Aminjikarai is an old locality situated on the banks of the river Cooum in Chennai city. It was originally called as Amaindakarai. Shenoy Nagar and the popular Anna Nagar were part of Aminjikarai once.
In a lane near the Lakshmi bus stop in Aminjikarai, the twin temples of Ekambareswarar and Prasanna Varadaraja Perumal are located. There are many twin temples across the city of Chennai in the areas such as T Nagar, Koyambedu and Tambaram. Similarly Aminjikarai also has twin temples, but they are not as popular as the other twin temples of Chennai. As Ekambareswarar and Varadarajar temples are located in the same locality like Kanchipuram, there are people who call Aminjikarai as North Kanchipuram.
This article focuses only about Prasanna Varadaraja Perumal temple among these two temples.
As per historian Sri. Muthiah, this temple is hardly 100 years old. However, as per the temple authorities of Ekambareswarar temple, it was built by Sri. Sengalvarayar Mudaliar who belonged to Poonamallee Kondai Kati Vellalar family in 1650s or 1660s. As per them, Prasanna Varadaraja Perumal temple was older than Ekambareswarar temple. I too believe that this temple must have been built in 1600s and not in the 20th century CE. At the same time, I don't think this temple is very old; it does not appear to me that it was not built during the Vijayanagara period or Nayaka period.
In a lane near the Lakshmi bus stop in Aminjikarai, the twin temples of Ekambareswarar and Prasanna Varadaraja Perumal are located. There are many twin temples across the city of Chennai in the areas such as T Nagar, Koyambedu and Tambaram. Similarly Aminjikarai also has twin temples, but they are not as popular as the other twin temples of Chennai. As Ekambareswarar and Varadarajar temples are located in the same locality like Kanchipuram, there are people who call Aminjikarai as North Kanchipuram.
This article focuses only about Prasanna Varadaraja Perumal temple among these two temples.
As per historian Sri. Muthiah, this temple is hardly 100 years old. However, as per the temple authorities of Ekambareswarar temple, it was built by Sri. Sengalvarayar Mudaliar who belonged to Poonamallee Kondai Kati Vellalar family in 1650s or 1660s. As per them, Prasanna Varadaraja Perumal temple was older than Ekambareswarar temple. I too believe that this temple must have been built in 1600s and not in the 20th century CE. At the same time, I don't think this temple is very old; it does not appear to me that it was not built during the Vijayanagara period or Nayaka period.
The east facing temple has five tier tower. The flag staff, bali peetha and Garud are found facing towards the sanctum.
The east facing sanctum enshrines the idol of Prasanna Varadaraja Perumal. The idol is 3-4 feet high and the deity is in the standing posture. The utsav murti of the same deity is found along with his two consorts in the sanctum.
In Maha Mandap, the sub-shrines of all twelve Alwars are located in one side. In the opposite side, the idols of Ramanuja, Manavala Mamuni, Nathamuni, Mudaliyandan, Koorathalwan and Alavandar are found.
The Goddess is Perundevi Thayar. She is found in the separate east facing shrine in north west corner of the prakara. Her idol is big in size and is very beautiful. Andal is found in a separate shrine in the south west corner of the same prakara.
The other sub-shrines in the temple include Ram-Sita-Lakshman, Sudarshan with Yoga Narasimha on the back side, Krishna, Hanuman, Rama Padam, Srinivasa Perumal and Ranganatha-Sri Devi-Bhoo Devi. The bronze idols of all these deities are found in the respective shrines. The utsav murti of Srinivasa is found along with his two consorts.
On the inner side of the entrance walls, the idols of Ganesh and a Goddess who holds discus and conch in her arms having serpent hood above her head are found.
On the inner side of the entrance walls, the idols of Ganesh and a Goddess who holds discus and conch in her arms having serpent hood above her head are found.
Happy travelling.
