Vadapalani Vengeeswarar Temple – Chennai

Address

Vadapalani Vengeeswarar Temple – Vadapalani, Chennai district- 600026 Phone: +91 44 2483 8362

Deity

Vengeeswarar Amman: Shanthanayaki.

Introduction

• Vengeeswarar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, located at Vadapalani in Chennai City, Tamil Nadu.
• The temple is over 1500 years old and is one of the oldest temples in Chennai.
• Presiding deity: Lord Vengeeswarar; Mother: Shanthanayaki.
• Also known as Vadapalani Sivan Koil.
• It is situated diagonally opposite the Vadapalani Murugan temple.
• The temple is accessible by various means of public transport including bus and metro.

Puranic Significance

• Built by sages Patanjali and Vyagrapada for their daily worship.
• Located in Puliyur Kottam, part of Thondai Nadu.
• The temple has a 7-tier Rajagopuram and follows the Chola architectural style.
• Inside, the temple houses a Siva Lingam in a Gajabrushta (elephant back) type vimana.
• Main sannidhi features statues of Vyagrapada and Patanjali.
• Vengeeswarar derives its name from Sage Vyagrapada, as “Vengai” refers to tiger.
• The temple has niche images of deities like Ganesha, Dakshinamurthy, Vishnu, Brahma, and Durga.
• Other shrines include those for Shanthanayaki (Mother), Bhuvaneswar, and Bhairavar.
• Important idols of deities like Saneeshwara, Chandran, Muniswarar, and Navagrahas are also present.

Special Features

• Mother Shanthanayaki is in a separate south-facing shrine.
• The temple once had a large temple pond on its southern side, which no longer exists.
• There are several other shrines, including those dedicated to Vinayaka, Murugan, Kasi Vishwanathar, and Gaja Lakshmi.
• The temple complex features a large outer prakara, madapalli, and several mandapams.

Festivals

• Pradosha Pooja is the most important ritual at the temple.
• Held twice a month during the Shukla Paksha and Krishna Paksha on the 13th day (Thrayodasi).
• Praying during Pradosha is believed to remove sins and grant moksha (liberation).

Century/Period/Age

1500 Years old

Managed By

Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments Department (HRCE)

Nearest Bus Station

Vadapalani

Nearest Railway Station

Vadapalani Metro Station

Nearest Airport

Chennai

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