Jambugeswarar Temple, Sembakkam – History
This
Temple was built by the Chola king Kochenganan and successfully renovated by
Chola Kings like Paranthaka I, Kandaraadhithan, Sundaran and Vikraman. Kanadarathitya
Chola ruled only for two years due to his deep interest in spirituality. He
converted the mud (brick) construction of this temple into a stone construction
in memory of his wife Sembian Madevi. Inside the temple, in the shrine of Sun
God, King Kandaraadhithan and his wife are present as sculptures in a pillar.
Down the
line, another King Sundara Cholan built the Goddess shrine and named her as
Sundarambal and in pure Tamil called Azhagambigai (Sundaram means beauty and
called Azhagu in Tamil). According to the blessings given by His Holiness Sri
Kanchi Kamakoti Peetathipathi Jagadguru Sri Chandrasekara Sankaracharya
Swamigal, Kancheepuram (“Periyaval”), this temple is in existence from time
immemorial, since there are vast references about this temple in other ancient
legends (Puranas) like Machapuranam, Koorma Puranam, Vamana Puranam,
Pavushiyapuranam, Lingapuranam etc.,
The
ancient character of Sembakkam justifies the presence of so many important
temples and temple tanks in and around Sembakkam. Seervalarseer Arul kaviarasar
Devikarumaridasa Swamigal, author of Thiruverkadu Karumaripuranam and
Adeenakarthar of Arulmigu Jambugeswarar Iraipani Mandram has planned to write
regular Uthara Jambugeswarar Sthalapuranam in 5555 songs with 32 Padalam
(Chapters) based on the information available in the ancient legend like
Machapuranam, Koorma Puranam, Vamana Puranam, Pavushiyapuranam, Lingapuranam
etc.,