Parameswaramangalam Shenbakeswarar Temple, Chengalpattu

Address

Parameswaramangalam Shenbakeswarar Temple, Natham Moot Road(Ayapakkam), Chengalpattu District, TamilNadu-603 305 Contact for, Sri Jambu +9199945 87182, Sri Sivagnanam +9194430 67193

Diety

Sri Shenbakeswarar Amman: Sri Soundarya Nayaki

Introduction

This Shiva temple was a part of the Pallava & Chozha period temples between Kalpakkam to Pulipurakoil in Chengalpattu / Kanchipuram District, After Visit to Vijayanagara period Vittalapuram Vittalar temple, had been to this temple. Though this temple belongs to the Pallava period. The place Natham is on the banks of river Palar. Moolavar: Sri Shenbakeswarar Consort: Sri Soundarya Nayaki, The temple is facing east with a Balipeedam and Nandhi are in front of the new Mukha mandapam. Nandhi is also facing east like Lord Shiva under a mandapam with beautiful pillars. In 7 koshtams Vinayagar, Pichadanar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, Brahma, Sankaranarayanan and Durgai. In the Mukha mandapam, Ambal is facing south (Ambal is holding Nilothpala and lotus flowers on her hand instead of Pasa & Angusam ), Arumugar ( sitting on Peacock facing the opposite direction- called asura peacock ), Brahma Sastha and Vinayagar. The other Sannadhis is under construction. The temple is dilapidated. Even though the temple is under renovation Lord Shiva is under worship.

Puranic Significance

The temple was built during the Pallava King Nirupathungan ( 869- 880 AD ) and was extended during Chozhas, Pandyas, and Vijayanagara. The inscriptions belong to Kulothunga Chozha-I, Rajendra Chozha-I, Rajaraja-III, PandyasMaravarman Sundara Pandyan, and Vijayanagara, which are on the adhisthana and sanctum walls. This place was called in the name of Rajaraja-I ( Also called Nakaril Chozhan ) as “Nikarili Chozha Chathurvedi Mangalam”. Another pillar inscription records a land was donated to this temple to celebrate Chitraivisu, Ipasi Visu and Masimaham for the benefit of Rajendra Chozha and Thandi Piratiyar, by the Thandi Piratiyar, Veerakosa Mangalamudayar, and Udayapiratiyar. In the Pandya period inscription, there is a note of “Pazhampattinam Perumantrathalwar”. The temple first re-constructed during the Uthama Chozha / Parantaka Chozha period. The temple was in a dilapidated state and reconstruction is in progress. The Mandapa Simha pillars with inscriptions and ordinary pillars, Dwarapalakas, Jyeshta Devi, Nadukal ie Hero stone, Chandikeswarar, 5 Shiva Lingas with Nandhis are scattered around the temple. These Shiva Lingas and Nandhis are called Panchabootha Lingas ie 5 elements. One of the inscriptions belongs to Rajaraja-I, the Queen Lokamadevi donated money to convert barren land to fertile land.

Special Features

There are interesting legends behind the Nandhi facing the same direction of Lord Shiva. Sri Lakshmi came to this Shenbaka forest and done penance to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva asked Nandhi to Guard her. So Nandhi turned its back. At the end of penance Lord Shiva gave darshan to Lakshmi. Another interesting story is Lord Shiva went out of this place to nearby Palar River island and hid there. When Parvati searched Lord Shiva and climbed the island hill through her knees. Lord Shiva Blessed her as Kailasanathar and stayed on the island. So Nandhi is still expecting Lord Shiva’s arrival facing the Kailasanathar temple.