Chennai: Sri Adhipureeswarar Temple, located in Pallikaranai, is a temple of historical significance. Originally built by the Cholas, it turned to ruins and only during the late 1990s was rebuilt by the locals and is now a prominent temple in the locality.
Speaking about the temple, Ashok Swami, the temple priest, says, “The historical name of the place is Puliyur Karaianur, which later becameĀ Pallikaranai. This place is said to have been surrounded by vilvaĀ trees. There was a saint called Vyakarapathar, who worshipped Lord Shiva wherever he went. Upon reaching this place and seeing the numerous vilva trees, he decided to worship the Lord by fashioning a Linga. He also sat in penance and asked for a boon from the Lord to give him tiger limbs so that it would be easier for him to climb the trees and pluck the flowers for the pooja. The boon was also granted and he began worshipping the Lord here,” said the priest.
Thousands of years later, the place was ruled by a Chola king, which came under Jayamkonda Chola Mandalam. They discovered a Linga at this place and decided to build a temple, said the priest.
The Shiva deity was called Adhipureeswarar and Ambal was calledĀ Shanthanayagi Amma.
“However, the temple became ruins after some time. It was only during the advent of the 21st century that people living in the area came together and formed the Shanthanayagi Trust and decided to renovate the temple,” added the priest.
The temple was built completely from scratch and in 2013, kumbhabhishekam was performed.
In the main sanctum is present Lord Adhipureeswarar in Linga form, facing east and on the left, in a separate sanctum, is Goddess Shanthanayagi. There is also Kaala Bhairavar placed in the garbagraha.
Outside the main sanctum, Sri Rajaganapathy and Sri Balamurugan are placed on either side. Opposite, on both sides of the entrance, the idols of Patanjali Munivar and Vyakarapathar Munivar can be seen.
On the left, in front of the main sanctum, is present Lord Shiva Anjaneyar, facing west. Opposite to it, on the backside of the mainĀ sanctum, is the Arulmigu Sri Mahaganapathy and Sri Valli Devasena
samedha Sri Subramaniar.
All the 63 Nayanmars are placed adjacent to each other on the left. Placed around the sanctum on the left wall is Sri Narthana Ganapathy, Sri Dakshinamurthi, on the back wall, Sri Mahavishnu, and Sri Brahma and Sri Durgai on the right wall.
Navagraha is placed on the right. The Chola inscription of peacock and naga worshipping Lord Siva, and Kannappa Nayanar, are present on the outer walls of the main sanctum.
“The temple is a parihara sthalamĀ for Rahu- Ketu dosham. On theĀ farther right side is Lord Vinayagar and Rahu-Ketu are placed adjacent to each other on a pedestal. Worshipping them will rid one of all dosha,” says the priest.
Placed in front of it is the Navagraha and adjacent is Sri Swarna Akarshana Bhairavar. “The temple tree is also very special as peepal tree, neem tree, vilva tree, tulsi plant and vanni tree all intertwined into one. If childless couples worship the tree during Somavara by doing pradakshanam, their wish will be granted,” he adds.
Everyday three kaala abhishekam is performed to Lord Shiva and two kaala abhishekam for the Goddess. Almost all important festivals areĀ celebrated here and speciality is Nandikeshwarar Thirukalyanam, which is performed every year.
Another speciality is that during Sivarathri every year, exactly at 6.55 am, the sun’s rays fall directly on the Lingam, says Ashok Swami.
The temple is open from 6 to 11.30 am and 5 to 8.30 pm.