Body Guard Muneeswaran Temple,Chennai

Introduction to the Body Guard Muneeswaran Temple

The Body Guard Muneeswaran Temple is a small temple on the Pallavan Salai, near the Pallavan House and the Old Central Jail building in Chennai. Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital is southwest of the temple. This popular village deity, Muneeswaran, is otherwise called Jada Muni, Kottai Muni, Ratha Muni, and Pal Muni. As the deity is believed to protect his devotees and passers-by, he became known as 'Body Guard' Muneeswaran. Many families worship Body Guard Muneeswaran as their family deity.

Legend of the Body Guard Muneeswaran Temple

According to legend, laborers from the North Arcot district brought the idol of Muneeswaran to Madras City (Chennai) in 1919. They placed the idol under a Neem tree adjacent to the military camp of the Britishers. When a British Commander showed his objection, he met with an accident on the same day. From that moment onwards, he started believing in the idol's power and allowed it to be there.

Many devotees around Chennai started worshipping him and constructed a temple around the idol. They started believing that the temple's main deity, Muneeswaran, would save them from accidents. Hence, he got the name Body Guard Muneeswaran. Now, hundreds of devotees visit the Body Guard Muneeswaran Temple each day.

According to history, Pallavan Salai was originally called Body Guards Lines Road. The British Governor's bodyguards lived here, so people started referring to him as Body Guard Muneeswaran.

The Architecture of the Body Guard Muneeswaran Temple

The Body Guard Muneeswaran Temple features a typical South Indian architectural style. It is built in brick and cement. The temple is on the roadside, so people can see the deity directly from the road. Red and white paintings adorn the temple. The sanctum enshrines the main deity, Body Guard Muneeswaran, standing with his weapons. His idol is black and covered with Silver Kavas. A Trident is before the deity, on which devotees pierce lemons.

Devotees cook Pongal and tonsure their heads in the space around the temple. There is a small Pooja shop before the temple that sells Pooja items. Angala Parameswari Temple is opposite the Body Guard Muneeswaran Temple. People first visit here and then go to the Angala Parameswari Temple.

Festivals in the Body Guard Muneeswaran Temple

The Body Guard Muneeswaran Temple celebrates Pongal, Tamil, and English New Year. It attracts a huge crowd on Sundays and New Moon days.

Benefits of Worshipping at the Body Guard Muneeswaran Temple

Though it is a small temple, it always attracts a huge crowd. People who own vehicles visit the Body Guard Muneeswaran Temple to perform vehicle Pooja. They firmly believe Body Guard Muneeswaran protects them and their vehicles from road accidents. This road is always crowded with vehicles due to this temple. All pedestrians and vehicles stop before the temple momentarily to pray to the deity for smooth travel.

Devotees offer hens, goats, cigars, and ale to the deity. The priest offers red and black ropes to tie around the wrist or neck to protect against evil forces.