Chennai: Arulmigu Valli Devasena Sametha Sivasubramania Swami temple, popularly known as Avvai Nagar Murugan Kovil in Selaiyur has a rich history that dates back to nearly three decades.
Avvai Nagar, also known as Burma Colony since it is said that people from Burma were the early settlers here, was formed 50 years ago. Call it a coincidence, like how the great Tamil poet Avvaiyar was a staunch devotee of Lord Muruga, the residents of Avvai Nagar feel that they are blessed to have the presence of a Murugan temple in the locality which is named after the divine poet.
It is not very clear as to how the residents decided to build the temple. But it is popularly believed that people wanted to construct a temple in the locality and decided to have Murugan as the main deity.
In the main sanctum, Lord Muruga is present along with his consort Valli and Deivanai on either side.
Speaking about the speciality of the idol, M Kalaiselvam, one of the trustees of the temple says, “The height of the idol is 2.5 feet. It is said that after Thiruttani Murugan this idol is the tallest. Despite being located in a heavily populated area, peacocks used to visit the shrine in the earlier days.”
On both the sides of the sanctum, there are separate shrines for Mangala Vinayagar and Ayyappan. On the left side, Dakshinamoorthi is present and on the right Durgai Amman.
“The temple’s first kumbhabhishekam was done at the time when the temple was built. During 2013, the second kumbhabhishekam was performed in the temple. At that time, the devotees decided to build a rajagopuram and also built sanctums for other gods in the temple. So, this year, the work was completed and the kumbhabhishekam was performed 24 February,” Kalaiselvam said.
“The first Kumbabishekam committee was headed by K Krishnan, the second one was headed by K Muniyandi who began the works for the rajagopuram. Following his demise, the youngsters in the locality guided by the elders performed the kumbabishekam this year,” he added.
The temple now has a sanctum for Siva, with the Lord bearing the name Vazhakkaruthi Eswarar. “Vazhakkaruthi Eswarar is very famous in Kanchipuram and he is believed to solve legal troubles hence the Lord here was named after him and it is the only Sivan in the neighbourhood with the name,” he said.
On the left of Sivan sanctum, Goddess Maragatahambigai is placed in a separate shrine. On the extreme right side, there is an idol of Lord Aadhiandhaprabhu, which is a combination of Lord Anjaneyar on one side and Lord Vinayagar on the other. Close to that, facing north there are idols of Rahu and Kethu. Next to them is the Navagraha and there is also a shrine for Sivakaala Bhairavar.
Speaking about the festivals and special poojas done in the temple, Kalaiselvam said, “One of the biggest occasion celebrated in a grand manner is Kanda Shashti Vizha which will go on for seven days. On all these days, special decoration will be done to the deity along with homam and abhishekam. On the sixth day, Subramaniya Swami will be taken out for a procession and Soorasamharam will be performed in a grand way. The next day after 21 types of special abhishekam to the deity, Thirukkalyanam will happen. Thai Poosam is also celebrated in a grand manner.”
This year marks the 6th year of Kandashasti Vizha in the temple and is scheduled from 28 October to 3 November.
“Also, during every Pradosham, special abhishekam will be done to Lord Shiva. During Ashtami, special pooja and abhishekam to Sivakaala Bhairavar is conducted. During Ammavasai, special poojas to Adhi Andha Prabhu will also take place. For Navarathri, on all the days, the Amman will be decorated. During Sani and Guru Peyarchi, parihara poojai is also being done,” he added.
The temple is open every day from 7 am to 9 am and from 6 pm to 8 pm. For more details, contact 99400 96637.