Skandasramam - Selaiyur

In Selaiyur, the southern suburban locality of Chennai, Om Skandasramam is situated. The temple that spreads around an area of 0.5 acre houses many rare and unique forms of various deities' idols. Many idols are magnificent in size, which is the major attraction of the temple. 

(Note - I have visited the temple multiple times. I have written about this site in my blog in 2013 CE. As I felt a more detailed write up with some additional details is needed, I am writing about the same place once again now.)

Om Skandasramam was constructed by Sri Sathananda Swamigal, a spiritual leader, in 1999 CE. He was the founder of the famous Bhunaeswari Peetham in Pudukkottai.

Although the base structure is a modern-day concrete structure, the shrines' superstructures are built as per the Dravidian style or as per the Kalinga style. 

The complex has eight structures. The middle one is the biggest building where all the main shrines and various sub-shrines are located. Four sub-shrines surround this main temple in the four corners. (It is called a Panchayatana style). Besides, there is a yagna sala, dyana mandapa and a separate Annadana hall.

The centrally located structure can be sub-divided into five sections. Let us explore one by one.

The first sub-section of the main temple has the sanctums of Bhuvaneswari, Kamala Siddhi Vinayaka, Sathananda Swamigal, Swaminatha, Pratyingira, Sharbeswara and Maha Meru.

Bhuvaneswari

Although the temple is called as Skandasramam, the presiding deity is Bhuvaneswari. Her sanctum is centrally located and is east-facing. As per the practice followed in Sri Vidya Upasana, Bhuavaneswari is the supreme deity. This temple follows that practice. Bhuvaneswari is also known as Tripura Sundari or Lalitha. Her six feet tall stone icon looks outstandingly radiant. She is found seated, and she has four arms. Her arms hold pasha (noose) and ankusha (goad). Her lower arms are in abhaya and varada mudras. At the entrance, the metal relief images of Varahi and Matangi are found as guardians. 

The outer walls of the sanctum have the stucco images of various forms of Goddesses in the niches. They are:

1) Tripura Bhairavai - she is seated; she has four arms

2) Chhinnamasta - she holds her own severed head; her attendants Dakini and Varnini are found on her either sides drinking her blood oozing out of her severed head; two more male attendants are found at her feet

3) Dhumavati - she is in an old and widow form; a crow accompanies her

4) Bagalamukhi - she is seated; she has two arms; her left arm pulls out the tongue of an Asura

6) Rajamatangi - she is seated and holds a veena; a parrot is found nearby

7) Kamalatmika - she is seated on a lotus; four elephants pour water on her

8) Kali - she is blue colored; she is in ferocious form and has Shiva below her feet; she has four arms

9) Tara Vidya - she has four arms; she is slightly fat and has Shiva below her feet

10) Sri Vidya - she is also known Sadasi, Lalita or Tripura Sundari; she is in green color, and she has four arms; she is seated on supine Shiva; Brahma, Vishnu, Rudra, Isvara, and Sadashiva (five heads and ten arms) are found near her feet

All these ten forms of Devi are together called Dasamahavidya deities.  

Additionally, the stucco images of Shuka and Vyasa are also found in the niches.

The vimana of this sanctum follows the Dravidian style of temple architecture. 

Kamala Siddhi Vinayaka

On the right side of the shrine of Bhuvaneswari, the shrine of Kamala Siddhi Vinayaka is located. In this east-facing shrine, the 6.5 feet high stone idol of Ganesha is found. He is seated on a lotus. He has four arms and holds a flower, mango, sugarcane, and an axe. In his trunk, a pot is found. His vimana is in the Dravidian architectural style. 

The outer walls of the sanctum have the eight stucco images of Yoga Ganapati and Uchchistha Ganapati. 

Shantananda Swamigal

On the left side of the shrine of Bhuvaneswari, the shrine of Shantananda Swamigal is located. In this east-facing shrine, the 4.5 feet high marble idol of Swamigal is found. He is the founder of the temple. His vimana follows the Dravidian temple architectural style. 

Sharbeswara

Sharbeswara is the ferocious form of Lord Shiva. It is said that he took this form to control Narasimha, the ferocious Avatar of Vishnu. Many temples have the relief image of Sharbeswara on the pillars. Only a few temples have a dedicated shrine for him. In Skandasramam, not only is there a separate shrine for him but significantly, his icon is gigantic, which is unusual.

