Ananta Padmanabha Swami Temple - Chennai

Do you know which temple in Chennai houses the Tri Murtis - Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva - in a single sanctum? Do you know which shrine in Chennai boasts the most extensive array of deities? It's the Ananta Padmanabha Swami temple, located in Adyar, Chennai.

This east-facing temple, built in 1962 CE, received the generous donation of the icon of the presiding deity, Ananta Padmanabha Swami, from the Maharaja of Travancore. The icon is a replica of the Tiruvanantapuram Padmanabha Swami.

Inside the sanctum, Ananta Padmanabha reclines on the serpent Sesha, with his right arm positioned above the Shiv Linga. Emerging from his navel is a lotus on which Brahma is seated. Similar to the Tiruvanantapuram temple, this shrine features three doors that provide devotees with a view of the colossal Vishnu image.

Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi sit on the floor on either side, while the sages Markandeya and Bhrigu are positioned behind the two Devis. Adorning the walls are numerous images of sages and celestial beings, including Narada, Tumburu, Sanakadi Rishis, Surya, Chandra, Shuka, Garuda, and more.

Within the sanctum, there are utsav images of Ananta Padmanabha and his two consorts. The flag staff, bali peetha, and Garuda face the sanctum, and Sudarshana, Lakshmi Narasimha, and Ashthabuja Durga serve as the Koshta deities.

Additionally, there are sub-shrines dedicated to Shiv Linga, Navagraha, Anjaneya, and Ganesh within the temple premises.

Outside the temple, you'll come across the statue of Travancore Maharaja Raja Bahadur Shamsher Jang, along with a stone tablet containing his proclamation to open temples to all castes. Originally situated near Raja Annamalai Mandram, the statue and tablet were relocated to this spot after the temple's construction in 1939 CE.

Happy travelling.