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.