Friday, October 8, 2021

Maha Kaleeswarar Temple, Pazhayanur, Chengalpattu

Maha Kaleeswarar Temple, Pazhayanur, Chengalpattu

Maha Kaleeswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Pazhayanur Village in Madurantakam Taluk in Chengalpattu District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Maha Kaleeswarar and Mother is called as Maragathavalli. The Temple is situated on southern banks of Palar River.


The Temple

This Temple is facing towards east with a dilapidated entrance arch. The pillars and foundations of the arch can be seen. Shrines of Murugan and Ganesha can be seen at the entrance arch. These shrines are of recent origin. Nandi and Balipeedam can be found facing the sanctum though a hole. The Temple consists of sanctum, ardha mandapam, maha mandapam and open mukha mandapa.


Presiding Deity is called as Maha Kaleeswarar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. Lord is a Swayambhu Moorthy (self-manifested). The sanctum is in the form of Gajabrusta, the shape of an elephant in its sitting posture. Tripuranthaka, Dakshinamurthy, Vishnu, Brahma and Shiva Durga are the koshta idols located around the sanctum walls.


Chandikeswarar shrine can be seen in his usual location. Mother is called as Maragathavalli. She is housed in a separate south facing shrine. There are shrines for Sakthi Ganapathy, Sadasiva Brahmendra, Maha Kali, Veera Ganapathy, Pralayantha Bhairava and Murugan in the temple premises. There is an inscriptional slab in the temple premises.


Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 2 Kms from Padalam, 2.5 Kms from Padalam Railway Station, 2.5 Kms from Kolambakkam, 15 Kms from Maduranthakam, 15 Kms from Chengalpattu, 16 Kms from Chengalpattu Junction Railway Station, 16 Kms from Chengalpattu New Bus Stand, 55 Kms from Chennai Airport and 74 Kms from Chennai. The Temple is situated at about 2.5 Kms from Kolambakkam off the Chengalpattu to Madurantakam route.

Location