Arunachaleswarar Temple,
Edaikazhinadu, Chengalpattu
Arunachaleswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to
Lord Shiva located in Edaikazhinadu Town in Cheyyur Taluk in Chengalpattu
District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Arunachaleswarar and
Mother is called as Abithagujambal. This Temple is famously associated with Idaikattu
Siddhar.
Legends
Idaikattu Siddhar is considered as one among the 18
Siddhars in Tamil tradition. He authored verse 54 of the Tiruvalluva Maalai.
He stayed in Edaikazhinadu for some time. He is said to have predicted a famine
12 years before its occurrence. It is said that he rearranged the positions of
the Navagrahas at this temple to bring rainfall and end the famine ravaging
this region. The Navagrahas in this temple are placed in
unusual position and facing different directions. He used to meditate on a
small islet called Idaiyan Thittu in the sea near Alamparai fort. It is
believed that the Siddhar still lives in Idaiyan Thittu in aroopa form and
comes to worship Lord Shiva in this temple every full moon day.
History
Edaikazhinadu dates back to the Sangam period spanning
from 6th century BCE to 3rd century CE. Edaikazhinattu
Nallur Naththathanar, author of Sirupanatrupadai in the Pathupattu anthology
of the Sangam literature, was born in Nallur
Village close to Edaikazhinadu. There is a memorial for him in his native
village built by the Government of Tamil Nadu. The Temple is believed to be
around 1000 years old.
The Temple
This Temple is facing towards east with an entrance
arch. The entrance arch has stucco images of Rishabaroodar. Balipeedam, Dhwaja Sthambam and Nandi can be found
immediately after the entrance arch, facing towards sanctum. The sanctum
sanctorum consists of sanctum, ardha mandapam, maha mandapam and mukha
mandapam. Presiding Deity is called as Arunachaleswarar and is facing east. He
is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam.
Vinayaga, Dakshinamoorthy,
Vishnu, Brahma and Durga are the koshta idols located around the sanctum walls.
Chandikeswarar shrine can be seen in his usual location. Mother is called as Abithagujambal. She is housed in a separate east facing shrine. Her
shrine is situated on the left side of the sanctum. Shrines of Vinayaka, Murugan
with his consorts Valli & Devasena, Navagrahas and Bhairava can be seen in
the temple premises. The Navagrahas are placed in unusual position and facing different
directions in a circle around Sun.
The Navagraha shrine is circular in shape. Idols of
Ganesha, Vishnu and Nagas can be found under the Neem and Peepal Tree. Sthala
Vriksham is Vilwam Tree. The Temple tank is situated at front side of the
temple. Carvings of Anandha Sayana Vishnu, Oordhuva Thandava Moorthy, Kali,
Damodara, Anjaneya, Kamadhenu worshipping Lingam with its milk and animals like
peacock, rabbit, bull, lion & elephant can be seen on the walls of the
sanctum.
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 2.5 Kms from Kadapakkam
Bus Stop, 7 Kms from Thenpakkam, 9 Kms from Cheyyur, 19 Kms from Marakkanam, 33
Kms from Melmaruvathur, 37 Kms from Melmaruvathur Railway Station, 47 Kms from
Puducherry, 47 Kms from Tindivanam, 47 Kms from Tindivanam Railway Station, 60
Kms from Chengalpattu, 100 Kms from Chennai Airport and 105 Kms from Chennai.
Edaikazhinadu is situated on ECR road connecting Chennai and Puducherry. Buses
connecting Chennai and Puducherry on ECR stops at Kadapakkam Bus Stop. Autos
are available from this bus stop to reach this temple.
