Adambakkam Sri Nandeeswarar Temple, Chennai

Address

Adambakkam Sri Nandeeswarar Temple, TNGO Colony, Adambakkam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600088 Mobile: +91 9841006251

Diety

Nandeeswarar Amman: Aavudai Nayagi

Introduction

The Nandeeswarar Temple in Adambakkam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, is a significant place of worship dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Puranic Significance

Presiding Deity: The main deity of the temple is Lord Shiva, who is known as Nandheeswarar. The goddess consort is known as Aavudai Nayagi or Gomathi in Sanskrit.

Location: The temple has two entrances, one in the east and another in the south. A tank is situated outside the southern entrance. The temple is conveniently located near the St. Thomas Mount Suburban Railway Station, making it accessible for devotees.

Historical Significance: The temple has a rich historical legacy dating back to around 950 AD. It is believed that a Chola king named Aadhani Cholan built the temple, and it was later renovated by Kulothunga Chola III. The presence of stone inscriptions, sculptures, and carvings within the temple premises suggests its ancient origins.

Legend: According to local legend, a sage named Bhringi Munivar once performed intense penance worshipping Lord Shiva in the nearby hills, which came to be known as Bhringi Malai or St. Thomas Mount. Pleased with his devotion, Lord Shiva granted darshan to the sage in the form of Nandhi at this holy place, hence the deity’s name, Nandheeswarar.

Name Origin: The area was called Aadhanippakkam in ancient times due to its association with King Aadhani Cholan. Over time, it evolved into the present-day Adambakkam.

Beliefs

People who are facing obstacles in getting married come here and worship and present two rose garlands to this temple for five Pradosham days. It is said these obstacles are removed and they get married soon.

Special Features

Temple Architecture: This east-facing temple is relatively small and doesn’t have a towering gopuram (entrance tower) or a flag post. It features a single prakara (enclosure) with a small Nandi and Balipeedam facing the sanctum. The temple also underwent modifications to adhere to Sastra (scriptural) guidelines, including the removal of an obstructing wall between Nandhi and the main deity, done during the visit of Sri Paramacharya.

Deities and Idols:

The main deity, Nandheeswarar, faces east within the sanctum. Surrounding the sanctum, there are Koshta idols of Narthana Vinayagar, Dhakshinamoorthy, Maha Vishnu, Brahma, and Durgai.
The goddess, Aavudai Nayagi, faces south and has a separate shrine within the temple premises.
Other deities and shrines include Sundara Vinayagar, Nagars, Lord Subramanya along with his consorts Valli and Devasena, Navagrahas, Chandikeswarar, Ganesha, Surya (the Sun god), and Bhairava.
There are exquisite sculptures adorning the temple’s pillars, depicting various deities and mythological scenes.

Festivals

The temple conducts special pujas on significant days, such as Pradoshams, Shivaratri, Somavaram (Mondays), and Arudra darshan. Pradosha pujas are particularly noteworthy, attracting a large number of devotees. A unique feature of this temple is that a cow goes around the sanctum during Pradosham days, and there are many cows roaming in the vicinity.