Velichai Pasupatheeswarar Temple
"What is the big deal?" - I can hear what you think. :-)
Well! Let me try putting it this way...you can find Buddha also in this Shiva temple.
Not surprised yet?
Yes, you read it correctly! Jesus Christ is worshiped as a deity. Daily food offering called "naivedyam" is made to him.
The name of the temple is Pasupatheeswarar. It is located in Velichai village. The distance is around 3 km from the famous Anjaneya temple in Vandalur-Kelambakkm Roam in Pudupakkam.
The route from Kelampakkam-Vandalur High Road to this temple is secluded, and except for 2-3 factories, nothing else is found. Public transport is unavailable, and the villagers reside a little away from the temple. Due to these reasons, the temple remains little known.
History:
Pasupatheeswarar temple is a private temple. Initially, it was built for the purpose of private worship for a saint called Gnanacheri Gnanigal.
Sadashiva Brahmendra was an Advaita philosopher who lived in the late 17th century and the early 18the century. He was also a Carnatic music composer. In the earlier births, he was born as Dattatreya, Ugra Pandya, Aanaya Nayanar, Vilvamangala Swamigal, and Abirami Bhattar (as per the belief). In the later part of his life, Swamiji became a Mouna Guru and never spoke.
It is believed that Swamiji took rebirth in the 20th century in Tamil Nadu. He started a religious organization called Gnanacheri in 1979 CE, and hence the devotees called him Gnanacheri Gnanigal.
Pasupatheeswarar temple and the subsidiary shrines were built on the site owned by Swamiji. The kumbabhisheka (consecration) of the temple was done in 1999 CE.
Temple Layout
Pasupatheeswarar
The east-facing sanctum enshrines Shiva Linga called Pasupatheeswarar. The Goddess Simha Priya is enshrined in the south-facing shrine located in Maha Mandapa.
At the sanctum entrance, small icons of Ganesha and Kartikeya are found.
In the Maha Mandapa, there is a shrine for the small utsava images of Nataraja and Shivakami.
The flagstaff, bali peetha and Nandi Mandapa face the sanctum.
Ganesha, Dakshinamurti, Lingodbhava, Brahma and Vishnu Durga are found as the Koshta deities on the outer walls. Chandikeshwara is found in his usual location.
In the prakara, the sub-shrines of Ganesha and Murugan with his two consorts are situated. Dattatreya, Adigalar, Surya, Chandra, Bhairava and Navagraha are other deities found in this section of the temple.
A small stucco image of Hanuman in a tall pillar is also situated.
Sundara Varadaraja Perumal
In the prakara, a separate east-facing shrine with a front side mandapa is dedicated to Varadaraja Perumal. Perumal is found along with his consorts Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi. A small north-facing sub-shrine has Kanaka Valli in Maha mandapa. The hall also has the small images of Garuda and Hanuman, both in Anjali mudra facing Perumal.
Krishna playing the flute is found as the Koshta deity.
Viswaroopa Anjaneya
The mural paintings depict some of the ferocious forms of Goddesses such as Varahi and Kali.
Samadhi
Other Deities
In a corner in the prakara of Pasupatheeswarara shrine, a group of deities is situated in a single shrine. The list of those Murtis who were initially worshiped by Swamiji include:
- Panduranga and Ragumayee
- Pasupatheeswarara (Shiv Linga) and Simha Priya
- Sundara Varadaraja Perumal with Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi
- Durga
- Murugan with Valli and Devasena
- Siddhi Vinayaka
Importantly, two images are kept separately under the trees near this shrine. One is Lord Buddha, and the other icon is...believe me...it's Jesus Christ. Probably, no other Hindu temple enshrines Christ. To depict that Gnanacheri Gnanigal did not differentiate the religions, the sculptures of Buddha and Jesus are kept in this temple.
Happy travelling.
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