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