The south-facing shrine, having the Dravidian architectural style of vimana, has 12 feet high Panchaloha icon of Veera Sharbeswara. (Panchaloha is a combination of five metals). He is the form of half-lion and half-bird. He has lion legs and a lion face. His tongue is sticking out. He has two wings bearing Pratyingira and Shoolini on either side. His abdomen bears Bhairava and Agni. He holds deer, axe, snake, and fire in his four arms. Two of his four legs rest on a hill. Importantly, Sharbeswara does not hold Narasimha. In other temples, he is mostly depicted with Narasimha on his lap. 

On the outer prakara wall around this shrine, the stucco images of nine forms of Bhairava (Ashtha Bhairavas and Kala Bhairava) are found.

1) Asitanga Bhairava with a swan as his vaahana

2) Ruru Bhairava with Nandi as his vaahana

3) Chanda Bhairava holding bow and arrow in his arms, with peacock as his vaahana

4) Krodha Bhairava holding discus, conch and mace and having Garuda as his vaahana

5) Swarna Akarshana Bhairava - seated with Goddess on his lap

6) Kapala Bhairava having an elephant as his vaahana

7) Unmatta Bhairava with a horse as his vaahana

8) Samhara Bhairava with lion as his vaahana

9) Kala Bhairava - blue colored icon - 8 arms - dog as his vaahana

Swaminatha

On the same hall, facing the shrine of Bhuvaneswari, the shrine of Swaminatha is located. It has a Dravidian style vimana. It enshrines the gigantic 12 feet high stone icon of Swaminatha. (Swaminatha is another name for Lord Murugan, who is also known as Kartikeya or Skanda). Swaminatha is in the standing posture. He has two arms. His right arm holds danda, and his left arm is resting on his hip. 

The outer walls of the west-facing shrine have the stucco images of Skanda in various forms. They are:

1) Parankundrum Murugan - Murugan in seated posture along with Devasena and sage Narada

2) Tiruchendur Bala Murugan - in the standing posture; holding Akshamala in his arm

3) Pazhani - in royal attire

4) Bala Murugan - with his vaahana, peacock

5) Shamukha - 12-armed; seated on peacock

6) London Murugan - 4-armed; with peacock

7) Swamimalai Swaminathan

8) Tiruttani Murugan - with Valli and Devasena

9) Pazhamuthir Chlai Murugan - with Valli and Devasena

The shrine's entrance has the metal plates with all six forms of Murugan (Arupadai Veedu) embedded in it.

Pratyingira

On the same hall, facing the shrine of Sharbeshwara, the shrine of Pratyingira is located. It has a Dravidian style vimana. The north-facing shrine enshrines the gigantic 12 feet high Panchaloha icon of Pratyingira. 

Pratyingira, who is also known as Atharvana Bhadrakali or Aparajita, emerged from the fire emanated from the third eye of Sharbeshwara. Also, she is considered as one of his wings. 

Pratyingira has a lion face and is seated on a lion. The seven-headed serpent is found behind her head. She has four arms and holds noose (in the form of a snake), trident, hand-drum and Kapala bowl. She wears a garland of skulls. 

On the outer prakara wall around this shrine, the stucco images of nine forms of Durga (Nava Durgas) are found.

1) Shailaputri - Standing posture - two arms - holds Trishul - Nandi vaahana

2) Brahmacharini - Standing posture - two arms - holds beads - performing penance

3) Chandraghanta - Standing posture - ten arms - Tiger vaahana

4) Kushmanda - Standing posture - eight arms - Tiger vaahana

5) Skandamata - Tiger vaahana - holds Shanmukha

6) Katyayani - Standing posture - Lion vaahana - four arms

7) Kaalratri - Donkey vaahana - Dark complexion - Bountiful hair

8) Maha Gauri - Nandi vaahana - Standing posture - four arms

9) Siddhidatri - Standing posture - four arms - holds discus and conch

Mahameru

In the center of the temple, surrounded by the above-mentioned shrines of Vinayaka, Bhuvaneswari, Swamiji, Swaminatha, Pratyingira and Sharbeshwara, the gigantic 5.5 feet high Panchaloha icon of Sri Chakra Poorna Maha Meru is found. (Maha Meru is the divine mountain, where the Goddess Shakti resides). Nowhere else in Chennai, we could find such a big Maha Meru. 

