CHENNAI: A temple that has been in existence for more than five decades at Tambaram Sanatorium is less known to people. Sri Varasiddhi Vinayagar Chellamuthu Mariamman temple, located beneath the Tambaram Sanatorium flyover was built by a resident of the Railway staff quarters and was thriving until the houses here were demolished few years ago. Speaking about the temple, the temple’s priest Manikanda Gurukkal and members of the temple trust say.
“Since it is close to the Tambaram Sanatorium Railway station, the locality housed Railway staff quarters and the temple was built by late Saravanabhava Anandam, who worked in the railways and lived in the quarters nearby. Now the temple is more than 53 years old. Initially, the temple had only the idols of Varasiddhi Vinayagar and Chella Muthu Mariamman and people living at the Railway quarters and others living nearby used to visit the temple regularly. It is believed that the Vinayagar here is said to grant the wishes of any devotees if one worships him sincerely.”
Four kumbhabhishekams were done in the temple so far with the recent one performed in 2012 and the priest says that it was only before that the other deities in the temple like Lord Subramaniar, Ayyappan, Sri Ramar, Anjaneyar were consecrated. Upon entering the temple, at the centre the idol of Ayyappan is present. On its left, Sri Varasiddhi Vinayagar is present and on the extreme left, the idol of Sri Ramar is placed. Opposite to it, Lord Ajaneyar can be seen. On the right side, there is a separate sanctum for goddess Chellamuthu Mariamman and on the extreme right in a separate sanctum, Sri Subramaniar is present.
Navagraham is also present opposite to it. Speaking about the special occasions and poojas done in the temple, the priest says, “In the month of Aadi, on all the four weeks special poojas will be performed to the goddess and during the third-week devotees also offer koozh to the goddess. During Vinayagar Chathurthi, Ganapathi homam will be performed on the previous day and on the day of Vinayagar Chathurthi, the idol will be decorated and special poojas will be happening.
During the month of Chithirai the new panchangam will be read at the temple. On Navarathri, the Amman will be decorated for all the 10 days. Kedar Gouri pooja is also done in the temple. On Vaikunda Ekadasi, special abhishekam will be done to Ramar. Also every Saturday from 5 pm to 6 pm, Vishnu Sahasranama Parayanam takes place in the temple. Ayyappa devotees visiting Sabarimala also visit the temple for irumudikattu.
Though the temple does not have an idol of Lord Shiva during Sivarathri, special poojas are done to the deity by placing a photo of the lord. For Murugan special poojas and abhishekams are done during Panguni Uthram and Thai Poosam and Vaikasi Visakam. Apart from that special poojas and abhishekams are happening regularly during Sankatahara Chathurthi and Krithikai. Every Friday and Tuesday Raahu Kala pooja is also done.
” The temple is being managed by the Arulmigu Sri Varasiddhi Vinayagar Sagitha Sri Chellamuthu Mariamman Temple Trust. However, people in the trust say, “The temple only has asbestos sheet as its roof and it was damaged during Cyclone Vardha. Due to this, water leakage has become a problem during the rainy season. Plans are on to renovate the temple by constructing a permanent roof and also to install Sivalinga idol.
For this to happen, the support of the devotees is much needed and they can contribute whatever they could to the temple.” The temple is open every day from 7 am to 11 am. On Fridays it will be extended till 12 pm and from 4.30 pm to 8 pm. On Tuesdays, the temple will be opened at 3.30 pm. For details contact temple trust president Balakrishnan – 81221 94969.