Arthanareeswarar Temple

Overview

Sri Arthanareeswarar temple is a Hindu shrine located at the Egmore locality of Chennai, Tamil Nadu. This temple is more than 500 years old and is primarily devoted to Lord Eashwara.

About the deity

The idols of Lord Vinayaka and Muruga are found outside the main sanctum sanctorum. The vigrahas of Lord Dakshinamurthi, Mother Durga and Chandikeswara are in the goshta wall. Separate shrines dedicated to Lakshmi Narayana Perumal and Sri Garuda Bhagwan are also seen within the temple.

About the Temple

The temple basically faces the direction east and has a spacious Maha Mandap, Bali Peeta and Nandhi Mandapam. Idols of Lord Vinayaka and Lord Muruga are found outside the sanctum. Lord Arthanareeswara signifies the form of Lord Shiva where Shiva and Shakthi are found in equal parts. Lord Ardhanareeshwara here is seen in the Linga form. Worshipping this Linga is said to be equivalent to worshipping the divine Lord and Mother (Shiva-Shakti together). The Shivalinga is quite big and is mounted on an Avudayar – Peeta of a radius of 3.5 feet.

Lord Arthanareeswara belongs to Satyo Jatham, facing west. Devotees worshipping this particular form of Lord Shiva is said to be blessed with everything that they desire in the present and future births. Worshipping Lord Shiva here is believed to be equivalent as worshipping him from other sacred kshetras, as this particular Shiva Linga is said have been brought from the holy abode of the Lord, the Mount Kailash.

Mother Tripura Sundari showers her blessings on her devotees from a separate shrine here, which is found to the left of the main sanctum of the Lord. This shrine is found facing the direction south. The Navagraha shrine (9 planetary gods) is located near the Devi’s shrine. To the right of the main sanctum is the shrine of Lord Lakshmi Narayana Perumal. Sri Garuda Bhagwan shrine is seen opposite to Perumal's. A shrine dedicated to Sri Anjaneya swamy is also found within the temple. The temple also has Utsava Moorthis (procession deities) for all deities present in the temple.

Legend and Stories

A couple of centuries back, an elderly person from this place is said to have arranged for cleaning the tank situated in his land. That is when the idols were found from within the tank. The idols were immediately cleaned and placed under a thatched roof for worship. A temple was built later for the deities. Since the deity was under water for quite a long period, he is also popularly known by the name Jalakandeswarar. The deity is also called Arthanareeshwara since worshipping this Shivalinga would amount to the joint worship of Shiva and Shakti.

Festivals

The auspicious day of Pradosham which falls twice every month and the sacred Maha Shivarathri are the most important festive days of this temple.

Significance

Devotees worship the deity seeking unity in family, removal of obstacles in matters such as wedding, child boon, health, etc

How To Reach Sri Arthanareeswarar temple

Road

The temple is located on the Poonamalle High Road, in the first street of Aravamudhan Garden near Dasaprakash bus stop.

Railways

The nearest Railway station is the Egmore station.

Airport

Temple Address

Sri Arthanareeswarar temple,
Gangu Reddy Rd, Egmore,
Chennai, Tamil Nadu - 600084.