About the temple
Lord Sundara Varadhar is the presiding diety of this very ancient temple. The temple is also called Chaturvedi Mangalam meaning that vedic chants could be heard all the time. The temple is a huge three tier structure similar to Thirukostiyur and Thirukoodal divyadesams. However it is interesting to note that in those divyadesams there is just one Lord while here there are four idols in first tier, four in second tier and one in third tier.
The temple is also called Pancha Varadha Kshetram as Lord Vishnu is believed to have given darshan to Pandavas here during their exile.
The temple is further known as nava murthy sthalam as this is the only Vaishnava temple with so nine idols of the Lord.
How to reach
The temple is about 85 kms from Chennai. After crossing Mamandur/ New Palar bridge/ Andal Azhagar college on the GST -about 65 kms, take a right to Uttiramerur. There is also a board showing directions to Uttiramerur and Tenangur.
One can combine a trip to Tenangur and Uttiramerur temples to cover both in half a day's trip.
First tier -
Sundara Varadhar
Achuta varadhar
Aniruddha varadhar
Kalyana Varadhar
Second tier -
Vaikunta Varadhar
Nara Narayana
Yoga Narasimha
Lakshmi Varahar
Third tier -
Lord Ranganathar
Seperate sannadhis -
Anandavalli thayar
Andal
Specialty of the temple
The temple has a beautiful three tier structure and the famous Ashtalakshmi temple in Besant Nagar, Chennai is said to be constructed based on this temple structure with four idols of lord in the first and second tiers and one in the second tier.
The Lord appears in a different posture in each of the three tiers - Lord Sundar varadar standing posture in the first tier, Lord Vaikunta varadhar in sitting posture in the second tier and Lord Ranganathar in sleeping posture in the third tier.
The presence of Lord Shiva idol and Brahma in Lord Ranganathar's sannadhi is a unique feature in the temple.
The temple is open in the mornings from 7 am to 12 noon and in the evenings from 4 pm to 8 pm.
Temples in proximity
I have been to Tirukoshtiyur ,it is just 100 kms from my place. But the climb all the way up the tower set my head reeling.
ReplyDeleteI think I have lot to see around Chennai. Good info.
When we had been to Thirukoshtiyur, I could go only one level as other levels were to open late due to Kalyanautsavam and we had to catch our train...hope I get to see all of them once
ReplyDeleteAnother unique three tiered temple.Must have been a nice trip.
ReplyDelete