Ponmar Sathyapureeswarar Temple, Chengalpattu

Address

Ponmar Sathyapureeswarar Temple, Chengalpattu

Ponmar, Vandalur Taluk,

Chengalpattu District – 600 130

Mobile: +91 91760 67723 / 99402 62654 / 94444 13193

Moolavar

Sathyapureeswarar/ Sakthipureeswarar                                   

Amman

Sathyapureeswari / Sakthipureeswari

1. Introduction:
   • Sathyapureeswarar Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is located in Ponmar Village in Vandalur Taluk, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu.
   • The presiding deity is called Sathyapureeswarar (or Sakthipureeswarar), and the Goddess is Sathyapureeswari (or Sakthipureeswari).
   • The temple is located on the Ponmar to Navalur route.
2. Puranic Significance:
   • The temple was built in 1520 CE during the reign of Sadasivaraya of the Vijayanagara Kingdom. An inscription from this period is found in the temple’s jagati and kumuda of the plinth, which mentions the endowment of Poyilicheri village for the pooja and worship of two Nayanars, Poyileesvaramudaiya Nayanar and Veerabhadra Nayanar.
   • The inscription also refers to the village as “Jayamkonda Chozha Mandalathu Puliyur Kottathu Kaalvai Naatu Thyaga Vinodha Nallurana Ponmaaru.”
   • The northern side of the temple contains the ruined shrine of Veerabhadra, as mentioned in the inscription.
   • According to legend, Lord Chandran excavated a tank, bathed in it, and worshipped Lord Shiva of this temple to cleanse himself of his sins.
3. Beliefs:
   • Devotees pray to Sathyapureeswarar for relief from stomach pains.
   • It is believed that performing abhishekam (ritual bathing) of Goddess Sathyapureeswari with turmeric can cure thyroid problems in women.
4. Special Features:
   • The temple faces east and consists of the sanctum, ardha mandapam, and maha mandapam. The maha mandapam is accessible from the southern side.
   • The Nandi, the sacred bull, is located in the maha mandapam facing the sanctum.
   • The presiding deity, Sathyapureeswarar, is housed in the sanctum in the form of a Lingam and faces east. The sanctum walls have no images but contain idols of later periods.
   • The vimana (the tower above the sanctum) is of vesara type, and the utsava (processional) idols and Nataraja are kept in the ardha mandapam.
   • Goddess Sathyapureeswari is housed in a separate shrine located south of the sanctum and faces south.
   • She is depicted as four-armed, holding the angusa (noose) and pasa (goad) in her upper hands, and varada (boon-giving) and abhaya (protection) gestures in her lower hands. Her head is slightly tilted to the left as though she is listening to devotees’ prayers.
   • A shrine for Kasi Viswanathar is situated behind the Sathyapureeswari shrine.
   • Idols of Valampuri Vinayaga (Ganesha), Subramanya with his consorts Valli and Devasena, and Kala Bhairava can be seen in the maha mandapam.
   • The maha mandapam is supported by four intricately carved pillars featuring sculptures of Nardana Ganapathy, Bikshadana, Mahishasura Mardhini, Ashta Bhuja Durga, Simha Vahini, Agastya, Bhima, Kamadenu, Rama, Hanuman, Narasimha, Krishna with Gopis, Nandi, and more.
   • The ceiling of the mandapam contains sculptures of fish and a depiction of a snake engulfing the moon, symbolizing the lunar eclipse.
5. Sacred Features:
   • Theerthams (holy water tanks) associated with this temple are Kubera Theertham and Chandra Theertham, located at the front and back of the temple.
   • The Sthala Vriksha (sacred tree) of the temple is the Vilva tree, and the Vellerukku (Sodom Apple) is also found here.

References

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2022/09/sathyapureeswarar-temple-ponmar-chengalpattu.html

Century/Period

1520 CE

Nearest Bus Station

Ponmar

Nearest Railway Station

Tambaram Railway Station

Nearest Airport

Chennai

Location on Map

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