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Arulmigu Thiyagarajaswamy Temple Tiruvottiyur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu – Velpu.com

Famous Temples in India

SRI THIYAGARAJA SWAMY TEMPLE

Chennai, Tamilnadu, India

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God

The main deity of this temple is Sri Thyiyagaraja Swamy or Sri Adipureeswarar or Sri Thiruvotreeswarar or Sri Manickathiyagar or Sri Padampakkanathar or Sri Putridamkondar, who is an incarnation of Lord Shiva faces East direction. Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambu lingam is in the form of an ant-hill – it has a tall banalingam but does not have a base (Avudayar).

Interesting Facts

  • Shiva is thus present in Thiruvottriyur in three dimensions.
  • In the formless form of Agni (fire) or Light with neither beginning nor end, alpha or omega.
  • In the physical form of a Swayambu lingam of earth in turn the form of a snake pit facing the East direction.
  • In a form, indescribable as Padampakka Nathar who was ordained as not to be touched by any hand, mortal or immortal.

Best Season To Visit

The best season to visit the temple is Winter season. The best months to visit are September to February.

Weather

Highest - April to June (42 °C during day and 30°C during night)Average - May (33.7 °C during the day and 28 °C during night)Lowest - October to February (26 °C during day and 21 °C during night)Monsoon season - June to September

Dress Code

  • For men the dress code is Shirt & Trouser, Dhoti or Pyjamas with upper cloth.
  • For women the preferred dress code is saree or half-saree with blouse or chudidhar with pyjama and upper cloth.
  • Shorts, mini-skirts, middies, sleeveless tops, low-waist jeans and short-length T-shirts are not allowed.

Do's & Dont's

  • Do bathe and wear clean clothes before you enter the temple.
  • Do respect ancient customs and co-piligrims while at temple.
  • Smoking and drinking is prohibited in this temple.
  • Chewing betel leaves, tobacco, gutka and spitting inside temple is strictly prohibited.

transport connections

Name Distance Contact Number
Thiruvottiyur Bus Depot
450 MTRS 18004194287
Tiruvottiyur
3.3 KM 9677054301
Chennai International Airport
30.1 KM 044-22560551

Architecture

Since Lord Shiva blessed Lord Brahma to create the world at the time of “Pralaya flood” (dissolution) by making way for the pralaya water to recede, this place is called Thiru Otriyur (“votra” or “vatra” in Tamil means receding water). The legend is that Lord Shiva took the form a huge fire to make the water recede and he stayed here as a Swayambu lingam under a Makizha tree. It is said that this is the first (Adhi in Tamil) Swayambu lingam that appeared in the earth after the Pralaya, hence the lord here is named “Adhipureeswarar”. The temple faces in East direction and constructed in Pallava style of architecture. The temple has a seven-tiered gateway tower. The vimanam (roof tower) of the sanctum sanctorum is designed in a special way that is exclusive to Pallava architecture - the Gaja Brishtam, that looks like the rear of an Elephant (Gaja - elephant, brishtam - rear).

Stone inscriptions which belong to the periods of the Chola kings, Madurai Konda Gopura Kesarivarmam, Utthama Chola Devan, Raja Raja Chola I, Rajendra Chola I, Rajadhiraja Chola I and Kulothunga Chola-I have been found. From the Pallava period, inscriptions from the periods of Vijaya Abarajitha Potharaiyar, Kovijaya Niruthungavarmar and Kovijaya Kamba Varma have been found. Among the Pandyas, inscriptions from the periods of Jatavarma or Thirubhuvana Chakravarthy Sundara Pandian have been located. The temple has a Vasantha Mandapam. The temple has a koneru known as Brahma Theertham, Nandhi Theertham.

Religious Significance

Lord Mahavishnu and Veda : It is believed that Lord Brahma created both the celestial gods and the demons. These two groups were constantly engaged in battle with one another. While the demons (asuras) used muscle power, the celestial gods (devas) used the power of the sacred texts - Vedas. Once, two demons - Madhu and Kaithaba tricked the celestial gods to steal the Veda, chopped it into pieces and hid it in the bottom of the sea. Devas sought the help of Lord Mahavishnu to recover the Vedas. After worshiping Lord Shiva here, Lord Mahavishnu fought the demons and brought the Veda back to this place. Lord Shiva put it back in order and purified it.

Serpent Vasuki : Another legend associated with this place is that serpent Vasuki (king of serpants), who had received “Shiva Dheekshai” from Sage Upamanyu, had worshiped Lord Shiva here. Impressed by his penance, it is believed that Lord Shiva appeared from the ant-hill, blessed him and wore him as an ornament around his neck. Hence the lord here is called “Otreeswarar” and “Padampakkanathar”.

Kaliyanar : Thiruvotriyur is the birth place of Kaliya Nayanaar, one of the 63 Nayanmars and a staunch devotee of Lord Shiva. He was a very wealthy oil merchant and wanted to perform services for Lord Shiva. Aware that lighting of lamps in the temple is one of the noblest services, he started lighting the lamps (“Thiruvilakku Thondu”) in and around the temple every day without fail. Lord Shiva wanted to test his piety and made him poor. As Kalianar was left with no money to buy oil for the lighting of lamps - he sold all his possessions, did manual labour, and even tried to sell his wife but found it impossible. Finally, he decided to cut his throat and light the lamps with his blood. Lord Shiva appeared before him. Made his devotion public and elevated him to the status of a Nayanar. This event is celebrated in the Tamil month of Aadi on Jyeshtha star day (Kettai in Tamil). On this day people light lamps in and around this temple to honour Kaliya Nayanar.

