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 place was originally known as “Maga-pperu” in Tamil which means “Blessed with a child”. Later the name ‘Magapperu’ got colloquially transformed to Mogappair. The name is due to Santana Srinivasa Perumal whose vigraham (idol) was found beneath the temple premises in Mugappair in Chennai. Presiding Deity is called as Santhana Srinivasa Perumal and Mother is called as Santhana Lakshmi. This Temple is administrated by The Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments Department.

Puranic Significance

The area got its name due to this temple. Even though the current temple structure is not old, it is believed the idol of the presiding deity of the temple Santana Srinivasa Perumal is 650 years old. There should have been a small temple earlier. The construction of the current structure of the temple was started in 19th century CE and it got completed only in the beginning of 21st century CE. Except for the main deity – Srinivasa Perumal, all other idols in this temple are new.

Arunachalam Mudaliar, the founder of Santhana Srinivasa Perumal Temple at Mogappair constructed the temple. The Lord himself identified about his existence underneath the land through dream experience by Arunachalam Mudaliar. Immediately he dug his patta land and found the present idol (Santhana Srinivasa Perumal). He only installed the idol (Santhana Srinivasa Perumal) and also constructed a small temple.

The place was originally known as “Maga-pperu” in Tamil which means “Blessed with a child”. Later the name ‘Magapperu’ got colloquially transformed to Mogappair. The name is due to Santana Srinivasa Perumal whose Vigraham / idol was found beneath the temple premises in Mugappair in Chennai.

Beliefs

BELIEF:

It is a belief that the Lord Santhana Srinivasa Perumal provides the childless couples with Child Boon. Due to this belief, childless couples throng to this place and offer their prayers, and it is said that their wishes have come true after the visit of this shrine. Thulabaram is also being done.

Special Features

The Temple is having 5 tiered Rajagopuram. Presiding Deity is called as Santhana Srinivasa Perumal. He is housed in the sanctum. He is in the standing posture. The idol is gigantic and is 9.5 feet high. This seems to be a replica of the famous Balaji idol of Tirumala; however, it is taller than that of Balaji idol. Garuda is found facing towards the sanctum. Mother is called as Santhana Lakshmi. She is housed in a separate shrine in the prakaram. Lakshmi is in the sitting posture and she looks very beautiful. The Utsava idol of Lakshmi is also found in the same shrine. There is a separate shrine in the prakaram where the stone idol as well as Utsava idol of beautiful Andal is found.

The shrine of Sarva Shakti Ganapati can be found on the left side immediately after the entrance. There is a shrine for Veera Bhaktha Anjaneyar where along with the main idol of Anjaneya, the metal (Utsava) idol of Hanuman is also found. Ayyappa and Navagraha are also found in this temple. It is rare to find all these deities in a South Indian Vishnu temple.

Santana Gopala Pooja:

Santana Gopala Pooja is performed in this temple wherein couples are made to cradle/hold the Vigraham/Idol of Santana Gopala in their lap. The Santana Gopala Pooja is performed on Pournami and on the days with the stars of Tiruvonam, Punarpoosam, Swathi, Rohini and Revathi between morning 6:00 and to 12:00 noon. The Pooja articles include Thambulam, honey, butter to be offered to Lord Krishna while holding him in the lap of the couple performing the pooja. The Honey and Butter are given to the Couple as prasadam who should take the Prasadam regularly after the pooja on a daily basis. Also, they should recite the Santana Gopala sloka on a daily basis for 48 days for good results.

Festivals

Purattasi Brahmotsavam, Panguni Uthiram, Masi Makam, Vaikasi Visakam, Thiru Karthikai, Vaikunda Ekadashi and Sravana Deepam are the festivals celebrated here.