Manampathi Thirukkarai Eswarar Temple, Chengalpattu

Address

Manampathi Thirukkarai Eswarar Temple, Manampathi, Thiruporur Taluk, Chengalpattu District – 603 105 Mobile: +91 98402 72655 / 98948 85090

Diety

Thirukkarai Eswarar Amman: Pathalambikai

Introduction

The Thirukkarai Eswarar Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is a prominent and historically significant temple located in Manampathi Village, Thiruporur Taluk, in the Chengalpattu District of Tamil Nadu. This temple holds special significance for its role as a Parihara Sthalam for Raghu and Ketu Doshas, and it is associated with various legends and rituals.

Presiding Deities: The primary deity of the temple is Lord Thirukkarai Eswarar (a form of Lord Shiva), and the Mother deity is known as Pathalambikai.
Location: The temple is located about 200 meters from the Manampathi Bus Stop, 19 kilometers from Chengalpattu Railway Station, and 47 kilometers from Chennai Airport. It is accessible by road from Thiruporur, Chengalpattu, Velachery, and Thiruvanmiyur.
Historical Significance: The temple is believed to have been built in the 10th century CE by the Chola dynasty. It underwent extensive renovations during the rule of the Vijayanagara Kings and the Nayak rulers. During the Chola period, the place was known as Vanavan Mahadevi Chaturvedimangalam.
Legend: According to legend, Lord Shiva and his consort Parvathy visited this place for one of Lord Shiva’s Thiruvilayadal (holy plays). The name “Vanavan Mahadevi” is derived from Lord Shiva’s presence (Vanavan) with his consort Maadevi (Parvathy).
Worship for Speech Disabilities: Devotees visit the temple to seek relief from speech disabilities, throat problems, and thyroid issues.
Parihara Sthalam for Raghu and Ketu Doshas: The temple is considered a Parihara Sthalam, offering remedies for adverse effects caused by the planets Rahu and Ketu. Those born under the Kanni Rasi (Virgo) also worship here for relief from doshas.
Temple Architecture: The temple faces east and features a five-tiered Rajagopuram. Within the temple complex, you’ll find Dwajastambam, Balipeedam, Nandi, and the sanctum, consisting of the sanctum, antrala, maha mandapam, and mukha mandapam.
Idols and Deities: The temple features various idols and deities, including Vallaba Ganapathy, Navagrahas, Dvarapalas, Vinayaka, Dakshinamurthy, Vishnu, Brahma, and Durga. The Mother deity, Pathalambikai, resides in a separate south-facing shrine.
Shrines and Sub-shrines: There are multiple shrines and sub-shrines dedicated to deities like Vinayaga, Kasi Viswanathar, Visalakshi, the Nalvar (four Alwar saints), Suryan (the Sun God), Utsava Idols, Veerabhadra, Naga Lingam, Naga Ganapathy, Naga Subramanyar, Murugan with his consorts Valli and Devasena, and Ayyappan. The temple also houses two Bhairava idols—one for Valar Pirai (Waxing moon) and the other for Thei Pirai (Waning Moon).
Sculptures: The temple premises feature various sculptures, including those of Saptamatrikas, Vinayagar, Veerabhadra, and Jyeshta Devi.
Temple Tank and Sacred Tree: The temple tank is located behind the temple premises. The sacred tree (Sthala Vriksham) of the temple is the Vilwa tree.
Festivals: The Thirukkarai Eswarar Temple celebrates various Shiva-related festivals, with Masi Magam being one of the most significant, marked by grand celebrations and fanfare.

The Thirukkarai Eswarar Temple holds historical, religious, and astrological significance, attracting devotees seeking relief from planetary doshas and blessings from Lord Shiva and the divine Mother.