Arthanareeswarar Temple, Egmore, Chennai
Arthanareeswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to
Lord Shiva located at Egmore, well-known locality of Chennai City in Tamil
Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Arthanareeswarar and Mother is called as Tripurasundari.
This Temple is considered as 2nd Thevara Vaipu Sthalam of
Chennai (the other one is Thiruvetteeswarar Temple at Triplicane). This temple
is on the banks of Holy River Koovam. The Koovam river runs as Uttaravahini
(flows towards North direction).
Legends
Ezhumbur:
As per the legend, Lord Shiva was worshiped by Saptha
rishis- Bhrigu, Athri, Bharadwaj, Kashyapa, Viswamithra, Gautama and Vashista.
Hence this place was called as Ezhur Ur and was referred by Appar as Ezhu Mur
and later turned to Ezhumbur (Egmore – British Period).
Arthanareeswarar:
As worshipping this Shivalinga would amount to joint
worshipping of Shiva and Shakti, the Lord of the temple is called
Arthanareeswarar.
History
The Lingam is said to be older than 7th Century.
The famous Saivite saint Thirunavukkarasar has sung about this temple, but this
temple remains unknown to most of the people today. Thirunavukkarasar refers
this place as ‘Ezhum Oor’ meaning ‘awakening’ which became Ezhumbur and Egmore
in English. About two centuries back, an old man, Aravamudhu Naidu, of this
place arranged cleaning of the tank in his land when it became dry. The Shiva
lingam along with Ganesha, Lakshmi Narayana Perumal was unearthed by Aravamudhu
Naidu. They were immediately cleaned and placed in a tent with a thatched roof.
Worshipping began with lighting lamps. The temple was built later. As the deity
was under water for a long period, He is also praised as Jalakandeswarar. It
was told that this Lakshmi Narayana Perumal might be previously at LNP (Lakshmi
Narayana Perumal) Street where Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple now exists.
The Temple
This is a small east facing temple without any
Rajagopuram or entrance arch or even Dwajasthambam. The temple also has a
spacious Maha Mandapam. Presiding Deity is called as Arthanareeswarar / Saptarishi
Nathar / Jalakandeswarar and is facing east. Palipeedam and Nandhi can be found
in front of the sanctum. Presiding Deity is housed in the sanctum in the form
of Lingam. Idol of Arthanareeswarar can be found behind Shiva Lingam. Shiva
lingam is little large by 3 feet high and 3.5 feet Avudayar.
Dhakshinamoorthy, Vishnu and Siva Durgai are the Koshta
Idols located around the sanctum walls. Maha Ganapathy can be found at the left
side and Senthil Nathan can be found on the right side at the entrance of the
sanctum. Mother is called as Tripurasundari and is facing south. Mother Tripura
Sundari graces the devotees from a separate shrine left of the Lord facing
south. The Navagraha shrine is nearby.
Lakshmi Narayana Perumal Shrine is situated on the right
side of Lord Shiva. Garuda can be found facing the Lakshmi Narayana Perumal Shrine.
There is also a shrine for Anjaneya. There are also procession deities for all
Gods in the temple. There are also shrines for Bairavar, Surya and Sukran in
the temple premises. The temple had lot of properties and all were encroached
and now stands squeezed between flats and residential buildings.
Temple Opening Time
The Temple remains open from 07.00 AM to 11.00 AM and 05.30
PM to 08.30 PM.
Singers
This Temple is considered as 2nd Thevara
Vaipu Sthalam of Chennai (the other one is Thiruvetteeswarar Temple at
Triplicane). Appar referred Lord Shiva of this temple in his 6th
Thevara Thirumurai. The Temple is considered to be 49th Thevara
Vaippu Sthalam. The famous Saivite saint Appar has sung about this temple, but
this temple remains unknown to most of the people today. Thirunavukkarasar
refers this place as ‘Ezhum Oor’ meaning ‘awakening’ which became Ezhumbur and
Egmore in English.
Prayers
Devotees pray to Lord for unity in family, removal of
problems in family, wedding, Child boon, health and all they wish in life.
Devotees perform abisheks to Lord and Mother and offer vastras. Worshipping
Lord Shiva here is believed to be worshipping him in many sacred shrines as
this Shiva Linga is said have been brought from Mount Kailash. Worshipping Lord
Arthanareeswara in his Linga form brings the devotee of worshipping Lord and
Mother – Shiva – Shakti together.
Contact
Arthanareeswarar Temple,
Egmore, Chennai – 600 084
Mobile: +91 97910 55080 /
99401 66691
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 200 meters from
Dasaprakash Bus Stop, 500 meters from Nehru Park Metro Station, 1 Km from
Egmore Bus Stand, 1 Km from Egmore Railway Station, 1 Km from Egmore Metro
Station, 4 Kms from Chennai Central Railway Station, 8 Kms from Koyambedu
Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus and 18 Kms from Chennai Airport. This temple is situated
on the Aravamudhan Street, off Poonamallee High Road next to Hotel Sudha (formerly
known as Dasaprakash). It is situated adjacent street to Sivakasi Hindu Nadar
Higher Secondary School.