Bhagavati Siddhar Peetham

Madambakkam is a locality in East Tambaram, the Southern outskirts of Chennai city. There is an unknown temple dedicated to Bhagavati with many unique features and rare icons. Let us explore this site in this article.

Bhagavati Siddhar Peetham, also known as Kalyana Bhagavati Amman Temple, is located on the border of the Madambakkam area near Selaiyur Camp Road. 

The presiding deity is Kalyana Bhagavati. The face of the Goddess is embedded in a Shiva Linga. It is claimed to be a swayambhu (self-manifested) icon. It is said that the lower portion of Shiva Linga is submerged underground. 

In the opposite direction, Nandi is found. It is usual, but additionally, Ganesha's icon is also found behind Nandi facing the shrine, which is an unusual feature. It is said that this icon is also self-manifested.

This is a private temple built by a saint named Bhagavati Siddhar. The administration is under his Ashram. 

Balaji, Padmavati, Sai Baba, Siddhar and Pambeswarar (the serpent considered a friend of Swamiji) are found on the small pathway around the main shrine.

A significant highlight of the temple is the Iyappan shrine on the first floor, which can be reached via 18 steps, similar to the famous Sabari Malai temple. It is believed that the image of Iyappa was installed by Parasurama, and was later discovered by Siddha. The shrine remains open only during the Karthikai month as per the Tamil calendar.

Many big stucco images and large mural paintings depict various deities throughout the temple. Even the ceilings have divine wedding scenes painted.

In front of Sahasra Lingam, a rare icon of a three-headed Nandi is found. It is similar to the one found in Hampi.

Some of the other shrines found in this temple:

• Siva Subramanya-Valli-Devasena
• Mani Ganapati
• Hanuman
• Kamakshi - Narmadeshwarar (Goddess' face is found submerged as a part of Shiva Linga)
• Chandramouleeshwarar (in this shrine, there are 13 small Jyotir Lingas are present; it is a unique feature as there are only 12 Jyotir Lingas)
• Ganesha with his consort; he has ten arms
• A big Shiva Linga made up of Ghee; it has not melted since it was made in 1988 CE; small Meru mountain and Kamakshi metal icons are also located nearby.
• Anna Pooraneshwari (metal icon)
• Ganesha in the form of Dakshinamurti
• Prasanna Bhagavati Mari Amman
• Utsava icon of Bhagavati
• Danvantari Ganapati
• Narayanana

An oil lamp is found, believed to have been burning continuously for the past 90+ years.

A separate shrine is dedicated a large metal icon of Nataraja and Sivakami.

Around 0.5 km from this temple, a temple named Mappillai Vinayakar temple is dedicated to Lord Ganesha. This temple is very popular in this locality. Behind the Shiva Linga are images of Sundareshwarara and Meenakshi in the temple. Meenakshi holds a parrot in her arm.

Around 1 km from this temple, there is a Kerala-type temple of Guruvayurappan, which is also popular in this locality. In this temple, there is a stone image of Ayyappa. Finding Ayyappa's image made of stone is not usual. 

Happy travelling.

Visit my site, krishnakumartk.com, to know more about the travel guides and other books that I have written.