Indian Columbus

Kolapakkam, a relatively obscure locality in the vicinity of Chennai city, is flanked by better-known areas such as Nandampakkam and Porur. Amidst the multitude of Agasteeswarar temples in and around Chennai, the one situated in Kolapakkam holds a distinct significance. This article aims to delve into the unique attributes of this ancient temple. Highlights: God  -  Agasteeswarar   Goddess  -  Anandavalli Teerth (Holy Water) - Amrudha Pushkarani Sthala Vruksha (Holy Tree) - Peepul It is a Surya sthalam and one of Navagraha sthalams of Chennai Legend: According to local legend, the revered sage Agastya not only worshipped the Shiv Linga  within this temple but also personally installed it. This divine association is the reason for the deity's name, Agasteeswarar. Another significant belief is that the Sun God, Surya, engaged in worship at this very temple, thus bestowing upon it the status of a Surya Sthalam. Additionally, the temple h...

Gerugampakkam, a relatively obscure locality in close proximity to Chennai city, is situated near the well-known area of Porur. Within this locale stands an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, known as the Neelakantheswarar Temple. In this article, we shall delve into the details of this sacred site. The Neelakantheswarar Temple is among the Navagraha Sthalams in Chennai and holds a special status as a Ketu Sthalam. While historical records suggest its origins in the Chola period, the present-day structure of the temple is considerably modest and lacks prominent architectural features associated with that era. Within the temple, the sanctum faces eastward and houses the venerated Shiv Linga, revered as Neelakantheswarar. Additionally, a separate south-facing shrine is dedicated to an imposing image of Adi Kamakshi, renowned for her captivating beauty. It is believed that she represents the eldest among the five different forms of Kamakshi. The temple also features a distinct ...

Kovur, a tranquil haven near Chennai city, holds a rich historical secret. Nestled between the well-known areas of Porur and Kundrathur, this village is home to the magnificent Sundareswarar temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. In this article, we embark on a journey to explore the wonders of this sacred site. Highlights: God  -  Sundareswarar or Tirumeneeswarar Goddess  -  Soundarambikai or Tiruvudai Nayaki Teerth (Holy Water) - Shiva Ganga Teerth Sthala Vruksha (Holy Tree) - Bilva It is a Budha sthalam and one of Navagraha sthalams of Chennai Sri Tyagaiyar had sung hymns on the presiding deity of this temple, which is very rare as he had sung mainly about Lord Ram Legend: Legend has it that Goddess Kamakshi embarked on a rigorous penance, standing amidst the Panchagni's scorching flames. The intense heat tormented the surrounding areas, causing immense suffering to the people. In response to the pleas of the Devas, who sought relief from th...

Kundrathur, a serene enclave near Chennai city, is renowned for its hilltop Murugan temple, drawing visitors from far and wide. However, hidden amidst its tranquil surroundings lies a lesser-known yet ancient gem - the Tiru Uraga Perumal temple. In this article, we embark on a journey of discovery to unravel the mysteries of this sacred site. Legend: The origins of this temple are steeped in a captivating legend. It is said that Kulotunga Chola, a ruler of his time, fell victim to a debilitating illness. In his hour of distress, Lord Vishnu graced the King with a divine dream, instructing him to make a pilgrimage to the Tiru Uraga Perumal temple in Kanchipuram. Following this divine counsel, the King embarked on the pilgrimage and miraculously found a cure for his ailment. Overflowing with gratitude, Kulotunga Chola resolved to honor the deity by erecting a temple in Kundrathur. During the temple's construction, a remarkable event occurred. Lord Vishnu, in the guise of ...

