Vadapalani Andavar Temple, Vadapalani – The Temple
The Vadapalani Murugan Temple
is an artistically built temple that has four towers on all the four
directions. The Temple is facing east with two prakarams. Rajagopuram is
situated on the south side and it is tallest of the other towers. The Raja
Gopuram is exquisitely built with excellent carvings depicting various stages
of Lord Muruga’s life (Skandapuranam) and also 108 dancing postures observed in
the traditional Bharatha Nattiyam thus signifying the grace that is offered by
Lord Muruga for the artists.
The entrance to the temple has
a shrine for Lord Vinayaka who is called here as Varasiddhi Vinayakar. Lord
Shiva called as Chokkanathar has a separate sanctum where he blesses the
devotees in the form of Shiva Linga. Meenakshi Amman is also found in a separate
shrine in this temple. Dwajasthambam with Balipeedam are at the east side
entrance. The temple has Sanctum, Artha Mandapam and Maha Mandapam.
Ganapathy, Muthukumaraswamy
and Idumban can be seen at the entrance of Mahamandapam. Presiding Deity is
called as Vada Palani Andavar / Kaliyuga Varadhan. He is in standing posture of
about 4 feet high. At this temple, Lord Murugan is with his footwear which is
unique. Usually the Hindu gods are without any footwear at temples. Also, Lord
Murugan is placed in Lotus flower at this temple. Lord Murugan’s left foot is
seen to be a step ahead.
It is believed that it is
because the god is rushing forward to resolve issues of his devotees. Presiding
Deity looks very similar to the Moolavar in Palani Murugan Temple. Dwarabalakars
can be found at the entrance of sanctum. Maha Vinayagar, Dhakshinamoorthy,
Vishnu Subramaniyar, Brahma and Durgai are the niche idols located around the
sanctum walls.
The temple is constructed like
a Shiva temple except the presiding deity. The flag staff and bali peetha are
found facing towards the sanctum. Stucco images of Lord Murugan’s story of
Palani and Swamy Malai can be seen in the Mahamandapam. Madapalli, Kalyana Mandapams
and Urchava mandapams can be found in the outer prakaram. As Lord Muruga is the
deity for Angaragan or Sevvai (Planet Mars), there is a Shrine for Planet Mars in
this temple.
Lord Hanuman’s image is
inscribed in a pillar. Butter offered by the devotees is applied to this Lord
Anjaneya and the devotees pray for the fulfillment of their desires. There is a
sannidhi for siddhars on the South of the praharam, behind the shops selling
prasadam and devotional books. This renowned temple witnesses a large number of
weddings, about 7,000 weddings annually, and is famous for bringing people
together. It has a spacious hall used for conducting marriages and religious
discourses.
There are shrines and Idols of
Suryan, Naalvar, Vaiyapuri Pandiyan, Kasi Viswanathar, Visalakshi, Chandikeswara,
Lord Subramanya with his consorts Valli & Devasena, Veerabathrar, Maha
Lakshmi, Saneeswarar, Kali, Bhairava, Naga Subramaniyar, Natarajar, Urchavars,
Chandran and Sandikeswarar in the inner prakaram.
There are shrines for Varasiddhi
Vinayaka, Lord Subramanya with his consorts Valli & Devasena, Arumugar,
Arunagirinathar, Anjaneyar, Chandran and Suryan in the outer prakaram.
There is a big tank just in front of the temple with a Neerazhi Mandapam in the
middle. Sthala Vriksham of this temple is the Fig Tree (Athi Maram). There is a
Golden Car (Rath) for the temple.
Tonsuring place, Goshala,
Kalyana Mandapam, Muppperum Siddhars temple are located to the west side of the
temple. There is also a free cloak room for your footwear maintained by Hotel
Saravana Bhavan at the south entrance of the temple. The temple premises are
maintained by Hotel Saravana Bhavan and the premises are always very clean in
spite of the heavy crowds every day.
