Thiruninravur Hridayaleeswarar Temple, Tiruvallur

Address

Thiruninravur Hridayaleeswarar Temple, Thiruninravur, Tiruvallur District – 602 024 Mobile: +9194441 6410

Deity

Hridayaleeswarar / Manavaleswarar Amman: Maragathambigai.

Introduction

• Location: Thiruninravur, near Chennai City, Thiruvallur District, Tamil Nadu.
• Deity: Lord Shiva, known as Hridayaleeswarar / Manavaleswarar; Mother is Maragathambigai.
• Historical Background:
  • Believed to have been built in the 7th Century AD by Raja Simha Pallava.
  • Close to Bhaktavatsala Perumal Temple (Divya Desam).
  • Associated with Poosalar Nayanar’s intense devotion.
  • Established a trustee in the late 1920s by industrialist Mr. P.S. Saathappa Chettiar.

Puranic Significance

• Devotee: Poosalar, a Shiva devotee, desired to build a temple but lacked funds.
• Meditation: Poosalar meditated under an Iluppai tree, constructing the temple in his mind.
• Kumbabishekam: He planned the consecration date and prayed for Lord Shiva’s presence.
• King Rajasimha’s Dream: Lord Shiva instructed the king to change the date of his temple’s consecration to attend Poosalar’s.
• Construction: Upon discovering Poosalar’s vision, King Rajasimha constructed the temple based on Poosalar’s mental blueprint.
• Name: The temple is also called “Manakkoil,” meaning “temple of the heart,” reflecting Poosalar’s devotion.

Beliefs

• Heart Ailments: Many pray to Hridayaleeswarar for relief from heart-related ailments.
• Doctor Visits: Cardiologists from Chennai, Kancheepuram, and Tiruvallur pray here before performing surgeries.
• Devotional Practices: Devotees perform abhisheks, archanas, and offer vastras on Mondays.

Special Features

• Architecture:
  • Built in the 6th Century CE under King Rajasimha, inspired by Poosalar’s vision.
  • East-facing temple with entrance arches on both east and west sides.
  • Heart-shaped inner roof divided into four compartments.
• Main Deity: Hridayaleeswarar, a large Lingam on a square Avudayar, with a south-facing entrance to the sanctum.
• Sculptures:
  • Statues of Ganapathy and Subrahmanya as Dwarapalakas at the sanctum entrance.
  • Poosalar’s statue is present in the shrine.
• Surrounding Shrines: Shrines for Vinayagar, Navagrahas, King Rajasimha, and various deities.
• Sthala Vriksham: Vilwa Tree.

Festivals

• Major Festivals:
  • Masi Maha Shivarathri (February-March)
  • Makara Sankranti / Pongal (January 14, occasionally)
  • Panguni Uthiram (March-April)
  • Vaikasi Visakam (May-June)
  • Vinayaka Chaturthi (August-September)
  • Navarathri (September-October)
  • Margazhi Arudra Darshan (December-January)
  • Karthikai (November-December)
• Other Observances: Special pujas and abhisheks on Pradosha, Mondays, Fridays, Tamil New Year, new moon, and full moon days.

Century/Period/Age

7th century

Managed By

Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HRCE)

Nearest Bus Station

Thiruninravur

Nearest Railway Station

Thiruninravur

Nearest Airport

Chennai

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