Singeeswarar Temple

Overview

The Singeeswarar temple is located in the village of Mappedu is 45 km from Koyambedu in Chennai on the Thakkolam road and 22 km from Poonamalle on the Perambakkam road. Mappedu is a small village located near Chennai city in South India. The nearest landmark to this village is Kadambattur. This tiny village has an ancient temple for Lord Shiva called as Singeeswarar. It was built by Aditya Karikala Chola, the elder brother of the great king Raja Raja Chola who constructed the most popular Brahadeeswara Temple at Tanjore.

About the temple

The Singeeswarar temple was built by Aditya Karikalan II in the year 976 AD. He is the father of Rajaraja Cholan who built the Thanjavur Big Temple. The Rajagopuram-Main Tower, compound wall and 16 pillar Mandap built in the year 1501 during Krishnadevaraya period. The sthala vriksham is Elandhai Tree. During Aarudhra darisanam (in the Tamil month of Margazhi) the fruit of Elanthai tree is included in the preparation of Pancha-amirtham during abhishegam to Natarajar.

About the Deity

Lord Shiva as Sri Singeeswarar graces the temple along with Goddess Pushpagujambal. This is a recently renovated ancient temple and is a special temple for people born in ‘moolam’ star. There is a vigraha of Sri Hanuman in front of Lord Singesswarar shrine playing the Veena, an ancient divine musical instrument of India. People, who seek skill in music, pray to him. There is an idol of Sri Anjaneya playing the Veena. Those aspiring skill in music pray to him in particular. Birth star of Anjaneyar is Moolam. It is notable that the birth star of Kalaivani-Saraswathi, the Goddess of Wisdom is also Moola. It is said that Mother Saraswathi wrote the Singanatha seed letters (Beejakshara – Beeja means seed, Akshara-letters) on the tongue of Sri Anjaneya with the stem of a lotus flower. This is believed to have given Lord Hanuman clarity in his speech and an aptitude to protect people in distress using tactics needed for the time. He is celebrated as Sollin Selvan in Tamil and Nava Vyakarna Pandit in Sanskrit. Moola people are advised to pray in this temple for gaining excellence in education and speech. There is a shrine for Sri Veerabaleeswara in the northeastern corner of the temple the dating back to 5000 years. It is believed that whoever worships the presiding deity and Nandhi (vehicle of Lord Shiva) simultaneously at Pradosham hours (4.30 p.m. to 6.00 p.m. each day) standing on the Nava Vyakarna stone, will be cured of all bone and joint related diseases. It is also believed that people would realize their wishes if they pray to Mother Durga for 42 weeks continuously by lighting lamp in the shrine. Sri Nandi Deva, the vehicle of Lord Shiva, also called Singhi, played the Mridangam, to the moves of the Lord at Tiruvalangadu, one of the five Sabhas identified with Shiva's Dance. Sri Nandi was totally immersed while playing the mirudangam, shutting his eyes, thus could not witness the dance. Hence he prayed to Lord Shiva to dance for him again. Satisfied with his sincere devotion, Lord Singesswarar asked Nandi to come to Meipedu, where he got a chance to witness the cosmic dance of Shiva. As Singhi-Nandhi revered in the spot, the spot is named as Singheeswaram and the Lord Singheeswarar. Goddess is revered for the sake of Pushpagujambal-Poomulainayaki identified with fragrant blooms. Mother Pushpagujambal is found in a separate shrine facing east. The mandapa of the ambal shrine has good sculptures.

Rare Facts

There is a stone near the Nandhi Devar and the Dwajasthambam, and it is a general belief, that if one stands on this stone, faceing north and prays to the Lord here, he will have get relieved of problems related to bone and knees.

Parihaara Sthalam

There is a symbol on the outer wall that shows a snake, and a disc, that signifies moon! This is a sign to denote that sthalam is a parihaara sthalam.

Festivals

Monthly Pradoshams and Mahashivaratri are celebrated in a grand manner apart from Arudra Darshan.

Pooja Timings

The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 10.00 a.m. and from 5.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m.

Thanks giving

Devotees perform abishegam and offer vastras to Lord and Mother. The belief is that a devotee will realize all his/her wishes if they light lamps worshipping Mother Durga in the temple continuously for 42 weeks.

Accessibility

Mappedu is 45 km from Koyambedu in Chennai on the Thakkolam road and 22 km from Poonamalle on the Perambakkam road.

Near By Railway Station

Chennai, Tiruvallur

Near By Airport :

Chennai