Thursday, February 7, 2019

Venkatteeswarar Temple, Maduranthakam, Kanchipuram

Venkatteeswarar Temple, Maduranthakam, Kanchipuram
Venkatteeswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Maduranthakam Town in Kanchipuram District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Venkatteeswarar / Swetharanyeswarar and Mother is called as Meenakshi Amman. The Temple is considered as Thevara Vaippu Sthalam. The Temple has been praised by Saint Arunagirinathar in his Thirupugazh Hymns. Famous Yeri Katha Ramar Temple in Maduranthakam is situated very close to this Temple.


Legends
A skin disease of a Pandya King got cured with a dip in the temple tank and so is considered a Prarthana temple for skin diseases.


History
The Town Maduranthakam was founded by Parantaka Chola I and the temple was built by Kandarathitha Chola. The Temple was called as Madurantaka Chathurvedhi Mangalam during Chola period. Several inscriptions belonging to Parantaka Chola I (907-955 CE), Kandarathitha Chola (947-957 CE), Kulothunga I (1070-1120 CE) and Vikrama Pandya (1323 – 1330 CE) can be found in this Temple. The Temple has totally 27 stone inscriptions. These inscriptions belong to various dynasties like Chola, Pandyas, Vijayanagara and Nayaks. All these inscriptions talk about the grants and renovations of the Temple. The Temple was also called as Swetharanyeswarar Temple in one of the earlier inscriptions.


The Temple
This Temple is an ancient and large temple with a 5 tier Rajagopuram at the entrance and a large temple tank in front. Balipeedam, Dwaja Sthambam and Nandhi can be found immediately after the Rajagopuram and they are facing the sanctum. Twin Vinayaga can be found at the entrance. Presiding Deity is called as Venkatteeswarar / Swetharanyeswarar and is facing east. Lord is a Swayambu Moorthy. Mother is called as Meenakshi Amman and is facing South.


Nataraja along with this consort Shivagami and various Utsava Idols can be found in the Mandapam in the sanctum. A unique carving of a scared goddess Parvati with Shiva and a raging elephant is seen above Durga. A Somaskanda carving has Ganesha in place of Muruga here. There is shrine for Pandiswarar along with Mother Bhuvana Ambal near to Mother Meenakshi Amman Shrine. This shrine is dedicated to Pandiswara Nayanar and his wife.


There is a separate shrine for Lord Murugan called as Vijaya Arumugan in the Temple premises. He is gracing along with his consorts Valli & Deivanai. The Muruga Idol here is beautiful sitting on a peacock with 6 faces, 12 hands and consorts. This shrine has been praised by Saint Arunagirinathar in his Thirupugazh Hymns. There is a shrine for Narthana Ganapathy on south western side of the prakaram.


Naalvar, Dakshinamoorthy, Vishnu, Brahma, Chandikeswarar Kala Bhairava, Unmatha Bhairava, Ashtanga Bhairava, Swarna Bhairava and Durga can be found in the prakaram around the sanctum. Pallava era Soma Ganapathy and Somaskanda Idols can be found in the Chandikeswarar Shrine. Sthala Vriksham is Mantharam (Bauhinia sps) and Theertham associated with this Temple is Vida Hara Theertham.


Temple Opening Time
The Temple remains open from 06.00 AM to 10.00 AM and 04.00 PM to 08.00 PM.
Festivals
Shivarathri, Chitra Pournami, Arudra Darshanam, Thai Poosam, Masi Magam, Pradoshams, Naalvar Guru Pooja are the festivals celebrated here.
Prayers
A skin disease of a Pandya King got cured with a dip in the temple tank and so is considered a Prarthana temple for skin diseases.
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 600 meters from Maduranthakam Railway Station, 1.5 Kms from Maduranthakam Bus Stand, 13 Kms from Melmaruvathur, 20 Kms from Mamandur, 25 Kms from Chengalpattu, 28 Kms from Thirukazhukundram, 29 Kms from Uthiramerur, 43 Kms from Mahabalipuram, 56 Kms from Kanchipuram and 68 Kms from Chennai Airport. The Temple is situated on south eastern side of Maduranthakam Town and before the railway station on the National Highway from Villupuram to Chengalpattu.