Sudarshana

The second sub-section of the temple's main structure has the sub-shrine of Sudarshana, who is also called Chakrathalvar. Here, Sudarshana has 16 arms and this Panchaloha icon is around 18 feet high. The rear side of Sudarshana generally has Yoga Narasimha. However, here the gigantic size of Lakshmi Narasimha along with Bhakta Prahalada are found on the back side. The small-sized stone icons of Lakshmi Narasimha and Prahalada are also located nearby.

This east-facing shrine's outer wall has the stucco images of Vishnu's Dasavatar (ten Avatars) on the niches. They are Matsya, Koorma, Varaha, Narasimha, Vamana, Parasurama, Rama, Balarama, Krishna and Kalki.

The vimana is of Dravidian style. 

The hall in front of the shrine has the stucco images of eight forms of Lakshmi known as Ashtha Lakshmi. 

Ayyappa

On the Sudarshana shrine's true left side, there is a separate sub-section, where the sub-shrine of Ayyappa is located. It has Kerala type small vimana. Unlike the other deities of the temple, the Panchaloha icon of Ayyappa is small. On the prakara, there is a small stone idol of Kannimoola Ganapati found.

Maha Sahasra Linga

On the front side of Sudarshana shrine, the shrine of Maha Sahasra Linga is situated. These two sections of the temples are connected by a mandapa where the stucco images of eight forms of Lakshmi are installed.

Sahasra Linga is 9.5 feet high gigantic form of Shiva Linga. It is bigger than the famous Thanjavur Brahadeeswara. This Linga is made up of 1007 tiny Lingas, thus making a total of 1008 Lingas.

A six feet tall majestic Nandi is facing towards Shiv Linga.

The east-facing shrine's outer wall has the magnificent stucc idols of Dakshinamurti, Tirupati Balaji, Alarmel Mangai and Brahma. All these idols are about 5 to 6 feet high. Nowhere else, we could find such a giant image of Brahma.

The vimana is of Dravidian style. 

Ashtha Dasa Buja Maha Lakshmi

This is a unique form of Maha Lakshmi, where she has eighteen arms (ashtha dasa buja). In this form, she represents the Supreme Goddess and not merely as the consort of Vishnu. It is rare to find this form in South India. 

This north-facing shrine is located near the Sahasra Linga shrine. Here, the idol is around six feet high. The Goddess is in the standing posture and has lion vahana. She is standing on a lotus, and the severed head of buffalo is found beneath her feet. She holds various weapons such as Shiva's trident, Vishnu's discus, sword, bow, arrow, mace, axe, lotus, pot, shield, conch, and thunderbolt.

The vimana is of Dravidian style. 

Heramba Ganapati

On the south-west corner of the complex, Heramba Ganapati shrine is located. Ganapati is 12 feet high stone idol. He has five heads and ten arms and is seated on a lion. On the outer wall, the stucco images of Bala Ganapati, Lakshmi Ganapati, and Heramba Ganapati are found as the niche icons. The vimana is of Kalinga (Odisha) style.

Panchamukha Hanuman

On the north-west corner of the complex, Panchamukha Anjaneya shrine is located. Hanuman (Anjaneya) is 14 feet high stone idol. He has five heads and ten arms and is in the standing posture. He has the faces of Hanuman, Narasimha, Garuda, Varaha, and Hayagriva as his five faces. 

On the outer wall, the stucco images of Bhakta Hanuman, Panchamukha Anjaneya, and Veera Anjaneya are found as niche icons. The vimana is of Kalinga (Odisha) style.   

Shaneeswara

On the north-east corner of the complex, the Shaneeswara shrine is located. Shaneeswara is 14 feet high stone idol. He has four arms. He is in the standing posture with one of his legs placed on his vaahana, crow.

On the outer wall, the stucco images of three forms of Shaneeswara are found as niche icons. The vimana is of Kalinga (Odisha) style.   

Dattatreya

On the south-east corner of the complex, the Dattatreya shrine is located. Dattatreya is 15 feet high stone idol. He has three heads and six arms. He holds trident, roary, conch, discus, lotus and pot in his arms. 

On the outer wall, the stucco images of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva are found as niche icons. The vimana is of Kalinga (Odisha) style.  

Other Structures

There is a vast Yagasala hall. Yagna is conducted regularly every day over here.  

There is Annadana mandapa where Annapoorni idol is found.

There is a small dyana mandapa for meditation.

Although Skandasramam is a new temple, this is perhaps the only temple in Chennai where we would see good examples of various deities' iconography and their different forms. 

Happy travelling. 

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