Nallinaikeshwarar Temple and Adhishtanam of Shri Vyasachala mahadevendra of Kanchi mutt

Overview

The Nallinakkeswarar Temple is located at Ezhichur, a suburban area around Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. The temple lies approximately 3 km from the Ezhichur bus stop. Ezhichur comes next to Oragadam Koot Road bus stop in the Tambaram- Walajabad route.

About The Temple

Mother Shrine

Sri Deivanayaki Ambal graces from a separate shrine to the left of the main sanctum facing the south. Her shrine is located to the right of the Maha Mandapa. The goddess graces her devotees in the standing posture. Her vigraha (idol) looks so realistic that it gives us a mesmerizing feel. She is said to shower her abundant blessings on those who worship her wholeheartedly. People facing delays in marriage place the sacred yellow thread at her divine feet (thali), light three ghee lamps and pray the Devi. After worshipping the goddess they customarily tie the yellow thread in the female palm tree (one of the sacred trees) of the temple. It is believed that the wedding of the those who perform the above mentioned ritual will be conducted within 90 days. Childless couple seeking child boons should light a ghee lamp in the other sacred tree of the temple called the Erenjil and also light 21 ghee lamps in the Mother’s shrine and perform arachana for the deity.

Murugan Shrine

Lord Muruga graces here along with his consorts Valli and Deivanai from a separate shrine found opposite to goddess Deivanayaki Ambal. The deity is seen sitting on his divine peacock vahanam with one leg folded and one touching the ground. The statue of the deity is monolithic. The Lord blesses his devotees with two hands while his other 10 hands hold various weapons.

Navagrahams

The Navagrahas are seen with their Vahanams while a few appears damaged.

Vazhithunai Vinayagar

There is a Vinayaka temple on the right called Vazhithunai Vinayakar near the entrance.

Rajo Guna Nandhi

In front of Vazhithunai Vinayagar shrine is the unique Raja Guna Nandhi. The Nandhi here is said to be quite an unique one that has carvings of beautiful ornaments and clothing adorning it. One of the forelegs is folded backwards while the other is stretched. Of the hind legs, one is folded while another leg goes beneath its stomach and this leg is seen jutting out on the other side. Similarly the tail goes underneath the belly and stretches out on its left side.

Nandhi Deva is seen wearing elaborate ornaments around his neck. He is adorned with garlands made of Rudraksha, an Iron chain, (Salangai) and a garland made of bells. He is also seen having a Nethi Chutti (an ornament meant for forehead) hanging on his forehead. An artistically carved Vasthram (shawl) covers his body and an ‘Ottiyaanam’ (hip ornament) adorns his hip. The Yaazhi is beautifully sculpted just above the legs.

This Nandi sculptures has been intricately crafted that even the teeth of the Nandhi is so accurately sculpted. Nandhi appears in the ‘Pranayama Kolam’ (doing breathing exercise). Also the ears of the Nandhi are sculpted sharply in an unusually erect shape. It is said that the Nandikeswarar here is in the posture of doing Pranayama and listening to the Gayathri Manthra

Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Swamigal of Kanchi mutt had once visited this temple and was in awe for the unique and beautiful Nandhi found here. He had also mentioned that he hasn't seen such a beautifully sculpted Nandhi anywhere else in the world. Thus, the Nandhi sculpture here garners much admiration and stands proof to the architectural brilliance of ancient Tamils.

Sthala Vrikshams

Three Sthala Vrikshams ( sacred temple trees) are found in this temple. ‘Pen Panai Maram’ (female Palm tree) is found behind the sanctum at the western side while the ‘Vilvam’ is found at the southern side. ‘Eru Azhinjal tree’ (Angola tree) which is considered most sacred and medicinal is another Sthala Viruksham founfd here on the south east side of the main sanctum. The palm tree behind the Adhishtanam of Shri Vyaasaachala Mahadevendra Saraswathy will not grow taller than the temple, as seen in the last 3 generations, according to Shri. Ramamurthy, a Trustee.

