Famous Temples in India

SRI TIRUVETTEESWARAR TEMPLE

Tiruvallikeni, Chennai, Tamilnadu, India

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God

The main diety of this temple is Lord Tiruvetteeswarar, who is an incarnation of Lord Shiva facing East direction. Here Lord Tiruvetteeswarar is Swayambu Lingam.

Interesting Facts

  • The Nawabs of Arcot have contributed to the upliftment of the temple during the past. Even today the milk for the Neivedhyam is provided by the Muslims.
  • This is one of the Saint Thirunavukkarau’s Thiruthandakam Devaram Padal Petra Vaippu Sthalam.

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
Triplicane
650 MTRS 18004194287
Chennai Egmore Railway Station
3.3 KM 044-28194579
Chennai International Airport
16.4 KM 044-22560551

Architecture

It was believed that the temple was built during 7th century and damaged completely. It was observed that a cow was milking on a particular place near shenbaga Odai (Now called as Shenbaga Theertham). People excavated and found there was a Shiva lingam with a scar on it’s top (hence called as Thiruvetteeswarar). The temple was reconstructed latter and Ambal moortham was found in the Shenbaga Theertham and called Shenbagambigai. Arulmigu Tiruvetteeswarar Temple faces in East with 5 tier Rajagopuram. The temple has three flag posts-Kodi Maram for Lord Shiva, Lord Shanmuga and Mother Ambica and Artha Mandapam, A carving of Mahalakshmi performing pooja to Lord Shiva is seen on a pillar here. The temple have two prakarams, The wall around the sanctum has the niche images of Ganesha, Vishnu, Dhakshinamoorthi, Sudarshan, Brahma and Durga and the koneru is known as Shenbaga Theertham.

Religious Significance

Thiruvetteeswarar: During his pilgrimage, Arjuna struck a swine which was also shot at simultaneously by Lord Shiva in the guise of a hunter. Lord Shiva claimed the animal as his prize. Arjuna countered the claim. In the battle that followed between the two, Arjuna struck the Lord. Lord appeared before him bleeding and smiling. Arjuna fell at the feet of the Lord and begged his pardon. Lord presented Arjuna the Pasupathastra missile for which he undertook the pilgrimage. Continuing his pilgrimage, he found a Swayambu Linga in this place, installed and worshipped. As the Lord granted darshan to Arjuna in the guise of a hunter, he is named Parthaprakara Linga and Thiruvetteeswarar. To make amends for his act of beating the Lord, Arjuna was born as Kannappa in the next birth and offered his eyes to Lord Shiva, blessed and elevated to the status of Nayanmars. Remembering this event, Kannappa is taken in procession on the Mrigashirsha star day in the month of Thai (January-February).

Rahu Kethu Parihara Sthalam: During the churning of the milk ocean, a demon Swarbanu cunningly sat among the Devas and succeeded in getting and consuming the nectar. This was brought to the notice of Lord Vishnu by Sun and Moon. Lord Vishnu struck him with the spoon used for serving the nectar. He fell down in two pieces. The head joined the body of a snake. The remaining body joined the head of a snake and also got the status of planets with the blessings of Lord Shiva. Thus the demon got two forms as Rahu and Ketu. To revenge Sun and Moon, these planets devour them for a brief period sometimes, what we call solar and Lunar eclipse. They are depicted such in the temple on wall in the mandapam opposite the sanctum sanctorum, covered by silver. Devotees offer the related pulses for these planets – Ulundu for Rahu and Kollu or horse gram for Ketu to Lord Thiruvetteeswarar with Mandhara and red flowers.

Mother Mahalakshmi worshipped Lord Shiva here: It is said that Mother Mahalakshmi worshipped Lord Shiva here to have the Hand of Lord Vishnu. Supporting this story, Mother Mahalakshmi is seen performing abishek to Lord Shiva depicted in a pillar sculpture.

History

This temple is a 500 years old temple. ​A passing reference to a Vedicchuram in Appar’s Thevaram has been cited to show that the shrine was in existence even in the 7th century. Nawabs of Arcot have contributed to temple development. Goddess Parvathi is said to have performed penance here. Parasurama is said to have prayed to Shiva here to offset the sin he attained by killing his mother. Indra pooja is performed in the temple during Purattasi (September-October) as Indira worshipped lord here, with the shrine decorated with vegetables, fruits and sweet preparations.

Temple Timings

Day Timings
All Days 06:00 AM - 11:00 AM 05:00 PM - 09:30 PM

Pooja

Kalasanthi Pooja
All Days
06:30 - 07:00
Sayaratchai Pooja
All Days
17:00 - 18:00
Arthajamam Pooja
All Days
21:00 - 21:30

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 TIRUVETTEESWARAR TEMPLE

Tiruvallikeni, Chennai, Tamilnadu, India

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