Bhaktavachaleswarar Temple,
Thirukalukundram, Chengalpattu
The Temple covers an area of about
ten acres and is surrounded by many Theerthams. This temple has four prakarams.
This Temple is also called as Thazha Koil as it is located at the foot hills. The
temple has four towers (gopurams) closely resembling the architecture
of the Annamalaiyar Temple. The temple has four
gopurams (towers), the tallest with nine tiers (on the southern side) and the
other three with seven tiers.
Of the four gopurams, eastern
one with nine Kalasams is the ancient amongst all. However, during 10-day Brahmotsavam
festival during Tamil month of Chithirai, the Lord exits the temple to offer his
blessings to the masses via southern gopuram. There is a 4-pillar mandapam with
Lord Ganesha and Lord Muruga as the Dwarapalakas (gatekeepers) immediately
after the eastern gopuram. Also, 16-pillar mandapam can be found on
the left side of the eastern gopuram.
Ashta Puja Durga is on the wall
of the present office complex on the east side entrance. The relief looks very
beautiful. There are engravings in the western gopuram preach the
philosophy that animal, human, devas, and every other being could perform Shiva
Pooja emphasizing the equal rights to all devotees. There is an Aamai
(Tortoise) Mandapam in the Temple premises. It was built in the 18th
Century and architecture resembles 100-pillar mandapam at Varadaraja Perumal Temple
in Kancheepuram.
This mandapam gets its name from
the shape of Bali Peedam. It is in the shape of tortoise shell upon which Pooja
is carried out. Kalyana Utsavam (Wedding Ceremony for Lord Shiva and Mother), Nataraja
Abhishekam and other key festivals are carried out in this Mandapam. This
mandapam also has sculptures of Lord Shiva’s play (Thiruvilaiyadalgal).
The Mahamandapam after the inner
gopuram (Rishi Gopuram) contains a fine sculptural representation of a 7-feet
tall Agora Veerabhadra (Siva
in ferocious form). Idols of 63 Nayanmars can be found in the Maha Mandapam. Presiding
Deity is called as Bhaktavachaleswarar. He is housed in the sanctum in the form
of Lingam. Sculpture of Somaskanda (Lord Shiva, Mother Parvathy and Lord Muruga
as a child) can be found behind the Lingam.
The vimana,
the roof over the sanctum is Gajabrusta in design (like that of an elephant's
seated posture). Mother is called as Thirupurasundari. She is housed in a
separate shrine. The architecture of the shrine resembles Ambal shrine of
Thanjavur Periya Kovil. Mother is Swayambhu Idol here. Hence, Abhishekam is
done only to her feet on normal days and for the whole idol only on three days
– Aadi Pooram, the last day of Navaratri and Panguni Uthram. Sri Chakram is installed
on Ambal.
Vilenthiya Velan / Murugan can
be found in front of Mother Shrine. The idol looks very beautiful. The
scene of eagles visiting the temple is sculpted on one of the walls in front of
Goddess Thirupurasundari Shrine. Verses from the Abhirami Andhathi are engraved
on marble slabs fixed on the walls around the sanctum. There are lot of Tamil
inscriptions on the sanctum and Mother Shrine wall. These inscriptions belongs
to Pallavas, Cholas and Rashtrakutas.
The Temple Tank, Nandi Theertham is located in the
prakaram of the temple. It has a huge Nandi (mount of Siva), facing
Vedagiriswarar on the hilltop. The absence of a Nandi before the presiding
deity on the hilltop is a unique feature. Sthala Vriksham is plantain Tree. There are also separate shrines for
Manikkavasakar, Ekambaranathar, Vanduvana Vinayagar, Jambukeswarar,
Arunachaleswarar, Somaskanda, Athma Nathar, Arumugaswami and Prathyacha
Vedagiri in the Temple premises.
Connectivity
For brief details, please refer below link;
Location | Photos