Theerthams

Thu temple pond is called the ‘Kamala Theertham’ which covers a large area. This water from this pond is said to possess medicinal properties. Few steps are built around it, to enable the devotees to get down the pond and have a holy dip. Hollow carvings are also found on both sides of the stone steps, to pour oil and light the lamps during festivals. An image of a Sarpam is carved on the Pond’s steps to which Abhishekam is performed. This is believed to relieve the devotee of any existing Sarpa Dhosha. Lord Surya is believed to have built this temple pond here when he had come to worship Lord Shiva at this temple.

Adishtanam of Vysachala Maha Devendra Saraswathi Swamigal

The Adishtanam of the 54th pontiff of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam His Holiness Sri Vysachala Maha Devendra Saraswathi Swamigal is located in this temple. It is located at the south west of the sanctum. The idol of Sri Chandramouleeswarar (Lingam) is also found in the temple which was originally found placed on the Adhishtaanam. Few bricks and lamps are placed at this place to identify it.

Vishnu Shrine

Lord Mahavishnu graces here along with his consort Sridevi and Boodevi nachiyars in a shrine just behind this temple. Sri Anjaneya and Sri Garuda Bhagwan are also present in the temple.

About The Deity

The Nallinakkeswarar Temple is primarily dedicated to Lord Maheshwara who graces here as Nallinakkeswarar while the Divine Mother Shakti graces as Goddess Deivanayaki. The Lord here appears as a 2.5 feet tall Shiva Linga that is seen mounted. This ancient temple is getting renovated new with many other deities newly consecrated.

Legend and Stories

King Veera Narasimha (born to the royal couple Narasa-Tippaji) of the Vijayanagara dynasty is said to have donated some villages including Ezhuchur to the 54th Pontiff of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam His Holiness Sri Vysachala Maha Devendra Saraswathi in the year 1429. This information finds mention in a copper plate document that was found here many years ago. It is also believed that Sri Maha Devendra Saraswathi swamigal stayed at this temple and attained Jeeva Samadhi (salvation). The Jeeva Samadhi of the Acharya lies behind the shrine of Lord Nallinakka Easwarar. His Holiness Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi Swamigal , fondly called the Maha Periyaval of the revered Kanchi Mutt, visited this place upon learn in about its sanctity. Wen he saw the temple in a bad condition, he at once deputed few of his disciples to analyze and make appropriate renovation works. He is also believed to have elaborated the temple’s association with the Mutt and asked his devotees to find out the estimated cost of renovating the shrine. Despite the sincere sincere efforts from the part of the acharya, his dreams of renovating this holy temple dint materialised in his life time due to unknown reasons. The temple once had a tall and majestic Rajagopuram with the village of Ezhuchur housing nearly 400 Brahmin families. A number of people from several other places uses to throng this historic temple, which now needs immediate attention.

Festivals

The monthly Pradoshams and the annual Shivrathri celebrated in the month of February-March are the major festivals observed in this temple.

Significance

Devotees offer prayers to the divine Lord Naalinakka Easwarar seeking ever lasting love ands understanding between husband and wife. They also wish for having a peaceful and friendly atmosphere awitht home wit family, friends aand relatives. It is to be noted that the word Nallinakkam in Tamil literally means mutual co-operation with one another. Singers pray the Lord seeking a sweet voice by offering abishek to the deity with milk and honey. People facing Sevvai (Mars) dosha worship Lord Muruga here seeking relief.

How To Reach Sri Nallinakka Eswarar Temple, Chennai

Airport

The nearest Airport is the Chennai airport.

Railways

The closest railway station is Tambaram station near Chennai.

Road

Ezhuchur is 28 kms away from Tambaram, Chennai. Autos or cabs may be hired to reach the temple.

Temple Address

Sri Nallinakka Eswarar Temple,
Ezhichur, Chennai,
Tamil Nadu, Pincode – 631605.