Chennai: Putru Nagathamman temple at Kotturpuram, located inside the Staff Quarters of Anna University was constructed only a few years ago but the anthill there is being worshipped for more than eight decades. This led to the construction of the temple.
“Earlier this place was an empty ground where there was this putru alone. Some elderly people used to come regularly and worship it. Later, a small Amman idol was kept near it and people began worshipping it,” says Natarajan, trustee of the temple.
As many people began coming here, an idea to build a temple was mooted and with Natarajan at the helm, the temple construction began in 2008. “With the help from donors, the temple construction was completed in 2010. On 30 January 2010, the first temple consecration was done,” says Natarajan.
In the main sanctum, Nagathamman is present. On the left, in a separate sanctum is Lord 
Shiva bearing the name Atheeswarar and close to the sanctum on the right is the anthill.
“There was an Atthi tree before, where the Shiva sanctum is present today hence the Lord has been named Atheeswarar,” says the temple priest.
There are also separate sanctums for Lord Ayyappa and Baktha Anjaneya. Behind the main sanctum on the left side is the Santhoshi Matha, which is one of the main specialities of the temple.
“Santhoshi Matha is a north Indian goddess and in Chennai apart from this temple only in Valasaravakkam, there is a temple for the goddess. We built this shrine since a lot of north Indians live around the locality. Special poojas are performed to the deity every Friday during which women participate in large numbers,” says Natarajan.
Near the entrance on the left side, there is a Sai Baba shrine. “The idol was placed only last year. Earlier we used to have a photo of Sai Baba. Every Thursday, special poojas are performed,” he adds.
Opposite to it is the Kaala Bhairavar shrine and there is a big Peepal tree. Speaking about the special poojas in the temple, the temple priest says, “Every year during the New Year, special poojas are performed early morning. During Sivarathri, four kaala poojas are performed including 108 sanghabhiskekams. The Aadi festival is being celebrated in a grand manner as a three-day festival. Special abhishekams using mango is performed to Lord Muruga during Vaikasi Visakham. During the month of Aani, special Thirumanjanam is done for the Anjaneyar. Special poojas are performed during Vinayaga Chathurthi and during Navarathri special decoration is made every day to the main deity and Kumkumarchanai takes place during Vijaya Dasami.”
The temple is open every day from 7 am to 9 30 am and from 5,30 pm to 8 30 pm. “On Tuesdays and Fridays alone, the temple is open till 12 pm,” says the priest.