Kapalishwarar Temple, Mylapore
Located in Chennai, it is one of the Padal Petra Sthalams, celebrated by the 63 Nayanmars, important Saivite devotees.
Thirugnanasambandar, a revered Saivite saint, revived a girl named Poompavai here in the 7th century CE through his devotional hymn, the Poompavai Pathikam.
Originally located near the sea, the temple was moved to its present site about 400 years ago.
The Punnai tree, known for its medicinal properties, is the temple's sacred tree.
The temple’s name, Mylapore, comes from the Tamil word “Mayil” (peacock) because Parvati is believed to have worshipped Shiva as a peacock here.
Parvati is worshipped as Karpakambal in this temple.
Arunagirinathar, a 15th-century poet and devotee of Muruga, praised the temple in his hymns.
The Brahmotsavam, held annually in Panguni (March-April), is one of Chennai’s most prominent temple festivals.
Parthasarathi Swami Temple, Thiruvallikeni
One of the 108 Divya Desams, sacred to Vishnu, and the only one within Chennai’s city limits.
Three Azhwars—Pey Azhvar, Thirumazhisai Azhvar, and Thirumangai Azhvar—praised the deities here.
Deities:
Main Image: Venkatakrishnan.
Other Figures: Rukmini (Krishna’s wife), Balarama (Krishna’s brother), Pradyumna (Krishna’s son), Aniruddha (Krishna’s grandson), and Satyaki (Krishna’s relative), together known as Pancha Vira.
Twin-Temple: Features two main deities:
Venkatakrishnan facing east.
Yoga Narasimha facing west.
Goddess Lakshmi, called Vedavalli Thayar, is the consort of Ranganatha.
The oldest inscriptions date back to the reign of Dantivarman, a Pallava king from the 8th-9th centuries CE.
Marundishwarar (Oushadishwarar) Temple, Thiruvanmiyur
One of the Padal Petra Sthalams.
Nayanmars Appar and Thiruganasambandar visited in the 7th century CE and composed hymns here.
Arunagirinathar also composed Tamil verses on Subramanya.
Sage Valmiki
Traditionally associated with this temple.
Has a rare sanctum dedicated to him outside the main gopuram.
Temple Architecture
Goddess Tripurasundari Sanctum: Likely built during Rajendra Chola I’s reign in the 11th century, based on inscriptions.
Outer Mandapa built during the Vijayanagara era, featuring rare sculptures.
Sacred Tree: The Vanni tree.
Temple Tanks
Papanasini: Large tank outside the temple.
Janmanasini: Smaller tank inside the temple.
Brahmotsavam: Celebrated in Panguni, coinciding with the annual festival of Kapalishwara Temple.
Adipurishwarar Temple, Thiruvottiyur
Alternate Names
Thyagaraja Swami Temple: Named after the processional deity Thyagaraja.
Vadivudai Amman Temple: Named after goddess Parvati, enshrined here.
Temple dates back to the Pallava period.
Main deity, Adipurishwarar, is a Shiva Linga made of earth, not stone.
Padal Petra Sthalam
Praised by Nayanmars such as Aiyadigal Kadavarkon, Appar, Thirugnanasambandar, and Sundaramurti Nayanar.
Notable Devotees
Adi Shankarar, Arunagirinathar, Pattinathar, and Ramalinga Swami.
Tyagaraja, the famous music composer, visited and composed the Thiruvotriyur Pancharatnam
Historical Inscriptions
Includes inscriptions from the Pallava, Chola, Pandya, Vijayanagara, and other eras.
Main sanctum has an important 11th-century Sanskrit inscription of Rajendra Chola I.
Sacred Trees: Mahizham and Atti.
Temple Tanks: Brahma Tirtham and Nandi Tirtham
Kalikambal Temple, Parry’s Corner
Located in Parry’s Corner (George Town), Chennai.
Originally near the sea shore; moved to current location in the 17th century.
Deities:
Goddess: Kalikambal (originally named Chennamma).
Shiva: Kamadeswarar.
Historical Visit:
Maratha ruler Shivaji visited and worshipped here on October 3, 1667.
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