Maangaadu is a small beautiful village located at the outskirts of Chennai near Poondhamalli. While going from Chennai city on Mount Poondhamalli road, one has to take left from Kumananchaavadi junction to reach Maangaadu.This temple is located very close to Maangaadu Sri Kamakshi Amman temple. This is a very ancient and beautiful temple for Lord Shiva. The main deity here is Sri Velleeswarar. There is no Ambaal in this temple, as Sri Kamakshi Amman is present nearby.
According to the legend, when Goddess Sri Kamakshi performed Thapas here in Maangaadu, Lord Shiva came down to earth to give dharshan to Her and marry Her. It is said that, Sri Sukran (Venus) worshipped Lord Shiva here. When Sri Kamakshi came here to have dharshan of Lord Shiva, she saw Sri Sukran worshipping the Lord. The Goddess went back as She did not want to disturb the prayers of Sukran.Later Lord Shiva directed the Goddess to come to Kanchipuram and married Her there. As Sri Sukran (Velli in Thamizh) worshipped Lord Shiva here, the Lord came to be known as Sri Velleeswarar and also called as Sri Bhaargaveswarar.
This temple is Sukran Sthalam among the Navagraha Temples of Chennai (or Thondai Mandalam). Sri Sukran blesses people with wealth, prosperity, good family, vehicles, fame and social status.
The main deity Sri Velleeswarar is huge and looks very grand, facing east. Lord Ganesha and Lord Muruga are seen at either side of the entrance of the sanctum. Lord Ganesha here is holding a Mango fruit in His hand and is called ‘Maangani Vinayagar’. The place Maangaadu itself had got its name as it was once a vast Mango forest.
Lingothbavar is seen on the outer wall behind the sanctum. Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu are present on either side of Lingothbavar worshipping Him.
There is a separate shrine for Sri Veerabadhrar behind the sanctum. Sri Veerabadhrar is said to have got created from the sweat of Lord Shiva to defeat Dhakshan.
Sri Subramanyar shrine is present at the North West side of the outer praakaaram. Sri Subramanyar is so beautiful and seen with His consorts Sri Valli and Sri Dhevasena. All the 3 deities are made of a single stone. Lord Muruga’s Vaahanam (carrier) peacock is present outside the shrine facing the shrine.
A beautiful Nandhi is present outside the sanctum, facing towards west. It is said that people visiting Sri Kamakshi Amman temple should also have dharshan at Sri Velleeswarar temple and Sri Vaikunda Perumaal temple in Maangaadu, as all these three temples are interconnected with the history of Sri Kamakshi Amman. 
Thank you. Indeed interesting.
ReplyDeleteRegards,
Somasekharan
Great
ReplyDeleteGood work.
also visit eraithirai.blogspot.com for temples around chennai-arvind
ReplyDeletethank you for your valuable information
ReplyDeletesubbulakshmi
I always visit vaikunta perumal and Veleeswarar and it remains very close to my heart. I think you missed to write about the main deity which is huge and very powerful. As we approach the garbhagraha, we can feel the energy of the linga. This temples is my most favourite temples in Chennai. Thanks for the pictures and the detailed write up.
ReplyDeleteSaravanan its a very good work.
ReplyDeletei feel the presentaion of navagraha temples of chennai should be made in such a way so that it appears along with the kanjanoor temple so that people who were not able to go to kumbakonam can go to these temple for parikarams. Thank you very much.
K.Balasundaram.
e mail- balasundaramk69@yahoo.in
Veray Good and usful link...
ReplyDeletevery useful link thank you
ReplyDeleteI too visited this temple. It is a beautiful and calm temple. Lord Shiva looks huge and powerful. The greens around the temple are pleasant. The approach to the temple looks good and you dont feel the City messes.
ReplyDeleteKarthikeyan R
I agree the Lord Shiva looks huge and this temple is quite powerfull. BUt before the Nadhi there is the Paadam of Lord shiva whihc used to be open but its locked. That is quite powerful. It should be opened to the public as who ever wishes from the heart and keeps their hand on the End of the Paadam and pray, they say if the prayer will come through then you hand will slowly go to the front of the paadam and thats true. I have tried it and my wishes have come true and so i request the paadam to be open to public and let the public pray for their wishes.
ReplyDeleteJyotsana D
What are the temple timings
ReplyDeleteChandra.S
visited the temple, after reading the information from here, it was very useful..thank you
ReplyDeleteVery nice and useful information.
ReplyDelete