Nestled in the serene vicinity near Chennai city lies Kundrathur, a tranquil village renowned for its hilltop Murugan temple. Beyond the fame of this prominent temple, Kundrathur harbors a treasure trove of lesser-known ancient shrines. In this article, we embark on a journey to explore one such hidden gem—the Kandazheeswarar temple. Legend: The tale woven in the annals of time speaks of Lord Subramanya, affectionately known as Murugan, gracing the hills of Kundrathur during his celestial voyage from Tiruporur to Tiruttani. It is here that he chose to install a sacred Shiv Linga, which now stands as the presiding deity of the Kandazheeswarar temple. History: This sacred haven, rooted in history, harks back to the illustrious Chola era, and it is widely believed that the temple was constructed, perhaps under the patronage of Kulotunga Chola II. Even the illustrious Krishnadeva Raya left his mark through contributions to this hallowed abode. Notably, Kundrathur is intert...

Kundrathur, nestled serenely near Chennai city, is a place of tranquility, boasting a multitude of temples that whisper tales of divinity. Among these sacred abodes, the hilltop Murugan temple shines as the star attraction, drawing pilgrims and devotees from far and wide. In this article, we embark on a spiritual journey to explore the essence of this revered temple. Legend: The echoes of legend reveal that Lord Subramanya, affectionately known as Murugan, graced the hills of Kundrathur during his celestial sojourn from Tiruporur to Tiruttani. During his stay, he also chose to bless this sacred land by installing a Shiv Linga. History: The temple's historical roots lead us to the reign of Kulotunga Chola II, who is credited with its construction. Temple Layout: Perched atop a small hill, this renowned temple stands as a testament to spirituality, beckoning seekers through 84 steps that lead to its sanctum. Notably, it is the only Murugan temple to fac...

Kundrathur  is situated at a distance of 13 km from Tambaram, the southern suburb of Chennai city. The locality is known for its numerous ancient temples. The famous Tamil scholar and poet Sekkizhar was from this village. He lived in the 12th century C.E. during the period of Kulotunga Chola II. He was the author of Periya Puranam, which talks about the lives and greatness of 63 Nayanmars in detail. It is believed that he was instrumental in building the main temple of the village, Nagesvarar. To honor this great saint, his residence was converted into a temple. Based on the structural style, it can be assumed that the temple was built some 200 or 300 years ago. Sekkizhar is found in the standing posture with his right arm in abhaya mudra and holding a palm leaf booklet in his left arm. Happy travelling. Visit my site,  krishnakumartk.com , to know more about the travel guides and other books that I have written.

Kundrathur, a serene suburb in the vicinity of Chennai city, is renowned primarily for its hilltop Murugan temple. Nestled in this village is an ancient and grand temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, known as Nageswarar temple. Adjacent to this sacred shrine, one can find the Sekkizhar Mani Mandapa, which we shall explore in this article. Sekkizhar, the illustrious Tamil scholar and poet, hailed from Kundrathur. His life flourished in the 12th century CE during the reign of Kulotunga Chola II. Sekkizhar is most celebrated for his magnum opus, "Periya Puranam," an epic that meticulously chronicles the lives and extraordinary virtues of the 63 Nayanmars. Notably, it was Sekkizhar himself who commissioned the construction of the Nageswarar temple. In honor of this revered poet, a spacious hall was erected near the Nageswarar temple in more recent times, bearing the name Sekkizhar Mani Mandapa. At the heart of this grand hall stands a dignified statue of Sekkizhar. Within the Ma...

Kundrathur, a tranquil enclave near Chennai city, owes its popularity primarily to the hilltop Murugan temple gracing its landscape. However, the village also boasts an ancient and grand temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, a spiritual gem known as Nageswarar temple. In this article, we embark on a journey to explore the rich tapestry of this sacred site. Highlights: God  -  Nageswarar  Goddess  -  Kamakshi Teerth (Holy Water) - Surya Pushkarani It is a Rahu sthalam and one of Navagraha sthalams of Chennai It is considered as equivalent to Tirunageswaram It is also called as Vada Tirunageswaram Legend: In recent years, the original Shiv Linga icon, which had been installed by the esteemed scholar and poet Sekkizar, had suffered damage. In response, the villagers replaced the icon with a new one. However, a divine intervention occurred when Lord Shiva appeared in a devotee's dream, instructing them to reinstate the original icon. Consequen...