Kundrathur Kandazheeswarar Temple

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 intertwined with the legacy of Sekkizhar, the eminent poet and the author of the revered Periya Puranam. Legend has it that Sekkizhar, whose roots traced back to this very village, made regular pilgrimages to this temple to seek the divine blessings of Kandazheeswarar.

Temple Layout:

The Kandazheeswarar temple, though relatively lesser-known, holds a sacred space near the Kundrathur bus stand, adjacent to the Vishnu temple known as the Uraga Perumal temple. A south-facing entrance welcomes devotees, with no towering gopura to overshadow its modest grandeur.

The sanctum, facing eastward, cradles a majestic Shiv Linga, the embodiment of Kandazheeswarar. At the forefront of the sanctum, images of Lord Ganesha and Subramanya-Valli-Devasena extend their divine presence.

Within the Ardha Mandapa, to the south, lies the shrine of Nagaimukha Valli, both her name and that of Lord Shiva resonating as poetic gems in the Tamil language. The temple's inner sanctum hosts niche images of Ganesha, Dakshinamurti, Lingodbhava, Brahma, and Durga, with Chandikeshwara taking his customary position.

The temple boasts two prakaras, or enclosures.

In the outer prakara, an array of sub-shrines and sacred icons await discovery. Surya, the revered Nalvar, the divine Linga with Balambikai, Karpaga Vinayaka, the 63 Nayanmars alongside Ganesha, Bhairava, Navagraha, and yet another Ganesha beneath the shade of a sacred tree—all contribute to the spiritual tapestry of this sacred space.

One remarkable relief panel immortalizes Kannappa Nayanar, who offered the ultimate sacrifice by plucking out his eye to worship the Lord's Linga.

Within the sub-shrine of Bhairava, an intriguing triad of Bhairava icons emerges, each distinctive in its portrayal:

1. Kapala Bhairav, mounted upon an elephant.
2. Samhara Bhairav, astride a majestic lion.
3. Unmatta Bhairav, accompanied by a gallant horse.

Though these icons may not be ancient, their unique presence within this temple adds a distinctive allure.

As you embark on this spiritual journey, may your travels be blessed and your heart enriched by the mystical aura of the Kandazheeswarar temple.

Happy travelling.