Valmiki Temple,
Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai
Valmiki Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Sage
Valmiki located at Thiruvanmiyur, well-known locality of Chennai City in Tamil
Nadu. This is a small temple and some consider this is the Jeeva Samadhi of
Sage Valmiki. It stands on the East Coast Road in the aptly named Valmiki
Nagar. This temple is situated very close to the famous Marundeeswarar Shiva Temple.
Legends
Thiruvanmiyur:
Legend has it that poet Valmiki, after writing the
Ramayana, was heading south along the sea shore and rested here. Hence, the
area is called Thiru-Valmiki-Oor and later corrupted to Thiruvanmiyur.
Valmiki:
One of the 18 Siddhas of Tamilnadu is Vanmeegar. Some
say he is same as Valmiki who wrote Ramayana. Maharishi Valmiki is considered
as one of the main Gurus of the Valmiki (Balmiki) sect.
History
The Maharishi Valmiki temple in Thiruvanmiyur in Chennai
is believed to be around 1300 years old. The Temple was constructed during
Chola reign. Valmiki temple is in the middle of the road and the highways
department wanted to remove it. But it was stopped due to protests from various
people. A few years ago, it was by the side of the road. A few decades ago,
this was a part of the Marundeeswarar temple land. The East Coast Road, as it
is known today was built only in 1998. Prior to that, the only road connecting
Chennai to Pondicherry is the OMR road as it is known today. Now the Valmiki
temple is officially under the supervision of Maruntheeswarar temple.
The Temple
This is a very small Temple and it is situated in the
middle of the road. The Temple looks like a mandapam.
Festivals
Every year, the Brahmotsavam festival is held with great
devotion here in the month of March. The celebrations are marked by a special
pooja. Poojas or prayer sessions are also conducted every month on the full
moon day.
Connectivity
For brief details, please refer below link;
Location