Nanganallur Sri Ardhanareeswarar & Ashtabuja Durgai Temples – Chennai

Address

Nanganallur Sri Ardhanareeswarar & Ashtabuja Durgai Temples – 4th Main Rd, Nanganallur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600114

Deity

Sri Ardhanareeswarar Amman: Arthanareeswari / Tripura Sundari

Introduction

• Location:
  • The Ardhanareeswarar Temple is situated in Nanganallur, a prominent locality in Chennai City, Tamil Nadu.
• Deity:
  • The presiding deity is known as Arthanareeswarar (also called Jalakandeswarar), while the Mother Goddess is referred to as Arthanareeswari (or Tripura Sundari).
• Historical Significance:
  • The temple is believed to be 1000 years old and is unique for housing a life-size Durga statue in a separate shrine. It is also recognized as a Kethu Sthalam (a sacred site associated with the planet Ketu).

Puranic Significance

• Discovery:
  • In the 1960s, the Paramacharya of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam rediscovered this ancient temple while performing morning puja at an abandoned temple tank. He found an ancient Lingam representing Ardhanareeswarar submerged in the tank.
• Consecration:
  • Following its discovery, the temple operated in thatched sheds until its consecration in March 2004.
• Architecture:
  • The temple faces east and features a 5-tier Rajagopuram (tower). A large pond is located on the left side, while the Dwajasthambam (flagstaff), Palipeedam, and Nandi (sacred bull) are positioned immediately after the Rajagopuram.
• Sanctum Details:
  • The sanctum houses a large Shivalinga (3.5 feet in radius) mounted on a platform, known as Jalakandeswarar due to its prolonged submersion in water. The sanctum includes an Arthamandapam and Maha Mandapam, with idols of Bala Ganapathy and Balasubramanya at the entrance.
  • The walls of the sanctum display Koshta idols of Vinayagar, Dakshinamoorthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma, and Durga. In the Mahamandapam, one can find shrines for Natarajar, Somaskandar, and the Navagrahas (nine planetary deities).

Special Features

• Durga Idol:
  • A life-size idol of Ashtabuja Shanthi Durga is installed in a separate shrine behind the Ardhanareeswarar temple. This impressive statue is around 8 feet tall, depicted holding various weapons, with her upper hands holding a Conch and Discus.
  • Known as Sarvabhishta Bala Nayaki, the intricately sculpted Durga idol is a visual delight for devotees and has a Lion Vahana (vehicle) positioned in front of her shrine.

Festivals

The temple hosts numerous festivals throughout the year, including:

• Maha Shivaratri
• Navagraha Homam
• Pradosham
• Pushpanjali
• Sumangali Puja
• Vasantha Navaratri
• Agni Pradhishta on auspicious days
• Navaratri
• Vijayadasami
• Chandi Homam
• Thiru Karthikai
• Margazhi Utsavam
• Panguni Uthiram
• Arudra Dharisanam
• Aippasi Annabishekam
• Anusha Puja (Mahaperiyava’s birth star)
• Mahaperiyava Jayanthi Utsavam

Century/Period/Age

1000 Years old

Managed By

Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HRCE)

Nearest Bus Station

Nanganallur

Nearest Railway Station

Pazhavanthangal Station

Nearest Airport

Chennai

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