Valasaravakkam Velveeswarar Temple - Chennai

By -

Valasaravakkam, now a rapidly growing residential neighbourhood of Chennai, quietly preserves an ancient shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva. Known as the Velveeswarar Temple, and also referred to as Agastheeswarar Temple, this shrine is believed to date back to the period of Kulothunga Chola.

The temple stands along Arcot Road and is striking in its openness. A large lotus pond occupies part of the temple complex, adding to its charm. Unlike many urban temples today, this one is not hemmed in by compound walls on all sides. Open space surrounds it, allowing the structure to breathe and giving it a spacious and serene appearance.


The main sanctum houses Velveeswarar in the form of a large Shiva Linga facing east, with Nandi seated directly in front. The temple does not have a rajagopuram or a flagstaff, retaining a simple and ancient character. Adjacent to this shrine is another east-facing sanctum containing a large Shiva Linga known as Agastheeswarar. The temple derives its name from these two principal Lingas.

The Goddess, Tripura Sundari, has a separate south-facing shrine within the complex.

The prakara surrounding these main shrines houses a few smaller shrines and icons. Vinai Theertha Vinayakar has a separate shrine, and Lord Subramanya appears with Valli and Devasena in another. In addition to Velveeswarar and Agastheeswarar, there is a third Shiva Linga here known as Bana Pureeswarar.


Other deities enshrined within the complex include Dakshinamurti, Bhairava, Hanuman, Rama with Sita and Lakshmana, Navagrahas, Nataraja with Sivakami, and Karumari, each in their respective shrines.

The koshta niches around the Velveeswarar sanctum feature Ganesha, Dakshinamurti, Vishnu, and Brahma, with Chandikeshwara in his customary position. Around the shrine of Tripura Sundari are the niche images of Brahmi, Vaishnavi, and Maheswari.

Though situated in a busy locality, the Velveeswarar Temple retains an old-world simplicity, its open spaces and large pond lending it a distinct character within modern Valasaravakkam.

Happy travelling.



Comments

  1. UnknownSunday, August 21, 2016

    Thanks for this information. planning to visit tomorrow. gives me info on what to look for.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A Rare Navapashanam Murugan Temple in Chennai – Hidden Gem of Hastinapuram

By -
Image
Navapashanam Murugan at Hastinapuram temple, Chennai When we think of Navapashanam deities ,  known for their medicinal and spiritual significance,  our minds often go to the ancient and sacred shrine at Palani . However, tucked away in the quiet locality of Hastinapuram near Chrompet in Chennai lies a relatively unknown temple where Lord Murugan is enshrined as a Navapashanam icon —an unexpected find in a bustling metropolitan city. What is Navapashanam? Navapashanam refers to a rare amalgamation of nine sacred herbal and mineral elements believed to possess immense healing powers. The tradition of crafting icons from Navapashanam is attributed to Siddhar Bhogar , a legendary saint closely associated with Lord Murugan worship. Temples featuring these unique deities are exceptionally rare, making the discovery of such a shrine in Chennai truly remarkable. Navapashanam Murugan at Hastinapuram temple, Chennai The Temple at Hastinapuram Located in Hastinapuram , a developing...
Read more

A Hidden Shrine in the Heart of Chennai – The Nimishamba Temple of Sowcarpet

By -
Image
Entrance of Nimishamba Temple in Sowcarpet, Chennai Chennai, often hailed as the gateway to South India, is a vibrant city steeped in history and culture. While it is known for its iconic temples, colonial-era landmarks, museums, and beaches, the city also hides lesser-known treasures tucked away in its bustling neighborhoods. One such hidden gem is the Nimishamba Temple , located in the congested lanes of Kasi Chetty Street in Sowcarpet , a commercial hub in North Chennai. Who is Nimishamba? Nimishamba is a revered form of Goddess Parvati , the consort of Lord Shiva. The name 'Nimishamba' comes from the Sanskrit word nimisha , meaning ‘minute.’ It is believed that the Goddess responds to her devotees’ prayers and dispels their troubles within a minute—thus earning her the name Nimishamba . According to legend, Muktharaja , a king from the Somavanshi Mutharasa dynasty, was once granted a divine boon that Nimishamba would appear within a minute to aid him in battle ag...
Read more

The Tallest Murugan of Chennai

By -
Image
Consecrated in March 2021, the 40 feet high Bala Murugan icon at Saveetha Medical College campus is the tallest image of Murugan in Chennai. Malaysia has 140 feet tall Murugan. In April 2022, the 146 feet tall image of Murugan was consecrated near Salem in Tamil Nadu. However, they are all stucco images. But, the one that we find on the college campus is a monolithic granite icon. Thus, it is the tallest stone icon of Murugan in the entire world. A stone weighing 320 tonnes was brought from Siruvambur near Wallajah, and it was carved to 140 tonnes to get this beautiful and gigantic sculpture. The entire temple complex is designed in the shape of the Devanagiri letter "Om", which can be appreciated in the aerial view.  The west-facing gigantic sculpture is located atop the star-shaped pedestal. It dominates the entire landscape. A large meditation hall is situated below the pedestal. On the open corridor in front of the presiding deity, smaller shrines are found. They enshrine...
Read more