Mugappair West Sri Santhana Srinivasa Perumal Temple- Chennai

Address

Vellalar Street, Mogappair west,

Chennai – 600 037

Phone: +91 44 2624 8117 / 264 1336

Moolavar

Sri Santhana Srinivasa Perumal

Amman

Santhana Lakshmi

Introduction

Sri Santhana Srinivasa Perumal Temple is located in Mugappair West near Anna Nagar in Chennai. The name “Mogappair” is derived from its original Tamil name “Maga-pperu,” meaning “Blessed with a child,” a reflection of the temple’s association with the divine blessing of parenthood. The presiding deity of the temple is Santhana Srinivasa Perumal, and his consort is Santhana Lakshmi. The temple is managed by the Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments Department.

Puranic Significance

The temple’s name and location are intertwined with the blessings of the presiding deity. While the current temple structure is relatively modern, the idol of Santana Srinivasa Perumal is believed to be 650 years old. The area was originally called “Maga-pperu” and later transformed to “Mogappair.” According to tradition, Arunachalam Mudaliar, the temple’s founder, was guided through a divine dream to discover the idol of Santana Srinivasa Perumal beneath the land. Upon digging the site, he uncovered the idol and subsequently constructed a small temple to house it.

Beliefs

The temple is renowned for granting the boon of parenthood to childless couples. Devotees believe that after offering prayers at this temple, their wishes for children are fulfilled. Many childless couples visit the temple to seek blessings, and offerings such as Thulabaram (a ceremonial weight offering) are commonly made.

Special Features

Temple Architecture: The temple features a five-tiered Rajagopuram. The presiding deity, Santhana Srinivasa Perumal, is enshrined in a standing posture in the sanctum. The idol is remarkably tall, standing at 9.5 feet, making it a significant sight. The idol is similar to the famous Balaji idol of Tirumala but is slightly taller.
Other Deities: The temple houses several other deities, including:
- Santhana Lakshmi: The consort of Santhana Srinivasa Perumal, depicted in a beautiful sitting posture in a separate shrine.
- Andal: A shrine dedicated to Andal, both the stone idol and the Utsava idol.
- Sarva Shakti Ganapati: Located near the entrance.
- Veera Bhaktha Anjaneyar: A shrine dedicated to Lord Hanuman, along with an Utsava idol.
- Ayyappa and Navagraha: Uncommon deities in a Vishnu temple, making the temple unique.
Santana Gopala Pooja: This special pooja is performed for couples seeking blessings for children. During this pooja, the couple cradles the Vigraham (idol) of Santana Gopala in their lap while offering honey and butter to the deity. The couple is also advised to recite the Santana Gopala sloka daily for 48 days to ensure positive results. The pooja is conducted on auspicious days, including Pournami and specific star days such as Tiruvonam, Punarpoosam, Swathi, Rohini, and Revathi.