Adhi Chenna Kesava Perumal Temple, West Mambalam,
Chennai
Adhikesava Perumal Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to
Lord Vishnu located in West Mambalam in Chennai City in Tamilnadu. Presiding
Deity is called as Adhi Chenna
Kesava Perumal and Mother is called as Senkamalavalli Thayar. It is said that Sri Ramanuja visited this
temple and stayed here for some time.
Etymology
Mambalam:
Mambalam is believed to have derived its name from the
existence of Maha Vilvam trees in the
locality, which in due course become Mavilam and then Mambalam.
Mylai
Mel Ambalam:
In ancient times it was known as Mylai Mel Ambalam (place
located on the west of Mylai). Then it changed to Mel-Ambalam. Then Mel (top)
changed into west and Ambalam changed into Mambalam. Therefore, now it is known
as West Mambalam.
Legends
According to legend, Madavachar, an ardent devotee of
Lord Ranganathar constructed the temple here when he had a dream from Lord
Vishnu. Madavachar, who stayed at Srirangam had no children. He ardently prayed
to Lord Ranganathar. The Lord appeared in his dream and told him to go to Tiruvallikeni
(Triplicane) and worship Lord Parthasarathy and also to Tirupati and worship
Lord Venkateswara. Madavachar and his wife started the journey on foot and on
the way, came to a forest. They were frightened and started chanting the Lord's
name. The Lord appeared in the form of a 10-year-old boy, took them to a
dilapidated mandapam and gave them food.
At night Lord Vishnu appeared before Madavachar in a
vision and told him to dig that place and recover his idol. Next morning,
Madavachar with the help of local people dug the place and got the idols of
Lord Kesava and the Goddess. Madavachar constructed the temple there with the
help of local people. Later Madavachar went to Tiruvallikeni and Tirupati and
worshipped the Lord there. He was blessed with a son. Lord Venkateswara
instructed him to go to Mabilam (West Mambalam) and continue to worship Lord Kesava
there.
The Temple
Presiding Deity is called as Adhi Chenna Kesava Perumal and Mother
is called as Senkamalavalli Thayar.
It is said that Sri Ramanuja visited this temple and stayed here for some
time. Ramanuja has a shrine in this Temple. Shrine of Bhaktha Hanuman on
the right and Vishwaksenar Shrine on the left can be found after entering the
Temple. There are shrines of Srinivasa Perumal, Ganesha, Andal, Chakrathazhwar,
Manavala Mamunigal Garudazhwar and Azhwars in the Temple premises.
Temple Opening Time
The Temple remains open from 06.30 AM to 11.30 AM and
04.30 PM to 08.30 PM.
Pooja Timings
Daily Two Kala Pooja's are conducted this temple.
·
Kalasanthi
- 07.30 A.m.
·
Sayaratchai
- 05.30 P.m.
Festivals
Ramanujar Urchavam during Chithirai Month, Vaikasi Visakam,
Nammalvar Urchavam during Vaikasi Month, Thiruvaimozhi Edu Urchavam during Aani
Month, Thiruvaadipooram Kalayana Urchavam & Gajendra Moksham during Aadi
Month, Krishna Jayanthi, Purattasi Saturdays, Navarathri, Karthikai Deepam, Vaikunda
Ekadesi and Panguni Uthram are the festivals celebrated in this Temple.
Connectivity
The Temple is
located in Govindan Street, West Mambalam, Chennai. The Temple is on the main
road near Mettupalayam Bus Stop. The Temple is located at about 1 Km from
Ayodhya Mandapam, 1 Km from Ashok Pillar, 1.5 Kms from Saidapet Railway
Station, 1.5 Kms from Mambalam Railway Station, 1.5 Kms from Ashok Nagar Metro
Station, 2 Kms from T Nagar Bus Terminus, 4 Kms from Guindy, 2.5 Kms from T
Nagar, 13 Kms from Chennai Central Railway Station, 8 Kms from Koyambedu Mofussil
Bus Terminus, 9 Kms from Egmore Railway Station and 10 Kms from Chennai Airport.
West Mambalam is served by Mambalam Railway station (the
busiest station after Chennai Central, Egmore and Tambaram), providing access
to Chennai Central, Chennai Egmore and Tambaram. The nearest bus terminus is T.
Nagar. The bus service connects the area to K.K. Nagar, Vadapalani, Iyappanthangal,
Poonamallee, T. Nagar and Broadway (via Postal Colony), Mylapore and Vallalar
Nagar (via Rangarajapuram) and Saligramam (via Brindavan Street), West Saidapet
and Besant Nagar (via Mettupalayam). Other less frequent services connect the
area to Taramani, Guindy Industrial Estate, Pattabiram, Tollgate and
Kundrathur. Addition to that Small bus operated between Ashok Pillar to Liberty
via 4th and 7th avenue of Ashok Nagar, Ayodhya Mandapam, Rangarajapuram.
Nearest Metro Rail Station is Ashok Nagar.
Location