Theerthapaleeswarar Temple, Triplicane – The Temple
The Temple is one of the seven Saptha Sthana (Saptha
meaning seven) temples for Shiva in Mylapore worshipped by the Saptha rishis –
Adri (Theerthapaleeswarar Temple), Brugu (Malleeswarar Temple), Kutsa (Virupaksheeswarar
Temple), Vashista (Karaneeswarar Temple), Gautama (Valiswarar Temple), Kashyapa
(Kapaleeshwarar Temple) and Angirasa (Velleeswarar Temple). Originally, they
were all part of a single temple but in due course they have become separate
temples.
The east facing temple does not have tower but has an
arch at the entrance. Although the temple is supposed to be very old, the
current structure seems to be new. Presiding Deity is called as Theerthapaleeswarar.
Sun God worships Lord Shiva in the temple spreading his rays on Shivarathri
day. Lord and Mother appear short in stature – just two feet
tall. Lord looks leaning on a side in the shape of a cucumber.
To help Sage Agasthya to worship him, it is said that Lord
reduced his height, it is explained. All-important pujas to Lord are
performed with sea water only. Nardana Vinayaka, Dhakshinamoorthi, Vishnu,
Brahma and Durga are found as the Koshta (niche) idols on the outer wall of the
sanctum. Mother is called as Thiripurasundari and is found in a separate
shrine.
Lord Chidambara Vinayaka graces from a separate
shrine. Students place a sheet of paper at his feet with their name and
class. As beloved of the students, he is respectfully noted as “Pass granting
Ganapathi”. Lord Narayana with Mother Mahalakshmi on his lap and Sun
God grant darshan in the Maha Mandapam – Main Hall of the temple facing the
Presiding Deity. Magizham tree is before Lord Dakshinamurthy and Vanni before
Lord Ganapathy.
It is the faith of the students that they would be lucky
to pray two Gods of Wisdom from a same spot in the temple. Devotees
perform Abishek to Lord Shiva and Nagar under the Peepal tree-Arasa Maram in
the temple for reliefs from doshas. Stucco images of all the other 6 Saptha
Sthana Sthalangal story can be seen in the front mandapam.
There are Shrines for Urchavar, Natarajar, Bairavar, Lakshmi
Narayanan, Suryan and Naalvar in the inner prakaram. Vinayagar under the neem
tree, Shiva and Ambal Idols, Shrines of Sandeswarar, Valli Deivanai Samedha
Subramaniyar, Anjaneyar, Saneeswarar and Navagrahas can be seen in the outer
prakaram.
In the olden days, there were 64 sacred ponds leading
from this temple till the ocean. The current scenario is bad. Forget about 64
sacred ponds; you cannot find even a single pond. Even the temple remains
little known and is located in an encroached lane. Vanni tree is the Sthala
Vruksha (holy tree) of this temple.
