Dakshinamurthy Temple, Thiruvotriyur, Chennai
Dakshinamurthy
Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to a
form of Lord Shiva located at Thiruvotriyur, well known locality in Chennai
City in Tamil Nadu. This Temple is located just before the Thyagarajar Temple
on the Sannathi Street. This temple has an impressive huge stone icon of Lord Dakshinamurthy in
the meditation form facing north.
Legends
There
was a Siddha living in this region running a school to teach Vedas to students.
He made an idol of Lord Dakshinamurthy, the origin of Vedas.
The
Temple
This is
a temple dedicated to Lord Dakshinamurthy facing north. Lord holds Agni (fire)
in the right hand, serpent in the left, pressing Muyalagan the symbol of
ignorance. Traditionally, only four Maharshis – Sanakar, Santana, Sananthana
and Sanathkumaarar are with the Lord. There are 18 Maharshis around the Lord in
this temple, a rare form. There is an elephant worshipping near the Lord on the
Peeta.
Traditionally,
Lord Dakshinamurthy is seen facing South. Rarely, he is facing North, thus
making this place more sacred as Vada Guru Sthalam –North Jupiter Land. The
installation of the deity is on the basis of Jupiter facing north among the
nine planets. Special pujas are performed to Lord Dakshinamurthy on Thursdays.
Special Homas and Shiva related Rudra Japa Mantra Pujas are performed with
special abishekams on Jupiter transit days.
There is
a metal idol of Dhakshinamoorthi which is lively and very beautiful. There is a
small Shiva Linga idol found near the main Dhakshinamoorthi’s foot. There is Bana
Linga in the front hall of the temple. Pujas are performed to Bana Linga when
it is performed to Lord Dakshinamurthy. Acharyas Adi Sankara and Veda Vyasa are
the procession deities. Special Pujas are performed to Maharshi Veda Vyasa on
Chitra Poornima day.
Lord
Panchamukha Vinayaka graces on a Lion vehicle in a shrine left of the presiding
deity. The significance is that all faces of Lord Vinayaka are on a single
direction. Another Vinayaka graces sitting under the Arasa Maram in the prakara.
The Temple also houses the Jeeva Samadhi of Siddhar Yogeeswarar Swamy. This Dhakshinamoorthy
Temple is built by Yogeeswarar Swamy.
Temple
Opening Time
The
temple remains open from 6.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. and from 4.00 p.m. to 8.00
p.m. On Thursdays, the temple is open from 5.00 a.m. to 9.00 p.m. continuously.
Festivals
Chitra
Poornima in April-May and Jupiter transit days are the festivals celebrated
here with much fanfare.
Prayers
This is
sacred place dedicated with Guru-Jupiter worship facing north, the direction of
Kubera the Lord of Wealth. It is believed that worshipping here benefits the
devotee with all prosperity. Those buying land and building use to place the
bricks in the form of a house in the temple before concluding the deal. Those
seeking excellence in education, arts, literature and music pray to the Lord.
For removal of obstacles in wedding efforts, devotees light lamps in lime cups
with ghee on Sundays between 4.30 p.m. and 6.00 p.m. They also offer garlands
made of a particular cereal called Kondai Kadalai and ghee lamps in Lord
Dakshinamurthy shrine. Realizing their wishes, devotees perform abishek to Lord
with milk, Panchamritham and offer yellow vastras-clothing.
Contact
Dakshinamurthy
Temple,
Sannathi
St, BKN Colony,
Gopal
Nagar, Thiruvotriyur,
Chennai
– 600 019
Mobile: +91 98407 97878
Connectivity
This Temple is situated on the
street of famous Thyagaraja Temple, Thiruvotriyur. The Temple is located
at about 400 meters from Theradi Bus Stop, 100 meters from Thyagarajar &
Vadivudai Ambal Temple, 700 meters from Thiruvotriyur Railway Station, 2 Kms
from Thiruvotriyur Bus Depot, 3 Kms from Wimco Nagar Railway Station, 11 Kms
from Chennai Central Railway Station, 14 Kms from Egmore Railway Station, 21
Kms from Koyambedu Mofussil Bus Terminus and 32 Kms from Chennai Airport.
There are buses operated from
here to all over Chennai and also a few limited services which run to various
parts of the Tamil Nadu state. There is a bus available to Parrys corner for
every 10 minutes through different routes. Thiruvotriyur is located at
the Chennai Central – Gummidipoondi suburban line of Chennai. The number of
train services on this route are quite frequent. Thiruvotriyur has two rail
stations, one at Thiruvotriyur and the other at Wimco Nagar. Nearest Airport is Chennai
International Airport located at Meenambakkam.
Location
References
