Oondreeswarar Temple, Poondi, Thiruvallur
Oondreeswarar Temple (also called Poondi
Temple) is a Hindu temple dedicated to the Lord Shiva, located in Poondi, a village in Tiruvallur District in the South
Indian state of Tamilnadu. 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 temple is located
on the Northern banks of Poondi
reservoir on the Thiruvallur -
Thiruthani Road.
Before construction of Poondi reservoir, the temple was
at Tiruvalampudur (a village submerged in the reservoir) and a new temple was
reconstructed in the present place called Poondi. The temple complex covers an
area of one acre and all its shrines are enclosed with concentric rectangular
walls. The temple has a number of shrines, with those of Oondreswarar and his
consort Minnoli Amman being the most prominent.
The presiding deity is revered in the 7th century
Tamil Saiva canonical work, the Thevaram, written by Tamil saint poets known as the Nayanmars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam. It is considered as the 17th among the
Devara Paadal Petra Sthalams located in Thondai region. The temple
has three daily rituals at various times from 6:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.,
and four yearly festivals on its calendar. Brahmotsavam festival during
the Tamil month of Vaikasi (May - June) is the most
prominent festival celebrated in the temple.
Legends
For brief details, please refer below link;
History
The original complex is believed to have been built
by Cholas, while the present masonry structure was built during
the 16th century. There are inscriptions from later Chola emperors like Rajaraja
Chola I (985 – 1014), Kulothunga Chola I (1070 – 1120) and Rajendra Chola III (1246 – 1279). The Old Temple is located Tiruvalampudur
(now submerged in Poondi reservoir) is also called Pathiri Karanyam. Since this
area was full of jujubee tree it is called by that name. Tiruvalampudur is one
of the places taken over by Government in 1942 when it was decided to construct
a dam across Kuchasthalai river.
When the dam was constructed and it became a reservoir. Tiruvalampudur
was also called as Venpakkam. Now it is called Poondi Reservoir. When the
reservoir was constructed this temple was removed from this place and was built
in a new place and consecration was performed on 5.7.1968. This information is
seen in an inscription kept in Amman Sannidhi. In modern times, the temple
is maintained and administered by the Hindu
Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of the Government of Tamilnadu.
The
Temple
For brief details, please refer below link;
Temple
Opening Time
The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. and from
4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m. As the security of the temple resides within the temple
campus, devotees can worship the Lord any time.
Religious
Importance & Festivals
For brief details, please refer below link;
Singers
The presiding deity is revered in the 7th century
Tamil Saiva canonical work, the Thevaram, written by Tamil saint poets known as the Nayanmars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam. It is considered as the 17th among the
Devara Paadal Petra Sthalams located in Thondai region. Sundarar has
sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva and requesting for the eyesight back,
which he lost on the way to Thiruvarur from Thiruvotriyur. When Sundarar asked
whether Iraivan is in the temple (“கோயில் உளாயோ" ), Iraivan replied “Yes” and asked him to
proceed (“ யாம்உளோம் போகீர் “). After hearing this Sundarar has sung the
pathigam of “பிழை உளனபொறுத்திடுவர் “
Prayers
Those facing problems in marriage proposals, vision
troubles pray to Lord and Mother for remedy. Those having no hold in life,
depressed, suffering due to lack of developments in professions are advised to
pray to Lord sincerely for a paradigm shift in life. To those concluding
that life is but utter dark, Ambica shows the light and instill in them self-confidence.
Lord and Mother in this temple drag them from despair. Hence, the temple
is greatly praised as Nambikkai Koil – Trust Temple. Devotees perform
abishek to Lord and Mother with honey offering Vastras.
Contact
Oondreeswarar Temple
Poondi Reservoir Post, Via Tiruvallur
Thiruvallur – 602023
Phone: +91 44 -2763 9725
/ 2763 9895
Mobile: +91 99432 09387
Connectivity
This Shivasthalam Temple is located at about 24 Kms from
Thiruvallur, 55 Kms from Chennai, 59 Kms from Chennai Central Railway Station,
57 Kms from Egmore Railway Station, 37 Kms from Thiruthani, 41 Kms from Arakkonam,
37 Kms from Poonamallee, 24 Kms from Thiruvalangadu and 57 Kms from Chennai
International Airport.
By Road:
Bus facilities are available from Tiruvallur and Chennai
- Poonamallee. Town bus services Nos. T-41 and T-52 (via Neyveli Koot
road) are available from Thiruvallur bus stand to go to Poondi. The temple is
very near to the bus stop. Another way to reach the temple is to travel by bus
going to Uthukottai and get down at Neyveli Koot road and go by auto or walk
about 2 Kms to Poondi to reach the temple.
By
Train:
Nearest Railway Station is located at Thiruvallur.
Nearest Major Railway Stations are located at Arakkonam, Chennai Central
Railway Station and Egmore Railway Station.
By Air:
Nearest Airport is located at Chennai.
