Chennai - Temples

Kolappaakkam Sri Agatheeswarar Temple Sri Suryan

This temple is said to be over 1300 years old. According to legend, Sri Bhagavan had worshipped Lord at this temple. Sri Surya Bhagavan has a separate shrine inside this temple facing the Lord towards west. This temple is one of the Navagraha temples of Chennai devoted to Sri Surya Bhagavan .

Somangalam Sri Somanaadheeswarar Temple Sri Chandran

This temple is one of the Navagraha temples of Chennai (or Thondai Mandalam) devoted to Sri Bhagavan (Moon God). According to legend, once, Sri Chandra Bhagavan (also called Soman) is said to have got cursed by Dhakshan. As a result, he lost his divine charm and forgot all 16 form of arts he acquired. To come out of this, He is said to have created a pond here called Soma Theertham and worshipped Lord Shiva here. After this, he got back his beauty and wisdom. As Sri Soman (Sri Chandra Bhagavan) worshipped the Lord here, Lord Shiva here is called Somanaadheeswarar and the place came to be known as Somangalam.

Poonamalee Sri Vaidheeswarar Temple Sri Angaaragan

This temple is one among the Navagraha temples of Chennai (or Thondai Mandalam) for Angaaragan. It is said that Sri Angaaragan worshipped Lord Shiva at this place. Sri Angaaragan’s Paadham (foot mark) is found in the temple just outside the sanctum under the Panai (Palm) tree sculpted on stone. This temple is a Parihaara Sthalam for Chevvaai Dhosham. Special Poojas are done here on Tuesdays for Sri Angaaragan.

Kovur Sri Sundhareswarar Temple Sri Budhan

Kovur has a massive temple for Lord Shiva built by Kulothunga Chozha, dating back to 7th century. The main deity of this temple is Sri Sundhareswarar (also called Thirumaeneeswarar) and Goddess Sri Soundharaambigai (also called Thiruvudai Naayagi).The temple is facing south with a beautiful 7 tiered Rajagopuram. The entire Sannadhi Street itself is so beautiful with shady trees and ancient houses.This temple is one among the Navagraha temples of Chennai (or Thondai Mandalam) for Sri Budhan (Mercury).

Porur Sri Ramanaadheswarar Temple Sri Guru

As Sri Rama worshipped Lord Shiva as His Guru, this place became a Guru Sthalam among 9 Navagraha Temples of Chennai (or Thondai Mandalam). Here Lord Shiva Himself is worshipped as Sri Guru Bhagavan.

Maangaadu Sri Velleeswarar Temple Sri Sukran

According to the legend, when Goddess Sri Kamakshi performed Thapas here in Maangaadu, Lord Shiva came down to earth to give dharshan to Her and marry Her. It is said that, Sri Sukran (Venus) worshipped Lord Shiva here. When Sri Kamakshi came here to have dharshan of Lord Shiva, the Lord came to be known as Sri Velleeswarar and also called as Sri Bhaargaveswarar.This temple is Sukran Sthalam among the Navagraha Temples of Chennai (or Thondai Mandalam). Sri Sukran blesses people with wealth, prosperity, good family, vehicles, fame and social status. Pozhichalur Sri Agatheeswarar Temple Sri Saneeswarar

The main deity here is Sri Agatheeswarar and Goddess Sri Aanandhavalli. This beautiful temple is one among the Navagraha temples of Chennai (or Thondai Mandalam) dedicated to Lord Sri Saneeswara Bhagavan. According to legend, Lord Shiva directed Sri Agasthiyar to go towards south to balance the earth during His wedding at Mount Kailash. As per the God’s direction, Sage Agasthiyar came down to the southern part to balance the weight of the earth. While he was on his way to Podhigai hills, he stayed here for many years and worshipped Lord Shiva, a Swayambhu (self evolved) Lingam at this place .

Kunrathur Sri Naageswarar Temple Sri Raahu

This temple was built by the famous poet Sri Sekkizhaar who wrote the popular ‘Periya Puranam’. Sekkizhaar was born in Kunrathur itself. Once Kulothunga Chozha II wanted to know his intellect and tested him with his questions. Sekkizhaar answered the king perfectly and the king was amazed. The king made Sekkizhaar his minister at his capital. Sekkizhaar was an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva and was regularly worshipping Lord Shiva at Thirunaageswaram near . During later stages, Sekkizhaar built a temple for Lord Shiva at Kunrathur which is very similar to the Thirunaageswaram temple. He installed the deity (Shiva Lingam) with Naagaabaranam (snake as an ornament) around the Shiva Lingam and named the Lord as Sri Naageswarar .

Gerugambaakkam Sri Neelakandeswarar Temple Sri Kethu

This temple is one of the Navagraha temples of Chennai (or Thondai Mandalam) devoted to Sri Kethu Bhagavan. There is a separate shrine for Kethu Bhagavan on the southern side of the sanctum. Special Poojas and Homams are performed to Sri Kethu Bhagavan during Raahu Kethu Peyarchi. This is also a Parihaara Sthalam for people having ill effects in their lives because of Kethu’s position in their Horoscope. The main deity Sri Neelakandeswarar is situated in a small and beautiful sanctum. The Lord got His name Neelakandeswarar, as he swallowed the Aala Kaala Poison which evolved during the churning of the ocean, after which His neck turned blue. In Thamizh ‘Neela’ means blue and ‘Kanda’ means neck. It is said that the Nandhi in front of the Lord is so powerful, as he absorbs the poisonous breath of the Lord after He consumed poison.