Oondreeswarar Temple, Poondi, Thiruvallur

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 7^th 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 17^th 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;

http://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2017/09/oondreeswarar-temple-poondi-legends.html

History

The original complex is believed to have been built by Cholas, while the present masonry structure was built during the 16^th 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;

http://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2017/09/oondreeswarar-temple-poondi-temple.html

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;

http://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2017/09/oondreeswarar-temple-poondi-religious.html

Singers

The presiding deity is revered in the 7^th 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 17^th 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.