Shri Aadhipureeswarar Temple

Introduction to Shri Aadhipureeswarar Temple

Shri Aadhipureeswarar Temple is an ancient temple on the Velachery-Tambaram main road at Pallikaranai, Chennai. The temple is now under the control of the HRCE Department, Tamilnadu.

Legend of Shri Aadhipureeswarar Temple

According to legend, the sage Vyagrapada sought a place with abundant Bilva trees to perform a sacred Pooja to Shiva. Shiva granted him a tiger's legs to fulfill his wish, allowing him to collect flowers and leaves for worship quickly. From this incident onwards, he became known as Vyagrapada. Later, a king in the region learned of his story and erected a temple in this location, named it Puliyur Kottam. ('Vyagara' means 'Puli' or 'tiger' in Sanskrit). Those who could not go to Srikalahasti perform Parihara Pooja here.

History of Shri Aadhipureeswarar Temple

The walls and adhisthanam have Krishna Devaraya inscriptions from 1525 AD and three more later inscriptions. The place was previously called Jayamkonda Chozhamandalathu Puliyur Kottathu Surathoor Nattu Pallia Kaaranai, and Shiva was Adheeswaramudaiyar.

Due to a lack of maintenance and patronage, this brick temple became dilapidated. Thanks to the efforts of local people and Shanta Nayagi Trust, reconstruction began in 1984. The temple conducted Maha Kumbhabishekam on August 22, 1999. The Rajagopuram work was initiated in 2011 and completed in 2013.

A specialty of Shri Aadhipureeswarar Temple is the sun rays that fall on Moolavar from the 15th to the 30th of Masi month (Feb - March) every year.

The Architecture of Shri Aadhipureeswarar Temple

Shri Aadhipureeswarar Temple, facing east, has a three-tier Rajagopuram. It was built 700 years ago and features a typical South Indian architectural style. The temple underwent renovation during the Krishnadeva Raya period.

The temple tank is on the temple's east side, which was recently renovated with steps and a walking track. Bali Peetam, Dhwajasthambam, and Nandi are next to the Rajagopuram. The sanctum houses the main deity, Shri Aadhipureeswarar, as Swayambu. Shanta Nayagi Ambal is his divine consort. Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Mahavishnu, Brahma, and Durga are the Koshta idols around his sanctum.

Shanta Nayagi Ambal has a separate shrine in Maha Mandapam. Mahalakshmi, Saraswati, and Kamakshi Koshta idols surround her sanctum.

The temple's prakaram includes Anjaneyar, Maha Ganapathy, Valli Deivanai Arumugan, Saba Mandapam with procession deities, Navagrahas, Chandikeswarar, Vinayagar, Brahmi, Maheshwari, Varahi, Rahu & Ketu, Sarabeswarar, Swarna Akarshana Bhairavar, Vyagrapadhar, Pathanchali, and Navagrahas.

Nagas are under the Sthala Vriksham, Bilva. Other trees in the temple are Shenbagam, Rudraksha, Vellerukku, Kondrai, Peepal, Iluppai, Vengai, Bamboo, Parai, Arali, Parijatham, Vanni, Mullai, Neem, and Mahizhamaram.

The temple's sculptures depicting solar and lunar eclipses and fish are on the ceiling of Artha Mandapam.

Specialty of Shri Aadhipureeswarar Temple

Shri Aadhipureeswarar Temple is a Parihara Sthalam for Rahu-Ketu Dosha. People from Chennai and in and around the city visit the temple during Rahu-Ketu Peyarchi for Dosha Nivarthi.

Benefits of Worshipping at Shri Aadhipureeswarar Temple

Devotees believe that Shanta Nayagi Ambal can mitigate problems in married couples. Hence, on Sri Kedara Gowri Viratham, couples throng the temple with Nivedyam.

Festivals in Shri Aadhipureeswarar Temple

Shri Aadhipureeswarar Temple hosts all Hindu festivals, such as Mahashivratri, Chitra Pournami, Tiruvadhirai, Pongal, Vinayagar Chaturthi, Navaratri, and Diwali, grandly every year.