Parasurama Lingeswarar Temple, Ayanavaram,
Chennai
Parasurama Lingeswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple
dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Ayanavaram, well-known locality of Chennai City
in Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called
as Parasuramalingeswarar and Mother is called as Parvatambika. Even though
the current structure of the temple doesn't seem to be very old, the presiding
deity is believed to be at least 1000 years old.
Legends
Parasurama Lingeswarar:
As per the legend, Parasurama, the incarnation (avatar)
of Lord Maha Vishnu, killed his own mother at the behest of his father. In
order to get rid of his sin, Parasurama worshipped Lord Shiva here. Hence, Lord
Shiva came to be called as Parasurama Lingeswarar.
Ayanavaram:
As per another legend, Lord Brahma aka Ayan took bath in
this temple tank and worshipped Lord Shiva; hence, the place was called as
Ayanpuram and later it became Ayanavaram.
The Temple
The Temple is east facing with five tiered Rajagopuram.
The flagstaff, Nandi Mandapam and Balipeedam are found facing towards the
sanctum. Presiding Deity is called as Parasuramalingeswarar and is facing
east. The sanctum enshrines a thin but tall Shiva Linga called as Parasurama
Lingeswarar. The base of the lingam is square, the lingam is made of sand stone
with a sliver of moon on its face. The lingam is said to change color according
to season between black and a golden hue. It is also said to exude heat at
times.
The vimana (roof tower) of the sanctum sanctorum is
designed in a special style of architecture called the Gaja Brishtam. This
makes the Vimanam looks like the rear of an elephant (Gaja - elephant, Brishtam
- rear). An idol of Ganesha can be found at the entrance of the sanctum. Ganesha,
Dakshina Murti, Vishnu, Brahma and Durga are the Koshta Idols located around
the sanctum. Chandikeswara, Pateeswarar Shiva Linga, Navagrahas, Surya,
Chandra, Bhairava and Saneeswara can be found in the inner prakaram around the
sanctum.
Mother is called as Parvatambika and is facing east.
The Goddess is found in a separate shrine in the prakara. She has four hands. There
are shrines of Nataraja with his consort Sivakami, Nalvar, Maha Ganapati,
Murugan, Utsava deities, Bala Subramanya and Nalvar in the outer prakaram.
Theertham associated with this Temple is Brahma Theertham and Sthala Vriksham
is Peepul and Neem.
Connectivity
The Temple is located in Parasurameswarar kovil street
just off Konnur High Road towards the western side. The Temple is located at
about 350 meters from Ayanavaram Railway Quarters Bus Stop, 700 meters from Annanagar
East Ganapathy Colony, 800 meters from Annanagar East Substation Bus Stop, 2.5
Kms from Anna Nagar East Metro Station, 4 Kms from Perambur Railway Station, 7
Kms from Egmore Railway Station, 8 Kms from Chennai Central Railway Station, 8
Kms from Koyambedu Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus and 16 Kms from Chennai
Airport. The Temple can be easily reached easily either by public transport or
by auto rickshaw/taxi, as the temple is located in a prime location of Chennai.
