Thiruninravur Hridayaleeswarar Temple, Tiruvallur

Address

Thiruninravur Hridayaleeswarar Temple, Thiruninravur, Tiruvallur District – 602 024 Mobile: +9194441 6410

Diety

Hridayaleeswarar / Manavaleswarar Amman: Maragathambigai.

Introduction

Hridayaleeswarar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Thiruninravur near Chennai City in Thiruvallur District of Tamilnadu. Presiding Deity is called as Hridayaleeswarar / Manavaleswarar and Mother is called as Maragathambigai. The Temple is located very close to Bhaktavatsala Perumal Temple (Divya Desam) in Thiruninravur. The Temple is believed to be built during 7th Century AD by Raja Simha Pallava. This temple is a sign for Poosalar Nayanar’s intense devotion. It is said that the cardiac ailments of people are getting cured by worshipping here. This temple has a trustee which was formed in the late 1920s by a leading industrialist Mr. P.S. Saathappa Chettiar from Coimbatore. This trustee is maintained by his successors.

Puranic Significance

The story of this temple dates back to 7th century during Pallava reign. There was a Shiva devotee living in this place during 7 th century called Poosalar. Who had a desire to build a temple for Lord Shiva at this place unfortunately he could not find funds for the same. Poosalar finally decided to build a temple for the Lord by himself, as he was well read and knew all the Aagama Vidhis and nuances to build a temple, he wanted to start building the temple in his mind. He sat under a tree called Iluppai and started meditating. He planned each and every small detail to perfection for the construction of this temple in his mind itself. He also marked an auspicious day to commence the holy work. The temple work progressed in his mind. He built the temple step by step. He had designed everything in his mind right from Vimana, Sanctum, Temple Pond, Compound walls etc., and executed each in detail as per what he had in mind. After the temple construction work came to a finish. He even had organized all the utensils required for the temple. Finally, he also fixed an auspicious date for Kumbabishekam (consecration) of the temple. He prayed to Lord Shiva to be present for the consecration and offer His blessings. During the same period, a Pallava king called Rajasimha was ruling this part, with his capital as Kanchi (today’s Kanchipuram). He also was a sincere devotee of Lord Shiva and was building a huge beautiful temple for the Lord, at Kanchi. He named the God as Kailasanathar and the temple as Rajasimmeswaram. The king was too proud to see the grandeur of the temple constructed by him. The king also marked a date for consecration, while the finishing touches were going on at the temple. Lord Shiva appeared in his dream and told him that he cannot make it to the consecration of the king’s temple on the said date and asked him to change the day of consecration, as he had to be present for consecration of another temple built by Poosalar of Thiruninravur. The king woke up shocked. He wanted to know about the temple which God informed him of. He immediately started with his queen, ministers to see Poosalaar’s temple at Thiruninravur. He came to Thiruninravur the next day and enquired with many people about a new Shiva temple built by Poosalar. Nobody knew anything about the temple but directed the king to the place where Poosalar was meditating under the Iluppai tree. King went and asked Poosalar himself about the temple. Poosalar, on hearing the king explaining about his dream, was overwhelmed to realize the mercy shown to him by Lord Shiva. Poosalar explained to the king that he had been constructing the temple in his heart (Manasu in Thamizh) and had fixed a date for consecration. Poosalar made the king to look at his heart and realize the temple which he constructed. King was able to see and realize the temple made by Poosalar. Knowing this Rajasimha was amazed to see the devotion and sincerity of Poosalar. The king himself took all the specifications of the temple which Poosalar had in mind and physically constructed a temple for the Lord here. This temple is also called Manakkoil. As Poosalar originally built the temple for the Lord in his Hridayam, the Lord here is known as Hridayaleeswarar.

Beliefs

As Poosalar kept Lord Shiva in his heart, worshiped him and built an imaginary temple for the lord, many suffering from heart problems pray to Hridayaleeswarar for a cure. The power of Hridayaleeswarar is so famous that cardiologists in Chennai, Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur visit Thirunindravur and pray at this Shiva temple before they perform major surgery. Those suffering from heart diseases pray here on Mondays. Devotees perform abishek, archanas and offer vastras to Lord and Mother.

Special Features

This Temple was built by Rajasimha Pallava the king of Kanchi, in the 6th Century CE on the vision of Poosalar, one of the 63 Nayanmars. The temple is facing east with entrance arches on the east and west side. The inner roof of the temple is fashioned like that of a heart divided into four compartments probably displaying Poosalaar’s conception. The imposing Dwajasthambam and Nandi are situated in the prakaram facing the sanctum. Presiding Deity is called as Hridayaleeswarar / Manavaleswarar and is facing east. Moolavar is little large Lingam housed on a square Avudayar. The main sanctum has an east facing Shivalingam with entrance from the south side. Poosalaar’s statue is found with folded hands in the shrine of Hridayaleeswarar. Lingothbhavar, Brahma Dakshinamurthy and Durga are niche Idols located around the sanctum wall. Vimanam is of Gajabrushta Style. People with an ailing heart is said to flock to this temple for speedy recovery due to Hridayaleeswarar’s grace. Ganapathy and Subrahmanya, the two sons of Shiva and Parvathi can be seen standing like Dwarapalakas (sentries) on either side of the entrance to the sanctum. Mother is called as Maragathambigai and is facing south. She is in standing posture. There is a statue of King Rajasimha in front of the Navagraha Shrine. There are shrines for Vinayagar, Nava kanniyars, Mandapam and office Room in the outer prakaram. There are shrines for Surya, Navagrahas, Pallava King Rajasimha, Ninravur Polla Pillayar, Nalvar, Sekkizhar, Nagars, Maha Ganapathy, Utsava Idols, Valli Devasena Subramaniyar with Nagars, Sandikeswarar, Palliyarai, Natarajar Saba, Bairavar and Chandran in the inner prakaram. There is also a mandapam in which Vahanam (Rishabha) for the Lord is kept for Urchavams. Sthala Vriksham is Vilwa Tree.

Festivals

Masi Maha Shivarathri in February-March; Makara Sankranti- Pongal falling almost on January 14 or a day before or after in some years occasionally; Panguni Uthiram in March-April; Vaikasi Visakam in MayJune; Vinayaka Chaturthi in August-September; Navarathri in September-October; Margazhi Arudra Darshan in December-January; Karthikai in November-December are the main festivals observed in the temple. Other Shiva related days as Pradosha, Mondays and Fridays, Tamil New Year Day, new moon days, and full moon days are celebrated with special pujas and abisheks.