Pakkam Sri Anandeeswarar Temple, Tiruvallur

Address

Pakkam Sri Anandeeswarar Temple, Chitherikarai, Pakkam Gramam, Via Thiruninravur, Tiruvallur District Phone: +91 97900 09123 / 89393 96625 / 89393 13191

Deity

Sri Anandeeswarar Amman: Anandhavalli

Introduction

Location: Chitherikarai, Pakkam Village, near Thiruninravur, Thiruvallur District, Tamil Nadu.
Deities:
- Presiding Deity: Anandeeswarar (Lord Shiva)
- Goddess: Anandhavalli
Significance:
- Considered a Guru Parihara Sthalam.
- Historically known as Kalila Chaturvedimangalam.
- Surrounded by a pleasant, green environment.

Puranic Significance

Renovation:
- The temple was renovated by Rajendra Chola, son of Raja Raja Chola, in 1022 AD.
- Consecration celebrated on May 11, 2014.
Agasthya’s Worship:
- Sage Agasthya worshipped Lord Shiva here and created Shivalingas for his worship.
Divine Blessings:
- Lord Anandeeswarar blessed a serpent with poison power, leading to the deity’s name.
Siddhas and Sages:
- Believed that great Siddhas and sages visit the temple invisibly.
Kallala Tree:
- A Banyan tree where Lord Dakshina Murthy taught the Vedas to four Sanakathi Maharshis.

Beliefs

Devotees’ Prayers:
- Pray to Guru Bhagwan for:
  - Child boon
  - Marriage
  - Job opportunities
  - Home ownership
  - Mental peace
  - Good education for children
Worship Practices:
- Perform abhishekam to Anandeeswarar and light Deepas to Lord Dakshinamurthy under the banyan tree.
- Those blessed with a child offer sugar candy or coins equal to the child’s weight.

Special Features

Architecture:
- 10-pillar Maha Mandapam built aesthetically.
- No sub-deities (Parivara Murthys) in the temple.
- Only one shrine for Jupiter (Guru Bhagwan), no Navagrahas.
Sthala Vriksham:
- Banyan tree under which Lord Dakshina Murthy taught the Vedas.
- Presence of a two-faced Rudraksha tree.
Theertham:
- Associated with Agasthya Theertham.

Festivals

Annual Celebrations:
- Wedding Festival.
- 108 abisheks on Karthikai star days.
- Maha Shivarathri (February-March).
- Agasthya Guru Day.
- Pradosha days (13th day of new moon or full moon).
- Special pujas on each Thursday for Guru Bhagwan.
- Poornima pujas regularly.
- Nithya Kala pujas performed.