Tiruninravur Hridayaleeswarar Temple

Situated close to Chennai, Tiruninravur, a quaint village, holds a unique temple that mirrors the visionary creation of a devout heart. This temple, named the Hridayaleeswarar Temple, echoes the devout journey of its originator.

Within Tiruninravur, two ancient temples grace its grounds. One of these venerable structures is devoted to Lord Shiva, hailed as Hridayaleeswarar in this sacred space. Rooted in the Bhakti movement of Tamil Nadu, the tapestry of Lord Shiva's devotees is woven with 63 distinguished individuals known as Nayanmars. Among them, Poosalar emerges as a notable figure. Despite his humble circumstances, residing in Tiruninravur, Poosalar nurtured a fervent desire to erect a temple for Lord Shiva. However, the means eluded him. Thus, he embarked on a gradual visualization, erecting the temple brick by brick within his own heart. Ultimately, he accomplished the temple's entirety within his spiritual confines and designated a day for its consecration.

Serendipitously, this day aligned with the consecration of King Rajasimha Pallava's newly constructed Kailasanath temple in Kanchipuram. Through a divine dream, the deity prompted the king to postpone his ceremony, directing him to partake in Poosalar's consecration. The king, guided by the Gods, journeyed to Tiruninravur. There, he encountered Poosalar and realized that the temple's existence was nestled within the devotee's heart. This revelation propelled Poosalar's eminence beyond his secluded devotion. Subsequently, a tangible temple was erected in Tiruninravur, mirroring the ethereal one within Poosalar's heart. It's from this heart-centered origin that the deity earned the moniker "Hridayaleeswarar," with "Hridaya" signifying heart.

This ancient Hridayaleeswarar Temple features a west-facing entrance adorned by a splendid tower. Adorning the sanctum's precincts are a flagstaff and the revered Nandi. The sanctum enshrines Lord Hridayaleeswarar in the form of a grand Shiv Linga  facing eastward. In tandem with this sacred icon, the statue of the devoted Poosalar stands in homage. Notably, a separate shrine honors the Goddess Maragadambal.

Winding around the shrines of Hridayaleeswarar and Maragadambal, a corridor houses an array of divine entities. Images of Surya, Chandra, Raja Simha Pallava, Polla Pillayar (Ganesha), the Nalvar (four great devotees), Navagraha (nine planets), Chandikeshwara, and Bhairav adorn this passage. Further enclaves pay homage to Maha Ganapati and Murugan with Valli and Devasena.

The temple's sanctum is crowned with a Gajaprshtha-type vimana. The ceiling showcases intricate paintings, while strategically designed apertures invite sunbeams to grace the corridor's interior. Niche images of Ganesha, Dakshinamurti, Vishnu, Brahma, and Durga grace the sanctum's surrounding walls. The outer corridor hosts the Sapta Mata icons.

With these insights, embark on your journey to the Hridayaleeswarar Temple, nestled in Tiruninravur, a stone's throw from Chennai. Immerse yourself in its profound history, a testament to devotion taking tangible form.

Happy travelling.