Oondreeswarar Temple, Poondi – The Temple
Oondreeswarar temple is located in a calm location
with a lot of trees within its compound. It has two entrances at east and south
directions. The entrance has a flat entrance tower facing south direction acts
as the main entrance nowadays. The temple complex covers an area of one acre. All
the shrines of the temple are enclosed in concentric rectangular granite walls.
Originally, the temple was near a lake in Tiruvalampudur near
Poondi. Later, it has been shifted to a central place in Poondi.
Presiding Deity is a Swayambu Moorthy called as Oondreeswarar
/ Aadharadhandeswarar and Mother is called as Minnoli Amman / Kanivai Mozhi
Nayaki / Dhathgowri Ambal. Urchavar is Somaskandar. Sthala Vriksham is Ilandai.
Theerthams are Kuchasthalai River and Kayilaya Theertham. The central shrine is
approached through the side doors facing North axial to the gateway tower to
the Minnoli Amman shrine.
The central shrine facing East houses the image of
Oondreswarar in the form of Lingam. The central shrine is approached through a
Mahamandapam and Arthamandapam. The Panchaloka (metal) idols of Somaskanda are
located behind the main deity. At the entrance of the sanctorum, apart from
Dwarapalakas the idols of Ganesha and Subramanya-Valli-Devasena are found. As in
other Shiva temples in Tamilnadu, the shrines of Vinayaka, Murugan, Navagraha, Chandikeswara and Durga are located around the precinct of the main
shrine.
The shrine of Minnoli Amman, facing South has a gopuram type roof. Mother Minnoli Amman’s shrine is facing
the main entrance and is built in such a way that the devotee can worship both
Lord and Mother simultaneously. The Goddess, Minnoli appears with
four arms and in the standing posture in a separate shrine facing the south
direction. The second precinct has a shrine of Vinayaka and a garden
around the periphery of the compound wall.
It is strange tradition in the temple that Vada Mala (a
garland made of Vada the popular dish of Tamilnadu) on new moon and full moon
days. The highlight of the temple is Sculpture Sundarar holding a pole and
Nandi with his right horn broken both facing the main deity. The sculpture
shows Sundarar sad with blind eyes. As Lord Shiva gave pole to Sundarar, he is
named as 'Oondreeswarar' which means the Lord who presented pole.
Lord Valampuri Vinayaka adores the temple. There
are shrines of Lord Muruga with his consorts Valli and Deivanai, Navagrahas the
nine planets in standing form and Mother Mahalakshmi in the prakara the
corridor. Shri Bhairava with his eight hands is facing south. Special
pujas are performed for him during Ashtami times.
The outer prakara is full of trees. No sub-shrine or
idol except for Vazhi Thunai Vinayaka sub-shrine is located there. A big
flag staff, bali peetha and Nandi are located facing the temple at the outer
prakara. A small Bhairava idol is found adjacent to Nandi mandapa. The present
version of old inscriptions throws light about the donations given to the
temple for Pooja and burning of lamp.
