Site Name: Kandazheeswarar Temple
Site Type: Hindu ancient temple
Location: Kundrathur, Near Chennai, Tamil Nadu state, India
Highlights: One of the ancient temples in Kundrathur
Nearest Railway Station: Chennai
Nearest Airport: Chennai
How to reach: Well connected by road from Chennai
Hotel: A lot of options across Chennai
Restaurants: A lot of options across Chennai
Kundrathur is a peaceful locality near Chennai city. The village is popular mainly due to its hilltop Murugan temple. The village has so many temples beyond Murugan temple. Let us explore one such lesser known and ancient temple named Kandazheeswarar temple in this article.
Kundrathur is a peaceful locality near Chennai city. The village is popular mainly due to its hilltop Murugan temple. The village has so many temples beyond Murugan temple. Let us explore one such lesser known and ancient temple named Kandazheeswarar temple in this article.
Legend:
As per the legend, Lord Subramanya (Murugan) stayed for sometime on the hills of Kundrathur while travelling from Tiruporur to Tiruttani. He also installed a Shiv Linga in this site. That Shiv Linga is the one which is found as the presiding deity of this temple.
History:
The temple was built during the Chola era and possibly by Kulotunga Chola II. Even Krishnadeva Raya had contributed to this temple.
Temple Layout:
This lesser known temple is located near Kundrathur bus stand next to a Vishnu temple (Uraga Perumal temple). The temple has a south facing entrance. There is no gopura.
The sanctum is east facing. It enshrines a big Shiv Linga called as Kandazheeswarar. The flag staff, bali peeth and Nandi mandap are found facing towards the sanctum.
At the entrance of the sanctum, the idols of Ganesh and Subramanya-Valli-Devasena are found.
In Ardha Mandap, the south facing shrine of Nagaimukha Valli is situated. Both her name as well as Shiva's name are very beautiful names in Tamil language.
Ganesh, Dakshinamurti, Lingodbhava, Brahma and Durga are found as the niche images around the sanctum. Chandikeshwara is found in his usual location.
There are two prakaras in this temple.
In the outer prakara, the sub shrines/idols of Surya, Nalvar, Vaaleeswarar Linga with Balambikai, Karpaga Vinayak, 63 Nayanmars with Ganesh, Bhairav, Navagraha and another Ganesh under the holy tree are all found.
A relief panel of Kannappa Nayanar sacrificing his eye and stamping Linga is also noteworthy.
Happy travelling.
The sanctum is east facing. It enshrines a big Shiv Linga called as Kandazheeswarar. The flag staff, bali peeth and Nandi mandap are found facing towards the sanctum.
At the entrance of the sanctum, the idols of Ganesh and Subramanya-Valli-Devasena are found.
In Ardha Mandap, the south facing shrine of Nagaimukha Valli is situated. Both her name as well as Shiva's name are very beautiful names in Tamil language.
Ganesh, Dakshinamurti, Lingodbhava, Brahma and Durga are found as the niche images around the sanctum. Chandikeshwara is found in his usual location.
There are two prakaras in this temple.
In the outer prakara, the sub shrines/idols of Surya, Nalvar, Vaaleeswarar Linga with Balambikai, Karpaga Vinayak, 63 Nayanmars with Ganesh, Bhairav, Navagraha and another Ganesh under the holy tree are all found.
A relief panel of Kannappa Nayanar sacrificing his eye and stamping Linga is also noteworthy.
Happy travelling.
