Tuesday, November 6, 2018

Chidambaram Periya Swamigal Jeeva Samadhi Temple, Velachery, Chennai

Chidambaram Periya Swamigal Jeeva Samadhi Temple, Velachery, Chennai
Chidambaram Periya Swamigal Jeeva Samadhi Temple is a Hindu burial shrine dedicated to Siddhar Chidambaram Periya Swamigal located at Velachery, well-known locality of Chennai City in Tamil Nadu. Chidambaram Periya Swamigal Jeeva Samadhi Temple is situated between western side IIT Gate and Gandhi road. The Temple is being managed by Mr. C S Selvamani, one of Swamiji Disciples.

Legends
Chidambaram Periya Swamigal had done many miracles in his life time. He used to give Vibhuthi, as daily wage to labourers but it turned to money to the workers. Swamiji used to visit a house for food regularly. One day, the lady in that house lied to Swamiji that food was not ready. When she opened the pot to feed her children she found the pot was empty. When Swamiji told her to open once again and she found the pot was full of food. Swamiji also cured the stomach pain of Arcot Nawab.

History
Chidambaram Periya Swamigal is from a village Ariyambakkam near Trichy. He was born to Muniyappan and Periyanayagi. He was instrumental in the reconstruction of Dandeeswarar Temple as per the order of Karunambikai in the form of an old lady. Swamiji attained samadhi on 14-12-1858, which was confirmed by the then British Doctors. Guru pooja is celebrated on this day of every year.
The Temple
The entrance to the Temple is from west with three tiered Rajagopuram. The Rajagopuram was built during 2010. Presiding Deity is called as Sarabeswarar (Panchamukha Lingam) with Thayar Yogeswari. Mother is called as Mahameru Kamakshi Amman. The Jeeva Samadhi of Chidambaram Periya Swamigal are present is housed in this temple. Jeeva Samadhi is facing east. The original Samadhi was built with stone structure and latter small sannidhis were added around Jeeva Samadhi. There are two more Jeeva Samadhis for his disciples Lakshmi Ammal and Ambalavana Swamigal.

Another specialty about this temple is that there are about 18 - siddhars statues have been consecrated along with 9 other saint’s statues in this temple. They are Agasthiar, Tirumular, Ramadevar, Sundaranandar, Macchamuni. Sattainathar, Bhogar, Korakkar, Karuvurar, Idaikadar, Konganar, Dhanavanthri, Pambatti Siddhar, Amugunnar, Shivavaggiyar, Kalangi, Pattinathar, Seshadri Swamigal, Punnagisar and Pulippani. Special Abishekams are done regularly.

There are shrines for Dhakshinamoorthy, Kasi Viswanathar, Kala Bhairavar, Pranava Moorthy Vinayagar, Anjaneyar, Naalvar, Kubera Perumal, Muthukumaraswamy, Navagrahas, Six Aathara Shakthis (Aathi Sakthi, Saraswathi, Lakshmi, Durgai with two faces, Annapoorani and Parasakthi) and Navagrahas in the Temple premises. There is also another Chidambaram Periya Swamigal Siddhar Peedam with Vinayakar temple on the 100 feet by-pass road near Sangeetha Hotel. Regular Annadhanam is being provided on Pournami and Thursdays.

Connectivity
The Temple is situated besides the Gandhi Road Bus Stop. The Temple is located at about 1.5 Kms from Vijayanagar Bus Stand, 5 Kms from Guindy Railway Station, 6 Kms from Thiruvanmiyur, 18 Kms from Tambaram Railway Station, 2 Kms from Velachery Railway Station, 5 Kms from Alandur Metro Station, 5 Kms from St. Thomas Mount Metro Station, 17 Kms from Chennai Central Railway Station, 15 Kms from Egmore Railway Station, 17 Kms from Koyambedu Bus Terminus, 6 Kms from Nangainallur, 6 Kms from Adyar and 12 Kms from Chennai Airport.
The Temple is located in Velachery, Chennai on the way from Saidapet towards Pallikaranai. Lot of Town buses available from various parts of Chennai City to Velachery and the bus stop is Gandhi Road Bus Stop between Gurunanak College and Vijaya Nagar Bus Terminus. The temple is located in the Rajbhavan-Vijayanagar Bus stand road, about 1.5 Kms from the Vijayanagar Bus Stand. Those coming from southern district may get down either at Tambaram or Guindy stations. There are bus facilities from these places to the temple. Nearest Airport is Chennai Airport.
Location