Balasubramania Swamy Temple, Uthiramerur, Kanchipuram
Balasubramania
Swamy Temple is dedicated to Lord Muruga, located at Uthiramerur in Kanchipuram
District of Tamilnadu. This is a temple adjacent to Sundara Varadaraja Perumal.
Looks like later period, has a tank. The temple seems to be somewhat different
from others when we go round – rocks all around. It has wide and spacious place
in front with recent addition of Ayyappan Sannidhi. The temple is maintained
neatly. This Temple has been praised in Thirupugazh Hymns of Arunagirinathar.
Legends
For
brief details, please refer below link;
History
According
to sources, this temple belongs to 8th Century. The Murthy here is a Swayambu
(self-evolved). The Temple was built by Jeyam Konda Chozhan.
The
Temple
This is
another ancient temple in Uthiramerur. Beautifully spread on vast area, this temple is
dedicated to Lord Muruga. Normally in Murugan temple, Peacock will be shown as
the ‘Vaganam’ (Carrier) for Lord Muruga but here Elephant stands as the Vaganam
for Lord Muruga which is rare of its kind in Murugan Temples. The Deity Balasubramaniar
is about 5-6 ft. tall, well decorated and gracefully blesses the visiting
devotees.
Other
deities are Pillaiyar, Lord Shiva, Skandhar, Shanmugar, Navagrahas etc., The outside
Prakaram is so vast with Dhwajasthambha and the whole gives a divine feeling
with many ancient sculptures standing testimony for the architectural
excellence of our ancestors. Lord Kadambanathar graces from a shrine in the
northeast corner of the temple enabling Lord Muruga to worship him. The
Vel of Lord Muruga in its idol form is open for the darshan of devotees in a shrine
in the northwest corner.
The
temple has a five tier Rajagopuram. The Oonjal Mandapam (Swing Mandapam)
and the Vasantha Mandapam in the outer prakara are on the left sides
respectively. The Bali peeta and the flag post-Kodimaram are in
between them. The elephant gifted by Indira to Muruga is also in
this spot. The entrance to the inner mandapam has the beautiful depiction of the
wedding of Lord Muruga.
The
inner wall of the Darshan mandapam before the sanctum sanctorum is covered with
brass sheets depicted with Siddhas engraved on them. The western wall has
paintings showing Lord Muruga fighting with Malayan Magaran. Lord Muruga, 6
feet tall as Balasubramania appears majestically in standing posture in the
sanctum sanctorum with his Vel and Cock symbol flag while the vahanam peacock
is at his feet.
Mother
Gaja Valli shrine – combination of Valli and Deivanai - is on the left
side. This is a rare feature of this temple. It is said that Lord
Muruga placed his Vel in this place to protect Sage Kashyapa while in
penance. Till today, no one had been able to estimate the depth of the
Vel. In the place of Chandikeswara as generally in Shiva temples,
Sumithirai Chandikeswara shrine adores this temple.
It is a
rock hewn temple as per Pallava style and you can see the remnants of the hill
with huge rocks jutting around in the outer praharam. A recently added Ayyappa Sannidhi
on the right side of the entrance is glaringly different. There are figures of
Shiva Parvati and Vinayaka behind the main deity. The Second praharam inside
has unusual Koshta Vigrahas. It is not the Ganesha, Brahma, Durga you see it is
Sangu Nidhi Kubera, etc.
Asara
Kondrai tree is the Sthala Viruksham in this Temple. There are shrines for Lord
Ekambaranathar, Perun Dandam Udayar, Mother Maha Tripura Sundari, Lord Kasi
Viswanatha, Lord Santhana Ganapathi and the Vel in the form of Lord Velayutha
Murthi in the inner prakara of the temple.
Temple
Opening Time
The
temple is open from 5.00 a.m. to 8.00 a.m. and from 4.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m.
Festivals
Aipasi
Annabishekam and Skanda Sashti in October-November; Karthikai Deepam in
November-December are the festivals celebrated in the temple.
Prayers
Devotees
pray in the temple to realize their wishes. Devotees perform abishek to Lord
Muruga and carry Kavadis.
Connectivity
Uthiramerur
is well connected by bus from Tambaram. Tambaram to Uthiramerur is about one
and half hours journey. Plenty of buses are there – roughly every half an hour.
After Mamandur on the GST, the bus takes a right turn. Once we leave the GST,
it is pristine country side with occasional granite factories. The town is very
busy and has very good bus facilities to Kanchipuram and Chengalpet.
This
temple is situated just adjacent to Sri
Sundara Varadharaja Perumal Temple and very close to the Bus Stand. The temple
can be reached through Kancheepuram-Uthiramerur buses running via Magaral. The
temple is 22 km far from Kancheepuram.
Uthiramerur
can be reached either from Chengalpet side from the NH 45. It is about 18 kms
from Bukathurai. Take the right on the highway after Andal Azhagar engineering college.
The road ends at Uthiramerur in front of the Sundara Varada Perumal temple and
the Balasubramanya swamy temple is almost next door.
References
