Velleeswarar Temple

Overview

Sri Velleeswarar Temple is situated at the R.K Mutt Road, in the South Mada Street of Mylapore,Chennai. The temple is quite near the Mylapore tank bus stop and is in close proximity to the Ramakrishna Math Ashram.

About The Temple

This mid sized temple has a five-tier Vimana facing the direction south. The shrine of Lord Ganesha in seen next to the entrance with the deity gracing together with his consorts Siddhi and Buddhi. Lord Ganashe here appears in the standing posture which is quite rare to witness. The main shrine houses the Shiv Linga of Lord Vellieswara, facing East. Mother Kamakshi graces from a separate shrine here which faces the direction south. One shall find the statues of the Saptamathrika's as we circumambulate the main shrine. Goddess Varahi is a much venerated deity in this temple. Lord Vishnu graces from a separate shrine and appears in the TriVikrama posture. His shrine is found just to the main Shrine of Lord Shiva. Lord Karthikeya graces from his shrine as Lord Muthukumaraswamy here, along with his consorts Valli and Devayani in a standing posture.

The temple’s outer prakara (courtyard) enshrines Lord Bhairava and on the left is Lord Sarabeshwara. A small shrine is found dedicated to Goddess Pratyankara Devi and Sage Sukracharya worshiping Lord Shiva in this outer prakara. Lord Shaneeswara and the Navagraha shrine are also located here. The temple’s Flag Staff also appears in the outer courtyard.

About The Deity

The presiding deity of Velleeswarar Temple is Sri Shiva who graces here as Lord Velleeswarar and goddess Shakti as Devi Kamakshi Amman.

Legend and Stories

History

The temple is believed to have been built some 300 years ago. A n inscription found at the temple mentions about the people charge of the temple between the years 1875 – 1995. It is said that Lord Ganesha was the first DeWitt to be consecrated here after which the other deities were gradually installed. This information might indeed be true since the first shrine that we come across on entering the temple is Lord Selva Vinayakarmahm Ganesha along with his wives Siddhi and Bhuddhi.

Legend

According to Hindu mythology, King Mahabali was the grandson of Prahladha. He was a noble and generous king. Despite being Asura by birth, the king was known for his righteous deeds and was liked by his subjects. By virtue of a boon that he got from Lord Brahma, he became powerful thereby conquering the three worlds. On the advice of his Guru Sukracharyar, the king performed the Ashwameda Yaga to become the undisputed Lord of all the worlds.

As time passed the king became too boastful of his generosity and thus Lord Vishnu decided to teach him a nice lesson. Lord Vishnu incarnated as Vamana, the eight year old son of Saint Kashyapar and Aditi. His face had the thejas (the divine glow) and appeared holding a Kamandalam (a small jug with a hose having water) in his hand. He confidently entered the yagasalai, where the 100th Ashwameda yaga was being performed by King Mahabali as per Guru Sukracharyar's instructions. On seeing the Vamana enter, King Mahabali immediately performed pada puja (perfoming puja to one’s feet) as a mark of respect. It was a belief in the olden days that Brahmins should be pleased in order to receive their blessings for the successful performance of Yagas. Thus accordingly the king offered Vamana to ask for some wish. The Vamana in turn wanted three foot of land for which the king immediately agreed. Traditionally, when a promised is made, water is usually offered from the Kamandala for sanctifying it. Similarly, the king tried offering water from Vamana’s kamandalam (Jug) to fulfill his wishes but Guru Sukracharyar, knowing that the boy was none other than Lord Vishnu, entered the kamandalam as a bee to prevented the water from flowing down. Vamana (Lord Vishnu) knowing the ill intentions of Sukracharya, immediately pierced the Kamandalam with his dharbai (a grass used be Brahmins for Puja) whch hurt the bee's (Guru Sukracharyar's) eye. This the guru lost vision in one of his eye and came out of the Jug. Vamana then took the Trivikrama Avatar (one foot on land, another on heaven and third foot on King Mahabali's head, who willingly offered the same) and sent the boastful King Mahabali to the Pathala Lok (underworld), thereby teaching him a nice lessons. Realizing his mistakes, the king rendered his wholehearted apologies to the Lord. Moved by his devotion, Lord Vishnu blessed him to be the next Indra. King Mahabali also requested the Lord to let him meet his people once a year, on the same day when Lord Vamanan was born. This festival is widely celebrated as the Onam festival in the State of Kerala.

After getting punished by the Vamana, Guru Sukracharyar prayed Lord Shiva at several holy kshtras (places) and finally came down to Mylapore, which was then only a jungle. He is said to have performed a severe penance there. Lord Shiva who wad pleased by Guru Sukracharyar's penance, returned back his eye sight. Thus Sukracharyar regained his vision at this Velleswarar temple at Mylapore, Chennai.

Festivals

The annual brahmotsavam is celebrated here in the month of Vaikasi (between May 15 and June 15) The 8th day of this Tamil month marks the event of Guru Sukracharyar getting back his eye sight. The idols of Trimorthies (Lord Brahma, Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu as Vamanan) along with idols of King Mahabali and Sukracharyar would be brought as procession. A stage is set up near the temple where the play is enacted. An Oduvar (person, nominated by the temple for singing Gods songs), recites the hymns of Tirumurai which signifies the restoration of Sukracharyar’s vision. Finallt, Deeparathanai is performed indicating the conclusion of the event.

How To Reach Mylapore

Airport

The nearest airport is the Chennai Airport which plies numerous flight to many major destinations around the world.

Railways

Thirumayilai Rail Way Station , Mandaveli Rail Way Station are the very nearby railway station to Mylapore. However, the Chennai Central Railway Station is the major railway station which is about 6 KMS from Mylapore.

Road

Mylapore is located at the heart of Chennai and is well connected to other parts of the city including Chennai Central, T. Nagar, Tambaram, Broadway through frequent and regular bus services

Temple Address

Valleeswarar Temple,
25, TSV Koil Street, Sankarapuram,
Mylapore, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, Pincode - 600004.