Triplicane Thiruvetteeswarar Temple, Chennai

Address

Triplicane Thiruvetteeswarar Temple, Thiruvetteeswarar Temple Road, Triplicane, Chennai – 600 005 Phone: +91 44 2841 8383 / 2851 1228 Mobile: +91 94860 50172

Diety

Thiruvetteeswarar Amman: Shenbagambika.

Introduction

Thiruvetteeswarar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Thiruvetteeswaranpet, part of Triplicane in Chennai City of Tamilnadu. This temple is 1000 years old temple. This is one of the Saint Thirunavukkarau’s Thiruthandakam Devaram Padal Petra Vaippu Sthalam. Presiding Deity is called as Thiruvetteeswarar and Mother is called as Shenbagambika. The temple is a Rahu-Ketu Parihara Sthalam. It is considered as equivalent to Kalahasti and Varanasi. The Nawabs of Arcot have contributed to the upliftment of the temple during the past. Even today the milk for the Neivedhyam is provided by the Muslims

Puranic Significance

The age of the Thiruvetteeswarar Temple in Triplicane is a mystery. A passing reference to a Vedicchuram in Appar’s Thevaram has been cited to show that the shrine was in existence even in the 7th century. However, several other temples in Tamil Nadu lay claim to the same line as proof of their antiquity. The Shiva Linga here is probably much older than the temple, for it was discovered in the 18th century by Samudra Mudali, a ‘conicoply’ (kanakkupillai or accountant) of the East India Company. It was in a sandy tract through which a small river (probably the Triplicane River that no longer exists) ran. The property was owned by the Nawab of the Carnatic and Samudra Mudali purchased it, building thereafter, “from his private resources a fine temple, with four streets around it, having houses for the temple servants.” This then was the origin of Thiruvateeswaranpettai, the colony that surrounds the shrine. Samudra Mudali later purchased lands in the Pudupakkam (now part of Royapettah) area from a Muslim noble and donated them to the temple. During British period 1-11-1734 the temple income was relieved from Tax. During 16th and 17th century the Nawabs (Muslim kings) gave donations to this temple. Till date flower and milk are being supplied to the temple by the Muslim charities for the Artha Jama pooja. During his pilgrimage, Arjuna struck a swine which was also shot at simultaneously by Lord Shiva in the guise of a hunter. Lord Shiva claimed the animal as his prize. Arjuna countered the claim. In the battle that followed between the two, Arjuna struck the Lord. Lord appeared before him bleeding and smiling. Arjuna fell at the feet of the Lord and begged his pardon. Lord presented Arjuna the Pasupathastra missile for which he undertook the pilgrimage. Continuing his pilgrimage, he found a Swayambu Linga in this place, installed and worshipped. As the Lord granted darshan to Arjuna in the guise of a hunter, he is named Parthaprakara Linga and Thiruvetteeswarar. To make amends for his act of beating the Lord, Arjuna was born as Kannappa in the next birth and offered his eyes to Lord Shiva, blessed and elevated to the status of Nayanmars. Remembering this event, Kannappa is taken in procession on the Mrigashirsha star day in the month of Thai (January-February). ****Rahu Kethu Parihara Sthalam: During the churning of the milk ocean, a demon Swarbanu cunningly sat among the Devas and succeeded in getting and consuming the nectar. This was brought to the notice of Lord Vishnu by Sun and Moon. Lord Vishnu struck him with the spoon used for serving the nectar. He fell down in two pieces. The head joined the body of a snake. The remaining body joined the head of a snake and also got the status of planets with the blessings of Lord Shiva.Thus, the demon got two forms as Rahu and Ketu. To revenge Sun and Moon, these planets devour them for a brief period sometimes, what we call solar and Lunar eclipse. They are depicted such in the temple on wall in the mandapam opposite the sanctum sanctorum, covered by silver. Devotees offer the related pulses for these planets – Ulundu for Rahu and Kollu or horse gram for Ketu to Lord Thiruvetteeswarar with Mandhara and red flowers. This is an East facing temple a with 5 tier Rajagopuram. And have two prakarams. This is one of the Saint Thirunavukkarau’s Thiruthandakam Devaram Padal Petra Vaippu Sthalam. The temple has three flag posts-Kodi Maram for Lord Shiva, Lord Shanmuga and Mother Ambica. Presiding Deity is called as Thiruvetteeswarar and is facing east. The flag staff, Nandi mandapam and bali peetha are found facing towards the sanctum. The wall around the sanctum has the niche images of Ganesha, Vishnu, Dhakshinamoorthi, Sudarshan, Brahma and Durga. During fight between Lord Shiva and Arjunan to get the Pasupatha asthiram, Arjuna’s weapon hit the head of Lord Shiva and a scar was made on the lingam, hence Iraivan is called as ‘Partha Pirakaralingam’. The relief images of Rahu and Ketu are found in the ceiling.

Beliefs

The temple assumes importance as a sacred place for remedy from the adverse aspects of planets Rahu and Ketu. Devotees seek the pardon of the Lord for wrongs committed by them unknowingly and for relief from serpent planet effects. Devotees perform Abishek to Lord as mark of their prayer commitment.

Special Features

It is said that Mother Mahalakshmi worshipped Lord Shiva here to have the Hand of Lord Vishnu. Supporting this story, Mother Mahalakshmi is seen performing abishek to Lord Shiva depicted in a pillar sculpture. Goddess Parvati is said to have performed penance here. Parasurama is said to have prayed to Shiva here to offset the sin he attained by killing his mother. It was believed that the temple was built during 7 th century and damaged completely. It was observed that a cow was milking on a particular place near shenbaga Odai (Now called as Shenbaga Theertham). People excavated and found there was a Shiva lingam with a scar on its top (hence called as Thiruvetteeswarar). The temple was reconstructed latter and Ambal moortham was found in the Shenbaga Theertham and called Shenbagambigai. Indra puja is performed in the temple during Purattasi (September-October) as Indira worshipped Lord here, with the shrine decorated with vegetables, fruits and sweet preparations.

Festivals

Chithirai Brahmmotsavam in April-May, Vaikasi Visakam in May-June, Purattasi Mahalaya Amavasya and Navarathri in September-October, Masi Magam Theerthavari and Shivarathri in February-March, Panguni Uthiram in March-April, Temple Tank festival in Thai Month, Temple Car festival in Chithirai month, Kandha Sasti in Aipasi month, Karthigai Deepam festival in Karthigai month are the festivals celebrated in this Temple with much fanfare. On every Sashti day – 6th day of either new moon or full moon days – pujas are conducted in the shrine with six flowers, six Nivedhanas, six fruits by six priests performing the ‘Sathru Samhara Trisadha’ puja, a special event in the temple.