Aadhi Kesava Perumal Temple, Chintadripet, Chennai
Aadhi Kesava
Perumal Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu located at Chintadripet,
a well-known locality in Chennai City
in Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Aadhi Kesava
Perumal and Mother is called as Aadhi Lakshmi. The Temple is situated on the
banks of River Coovum. This Temple along with Aadhipureeswarar Temple are
considered as Company Shrines of Chennai City.
Etymology
Chinna - Thari - Pettai (i.e. the hand operated weaving
machine in Tamil is called as Thari and Chinna means small) was changed to
Chintadripet.
History
The Chintadripet area was planned and developed as an
area for weavers by the then rulers of India, East India Company, in 1734. It
was developed by Dubash Audiyappa Naicken when George Morton Pitt was the
Governor. He started building the twin temples of Aadhipureeswarar and Aadhi Kesava
Perumal in Chintadripet in 1740s. This is to motivate weavers to get residence
around these two temples. These temples were built at a cost of 18000 pagodas.
The Temple
The temple is facing east with an entrance arch. The temple,
like any other South Indian temples, has Bali Peetham, Dhwajastambha and Garuda
idol all facing the main shrine. The Sanctum sanctorum was built with sanctum,
Arthamandapam and a Muka Mandapam. Vimana over the sanctum is called Ananda
Vimana. The way to the sanctum-sanctorum is through the Mahamandapam with many
pillars resembling the Vijayanagara style of architecture and rich in sculptures
depicting various forms of Vishnu and donors.
The ceiling of this mandapa has an eye-catching carving
of a full-blown lotus with the ten incarnations of Vishnu (Dashavatara)
sculpted all around. Dwarapalakas can be
found at the entrance of the sanctum. There is a sculpture of Anantasayana on
five-hooded Adisesha and with Sri Devi and Bhu Devi at his feet on the lintel
of the sanctum. Two sages, one of whom is the horse-faced Thumburu are seen
behind the Goddesses. Brahma and another sage are seen near Adisesha.
Presiding Deity is called as Aadhi Kesava Perumal and is
facing east. The Idol of Aadhi Kesava Perumal, believed to have emerged from an
anthill, is in a standing posture with four hands and flanked by consorts, Sri
Devi and Bhu Devi. The bronze idols of Aadhi Kesava and his consorts
are also found in the sanctum. Mother is called as Aadhi Lakshmi and is facing
east. She is housed in a separate shrine located in the outer prakaram.
There are also shrines for Ramanuja, Hanuman, Chakrathalvar-Narasimhar,
Alwars and Andal in the Temple premises. There is a sculpture of
Bikshadana, a form of Lord Shiva in one of the pillars in the Mukha Mandapam.
The presence of Shaiva elements in Vishnu Temple might be possible because both
the temples were constructed during the same period, pillars might have interchanged.
Sculptures of Ranganatha and Thumbikai Alwar (Ganesha)
are found in one pillar. The Oonjal mandapam of the temple is architecturally
beautiful. This temple shares the temple tank, with the adjacent Shiva
temple. The Temple tank is protect by tall compound wall. A four pillared
granite Mandapam can be found in the middle of the tank.
Temple Opening Time
The temple remains open from 07.00 AM to 11.30 AM and 05.00
PM to 08.30 PM.
Contact
Aadhi Kesava Perumal Temple,
Chintadripet,
Chennai – 600 002
Mobile: +91 98403 37834
Connectivity
The
Temple is located at about 200 meters from Chintadripet Market Bus Stop, 200
meters from Chintadripet Potti Kadai Bus Stop, 1 Km from Chintadripet Railway
Station, 1 Km from Egmore Railway Station, 1.5 Kms from Egmore Metro Station,
3.5 Kms from Chennai Central Metro Station, 4 Kms from Chennai Central Railway
Station, 11 Kms from Koyambedu Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus and 19 Kms from
Chennai Airport. The Temple is situated on the right side off Arunachala
Street, on Nainiappa street. Chintadripet is well connected to the rest of
Chennai by Bus and Train facilities.
Location
References