Elelasingar : Once Elelasingar - an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva was in possession of some valuable ornaments which were supposed to be given to the king. Two Shiva devotees came to him from Kasi and asked him for those ornaments. It is believed that Lord Shiva instructed Elelasingar to give those jewels to the devotees which he promptly obeyed. When king came and asked for the ornaments, Elelasingar stood speechless. However Lord Shiva came to his rescue and gave him those precious jewels. Hence Lord Shiva here is also praised as “Manickathiyagar” (Manickam in Tamil means Diamond stones). 

Ezhuthariyum Peruman : Another legend associated with this temple is that a king from the “Surya Vamsam” dynasty - Maan Dhada, a staunch Shiva devotee, established many charitable institutions. Because of his continued charitable deeds his longevity was increasing. He was vexed with his life on earth and yearned for a peaceful death. He consulted with many learned scholars and they advised him that his longevity was due to his charitable deeds. They told him to stop all his charitable and religious donations henceforth. Accordingly he wrote a deed and kept it in a safe but still his death was not forthcoming. Again, he called and consulted his advisors who asked him to show the deed. Surprisingly, his deed had been modified and had an insertion of the words “Except Thiruvotriyur”, which the king did not write. The king realized and strongly believed that Lord Shiva himself had done this correction. Thus the lord here is also called “Ezhuthariyum Peruman”, literally translated as the “lord who knows how to write”. There is a mention about this incident in the celebrated Peria Puranam written by Saint Sekkizhar.

Saint Sundaramurthy Nayanar : Another legend associated with Thiruvotriyur is that concerning Saint Sundaramurthy Nayanar’s life. It is believed that he was an attendant of Lord Shiva by the name Alala Sundararan in Mount Kailash. There he came across two girls, Aninthithai and Kamalini, who were attendants to Goddess Parvathi and wanted to marry them. Knowing his desire, Lord Shiva blessed them to born on earth. Alala Sundaran was born as Nambiyarurar, Kamalini as Paravai Nachiyar and Aninthithai as Sangili Nachiyar, in different locations. During his pilgrimage in Thiruvarur, Nambiyarurar (Sundarar) met Paravai Nachiyar and in Thiruvotriyur he met Sangili Nachiyar. At the behest of Lord Shiva, Sundarar married Sangili Nachiar under the Makizha tree here. It is said that under this tree Sundarar promised Sangili Nachiyar that he would be with her forever. It is believed that Lord Shiva hid behind this tree and Sundarar’s promise was actually addressed to Lord Shiva and not to Sangili Nachiyar. It is also said that Lord Shiva himself solemnized this marriage. In both the places – at Thiruvarur and Thiruvotriyur, it is believed that Lord Shiva had played a major role in getting Sundarar married to these two girls. The wedding event under the Makizha tree is known as “Makizhadi Sevai” and Lord Shiva’s foot prints can be seen under this tree. Devotees who are facing obstacles in their wedding proposals worship the lord’s feet here and adorn it with sandal paste with the hope that the obstacles would be removed. Makizha tree, the Sthala viruksham of this temple, where Sundaramurthy Nayanar is believed to have married Sangili Nachiyar, can still be seen in the second corridor of this temple.

History

The temple is revered by the Thevaram hymns of Saiva Nayanmars. The temple is said to be more than 1500 years old. The temple has been in vogue from the Pallava times of 7th century and widely expanded by Chola kings during the 11th century. The was built in the Pallava and Chola dynasties. The inscription dating 954 C.E., the fifth year of the Chola King Gandaraditya indicates that 90 sheep were gifted for burning lamps and ilavilaku a lamp made in Sri Lanka. The inscriptions dating from 1046 C.E. reveal that the 64 bronze Nayanmar (Shaivite Devotees) statues were installed in the temple. Saint Thirugnanasambanthar-1 Pathigam, Saint Thirunavukarasar (Appar)-5 Pathigam, Saint Sundaramurthy (Sundarar)-2 Pathigam, Saint Thiyagaraja Swamigal, Muthuswami Dikshithar and Marai Malai Adigalar had also visited here and sung the glory of Lord Shiva of this temple, the great Saint Vallalar has sung about this God. Adi Shankara is said to have installed a chakra to calm down the Devi and to make her Sowmya roopi (Calm and resplendent).

Temple Timings

Day Timings
All Days 06:00 AM - 12:00 PM 04:00 PM - 08:30 PM

Tours










Airports

Airport Name Distance
Shamshabad 40 KM
Lorem Ipsum 12 KM

Railway Stations

Railway Station Name Distance
Secunderabad 10 KM
Nampally 12 KM
Begumpet 6 KM
Lingampally 20 KM

Bus Stations

Bus Station Name Distance
MGBS 35 KM
CBS 28 KM
kukatpally 20 KM
Lingampally 30 KM
Uppal 35 KM

Private Transports

Transport Name Distance Contact Number
Private Transport 8 KM 9546858757
Private Transport1 8 KM 9546858757
Private Transport1 8 KM 9546858757
Private Transport1 8 KM 9546858757
Private Transport1 8 KM 9546858757

Local Transports

Transport Name Distance Contact Number
Local Transport 5 KM 9546858757
Local Transport1 5 KM 9546858757
Local Transport1 5 KM 9546858757
Local Transport1 5 KM 9546858757
Local Transport1 5 KM 9546858757

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SRI THIYAGARAJA SWAMY TEMPLE

Chennai, Tamilnadu, India

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