Nestled inconspicuously amidst the vibrant streets of Chennai's Velachery, the Pidari Amman Temple may bear the appearance of a humble roadside shrine, but its history and significance tell a different tale. This unassuming temple is, in fact, one of the oldest Sapta Matrika temples in Tamil Nadu, a testament to the ancient tradition of Sapta Matas worship.
In Tamil Nadu, numerous temples dedicated to Sapta Matas, often referred to as Pidari Amman or Chelli Amman, dot the landscape. However, the Velachery temple holds a unique distinction. It once bore stone inscriptions dating back to 966 CE, attributed to Parthivendra Varman, a historical figure believed to have been involved in significant events, including the beheading of Vira Pandya. There is also evidence connecting him to the ancient Pallava dynasty. Another inscription from 967 CE hails from the era of Aditya Karikalan. Sadly, during a recent renovation, these invaluable inscriptions seem to have been lost to time.
This loss is a poignant reminder of the temple's rich historical tapestry now hidden beneath the veneer of renovation. Situated just 200 meters from the Dandeeswarar Temple in Velachery, this modest shrine boasts a tower freshly adorned with vibrant paint as part of its refurbishment.
Within the sanctum, the temple houses the revered Sapta Matas: Brahmi, Maheshwari, Kaumari, Vaishnavi, Varahi, Indrani, and Chamunda. Among these divine female deities, Chamunda assumes the role of Pidari or Chelli Amman, occasionally miswritten as Selli Amman by various scribes. These awe-inspiring sculptures, relics of the Chola period, adorn the inner sanctum. Additionally, the sanctum hosts the utsav icon of Pidari and stone images of Ganesha and Veerabhadra.
Wandering within the temple's prakara, one encounters contemporary icons of Dakshinamurti and the Navagrahas. A poignant touch to this sacred space is the presence of seven bricks, a time-honored tradition representing the Sapta Matas.
The Pidari Amman Temple, though unassuming in its exterior, conceals within its walls an ancient legacy of worship and devotion. As we embark on our journey, we recognize the enduring significance of this historical sanctuary nestled within the heart of Chennai.
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In fact this temple is older than the Vedhasreny temple across the road.
ReplyDeleteWow ! As Gopu also pointed out in other thread , laymen like mr don't even realise the impact of real losses all around us :(
ReplyDeleteThere is such SaptaMaataa statues in Mahabalipuram also no ?
ReplyDeleteMahabalipuram is promoted as auto fill by Googleaandavar !
ReplyDeleteAre inscription stones also valued in international collectors market ? It must have actually been very easy to snuggle inscription stones :(
ReplyDeleteHi
ReplyDeletehow did you come to know that it had inscriptions and it is missing now?
Hi,
ReplyDeleteHow did you came to know that it had ancient inscriptions?
The inscriptions are documented.
DeleteI could not find them when I visited the temple.