Gerugampakkam Sri Neelakandeswarar Temple (Kethu Sthalam), Chennai

Address

Gerugampakkam Sri Neelakandeswarar Temple (Kethu Sthalam), Gangaiamman Koil Street, Balakrishnan Nagar, Balaji Nagar, Tharapakkam, Gerugampakkam, Chennai – 600 122 Phone: +91 44 2478 0124

Diety

Sri Neelakandeswarar Amman: Adi Kamakshi

Introduction

The Neelakandeswarar Temple in Gerugampakkam near Porur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, is a significant Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, known as Neelakandeswarar, and Goddess Kamakshi Amman, also called Adi Kamakshi. This temple is one of the Navagraha temples of Chennai dedicated to Kethu Bhagavan (the lunar node, also known as South Lunar Node).

Puranic Significance

Historical Background:

The Neelakandeswarar Temple is believed to be approximately 1,000 years old and has historical connections to the Chola period.
The temple serves as a sacred place for worship and is particularly associated with the appeasement of Kethu Dosha.

Legend of Neelakanda:

According to Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva is known as Neelakanda due to an incident during the churning of the milky ocean (Samudra Manthan). When the poison, known as “Hala Kaala,” emerged from the churning, Lord Shiva consumed it to protect the world.
To prevent the poison from descending into His body, Goddess Parvathi held Lord Shiva’s neck. This act turned Lord Shiva’s neck blue, giving rise to the name “Neelakanda,” where “Neela” means blue, and “Kanda” means neck in Tamil.

Special Features

Architectural Features:

The temple is relatively small in size and lacks major architectural elements commonly associated with ancient temples, such as a Rajagopuram (main tower), flagstaff, and bali peetha.
The temple entrance is from the south, and it faces east.

Deities in the Temple:

The presiding deity of the Neelakandeswarar Temple is Lord Shiva, who is housed in a small and beautiful sanctum in the form of a Shiva Lingam.
In front of the main deity, there is a powerful Nandhi Deva, known for inhaling the poisonous breath of Lord Shiva after He consumed the deadly poison during the churning of the milky ocean.
The sanctum does not have niche idols on the walls.
The temple also houses a shrine dedicated to Goddess Adi Kamakshi, who stands in a majestic posture, holding various symbolic items in her hands.

Kethu Bhagavan Shrine:

A separate south-facing shrine is dedicated to Kethu Bhagavan, one of the Navagrahas (nine planetary deities) associated with the lunar node.
In this shrine, Kethu is represented by a snake idol, and special pujas and homams (rituals) are performed to appease Kethu, especially during Rahu Kethu Peyarchi (transit of Rahu and Kethu).

Religious Significance:

The Neelakandeswarar Temple is considered a popular Parihara Sthalam, a remedial shrine, for individuals afflicted by Kethu Dosha (affliction).
Special pujas and homams, such as Kethu preethi and Kethu Dosha Nivarthi pujas, are conducted on Tuesdays.