The Chennai Temple where Shiva was worshipped by a Crane

Chennai is home to numerous ancient temples, each of which has its unique history and cultural significance. Among these temples, the Shiva temple in Mylapore, where a peahen worshiped Lord Shiva, is quite famous. However, not many people know about another temple in Saidapet, which a crane worshiped.

Located in Saidapet, the Vada Tirunaraiyur Shiva temple is believed to be the oldest temple in the area. However, there is not enough historical evidence to verify this claim. The temple is said to have a Shiva Linga that has been worshiped for centuries under a holy tree. Legend has it that a merchant named Sadhya built the temple in the 12th century, and the village was known as Sadhyapuri in ancient times.

The temple's name, Vada Tirunaraiyur, comes from the Tamil word 'Narai,' which means crane. There is a famous temple near Chidambaram called Tirunaraiyur, where a Gandharva in the form of a crane performed regular poojas to Lord Shiva. As the Saidapet temple is located in the north of that place, it is called Vada Tirunaraiyur, where Vada means north.

The temple's current structure appears to have been built relatively recently. The main shrine was likely constructed in the 1700s, with other shrines added in the 1900s. Numerous renovations have taken place in recent years.

The presiding deity, named Soundareshwarar, is in the form of a small Shiva Linga. His consort Tripura Sundari is enshrined in south facing shrine separately.

Although there is an east-facing entrance with a small gopuram, visitors use only the south-facing entrance. The lintel of this entrance and another mandapa inside the temple feature stucco images of the crane (Narai) worshipping the Shiva Linga.

While the temple has two prakaras (circumambulatory paths), both are narrow. Other deities present in the temple include the 63 Nayanmars, Nataraja-Sivakami, Surya, Bhairava, and Nava Grahas. Several bronze icons are housed in two or three sub-shrines. Additionally, small images of Ganesha and Subramanya are located at the entrance to the main shrine. The usual Nandi mandapa, bali peetha, and dhwajastambha are also present.

A sacred Vanni tree, believed to be several centuries old, can be found in the outer prakara. A modern-day, tiny apsidal (Gajaprshtha) shrine containing the Vanneeswara Linga is located beneath the tree.

The west-facing shrine of Ganesha has become an independent temple in the name of Vara Siddhi Vinayaka.

Happy travelling.