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The Chettipunyam Hayagreevar Temple is a famous Hayagreevar temple situated at Chettipunyam. It lies 30 km away from Chennai city. The main deity is Vishnu, who graces in the name of Sri Varadaraja Perumal. Devi Hemambuja Nayaki is his consort. Sri Yoga Hayagreevar, as the god of knowledge, blesses all the students who come here and offer prayers to him. He bestows them with a good education and career opportunities. Chettipunyam Hayagreevar Vishnu temple and Sri Varadaraja Swamy temple are other names for it.
The word 'Hayagreevar' is derived from two Sanskrit words. 'Haya' means 'horse', and 'greeva' means 'neck'. He is depicted with a human body and the head of a horse. He is the god of knowledge, learning, and wisdom. In Hindu mythology, it is believed that Hayagreevar restored the Vedas to Brahma, who had lost them due to a curse. People worship Hayagreevar as the preserver and protector of knowledge.
The Chettipunyam village derived its name from a community of Chettiyars, who lived here and earned their living through weaving. Initially, the main deity of this temple was Sri Varadaraja Perumal and his consort Hemambuja Nayaki.
Chettipunyam Hayagreevar Temple is 500 years old. In 1848, Sri Dewan Rangachar brought the idols of Sri Hayagreevar and Sri Devanatha Swamy from the underground chambers of Sri Thiruvahindrapuram, Cuddalore. Sri Vedanta Desikar composed the popular Sri Hayagreevar Stotram with 32 verses praising him.
The Chettipunyam Hayagreevar Temple features the Dravidian style of architecture. The temple faces east with a pyramidal-shaped 2-tier Rajagopuram. Visitors can see its history written on the walls of the temple. The temple is comparatively smaller than the Prakaram.
The temple consists of a sanctum sanctorum, Ardha Mandapa, Maha Mandapa, Antarala, and Mukha Mandapa. Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of the sanctum. On the first level, the Rajagopuram has stucco images of Sri Varadaraja Perumal with his consorts, Sridevi and Bhudevi, and also Hayagreevar. A 3-tier stucco Vimana is over the sanctum. The vimana is called Ananda Nilaya Vimana.
The primary deity, Sri Varadaraja Perumal, flanked by Sri Devi and Bhu Devi on either side, graces from the sanctum. In front of them are the bronze idols of Sri Yoga Hayagreevar and Sri Devanatha Swamy. Sri Hemambuja Nayaki has a separate shrine.
Sri Hayagreevar is always seen with his consort Lakshmi Devi. But, in this temple, Sri Hayagreevar appears alone in a yoga mudra (meditating) posture. It is the specialty of the Chettipunyam Hayagreevar Temple.
The Urchavar is Sri Devanatha Perumal. Sri Devanatha Perumal is holding Prayoga Chakra in his right hand, an uncommon sight. Sri Andal, Thayar, and Garuda are the other deities housed here.
It is said that Sri Mudumbai Ramaswamy Iyengar brought the idols of Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, and Hanuman from Tanjore, and later, he installed them in this temple. The temple's Prakaram is huge and contains many varieties of trees.
The Chettipunyam Hayagreevar Temple is funded by the revenue generated from the 55 acres of agricultural land and the ancestral house of Thiru Rengaswamy Iyengar.
The Chettipunyam Hayagreevar Temple celebrates the entire Tamil month of Thai from January 15 to February 15. The villagers celebrate Thiruparvettai during Thai month. The ninth day of Navratri is observed as Mahanavami here.
Vaigasi Magam, Karthikai Deepam, Adi Pooram, Vijaya Dasami, and Rama Navami are the other festivals celebrated in the temple. The temple performs ceremonies as per Vaishnavism. The Ashtabandhana Maha Samprokshanam took place in the 1993.
Devotees believe that worshipping at Chettipunyam Hayagreevar Temple brings blessings of knowledge and wisdom, success in education and career, and protection from negative energies. Devotees tie a cloth in the Azhijal tree and pray to Hayagreevar for success in studies, marriage, and progeny.
Students offer Elaichi Mala flowers, pens, and notebooks to Hayagreevar for his blessings.
Chettipunyam bus stand is the nearest to the temple at a 1.5 km distance.
Singaperumal Koil is the nearest railway station to the temple. It is at a 5 km distance.
Chennai International Airport, at a 36 km distance, is the nearest.
The Chettipunyam Hayagreevar Temple remains open from 7.30 am to 12.00 pm and from 4.30 pm to 7.30 pm on all days.
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