Base	Chennai / Kanchipuram

According to temple sources, this temple has been referred in Brahmaanda Puraanam. Lord Vishnu took the form (Avataar) of Sri Narasimha and killed the demon king Hiranyakasipu. At the time of Narasimha Avataar, this place was surrounded by dense forests. A sage called ‘Jaapaali’ was performing Thapas, praying Lord Vishnu. As wished by him, the Lord gave dharshan to him in the form of Ugra (fierce) Narasimhar.

The main sanctum itself is a rock cut shrine on which the deity too is carved out of the hill itself. So, whoever wants to circumambulate around the temple has to actually go around the small hillock as Giri Pradhakshinam. Hence, Giri Pradhakshinam is very popular here.

The main deity is seen here as Ugra (fierce) murthy, holding Paanchajanya (conch) and Sudharsana Chakra, showing Abhaya Hastha in one of His hands. Sri Narasimha Swamy here has 3 eyes and the third eye is shown by the priest while performing Haarathi. The Urchavar here is called Sri Prahalaadha Varadhar. The Goddess here is Sri Ahobila Valli Thaayaar.  The Theertham for this temple is called Suddha Pushkarani and Sthala Viruksham is Paarijaatham.           

How to Reach : S.P koil is 8 km from Chengalpet on the Chennai GST Road. The temple is in the heart of the city. Singapperumal Kovil is about 25 kms from Tambaram and the temple is just 100 meters off the GST Road. Nearest Railway Station is located at Chengalpet. All Sub-Urban Trains from Chennai Beach – Chengalpet stop at Singapperumal Koil Station.