Chitrambakkam Sri Kumbeswarar Temple, Thiruvallur

Address

Chitrambakkam village,

Thiruvallur district,

Tamil Nadu

Moolavar

Sri Kumbeswarar & Ishta Siddhi Lingeswarar

Amman

Sri Kuzhanthaivalli

Introduction

Kumbeshwarar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Chitrambakkam Village in Thiruvallur District of Tamilnadu. Presiding Deity is called as Kumbeshwarar and Mother is called as Kuzhanthai Valli. Sri Kumbeswarar Temple Temple at Chitrambakkam, was a part of “Ashta Siddhi Temples” located between Kosasthalaiyar and rivers, on the north side of Perambakkam. Shiva of this temple was also called as Ishta Siddhi Lingeswarar.

Puranic Significance

The temple was reconstructed during recent years completely with bricks and cement. A 29 inches square stone slab with a lotus medallion at the center and 6 lines inscription is lying at the entrance of the temple. This stone inscription was used as a stepping stone in front of Selli Amman temple, just back side of this Shiva temple. The inscription records the construction of a Temple, belongs to 7^th Century Pallava Period.

As per the inscription Somasiyar’s son-in-law Kumaran of Alavayal, constructed the temple. This Place Chitrambakkam was called as Thenkaranai. Thenkaranai may also be called as Alavayal. Experts may comment on this. The temple which is mentioned in the inscription is not known.

This is one of the Ashta Siddhi Shiva temples (8 Shiva Temple) located between Koovam and Kosasthalaiyar rivers on the north side of Perambakkam in Tiruvallur District. It is believed that the Sage Agasthiya installed these 8 Shiva Lingas, worshiped and obtained ashta siddhis. Each one of the 8 Shiva temples is associated with one of the Ashta siddhis. The details of the Prakamyam Siddhi from Srimat Bhagavatham With this siddhi, one can fulfil all the wishes and desires. By worshiping Shri Ishta Siddhi Lingeswarar, now called as Kumbeswarar of this temple at Chitrambakkam, one can obtain the siddhi of Prakamyam.

Special Features

The temple is facing east with an entrance from South side. Balipeedam and Rishabam are in front of the mukha mandapam. Vinayagar is on the left side of the sanctum sanctorum entrance. Moolavar is short on a raised avudayar. In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, Brahma and Durgai.

In praharam, Vinaitheerkum Vinayagar, Lakshmi Narayanar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Chandikeswarar, A Shiva Linga with square avudayar, Navagrahas, Kala Bairavar and Pallava period flat, square inscriptions stone. Ambal is in a separate sannidhi facing south, in standing posture with abhaya and varada hastam. The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, ardha mandapam and a open mukha mandapam. The bhittis is supported with brahma kantha pilasters with kalasam, kudam, palagai. The prastaram consists of valapi and kapotam with nasis. A two tier nagara vimanam is on the sanctum sanctorum. There is no image in the 1^st level koshtam. Stucco Murtis are in greevam. Maha nasis are on the 4 cardinal directions of sigaram. Kodi karukku works are on the 4 corners of the sigaram.