Chennai Temple

Kapleeswarar Temple

Literary evidence in innumerable songs and hymns, reveal the existence of Mylapore Kapaleeswarar Temple many centuries before Christ. Historical accounts clearly indicate that Tiruvalluvar and Peyalwar lived in Mylapore which adds glory to this holy place.Mylapore was a well known sea port and trade centre even before 2000 years. St. Thomas, one of the twelve apostles of Christ visited this place in 2nd Century A.D. PTOLEMY, the Greek Geographer has mentioned it as "MALEARBHA".Original temple was at Sea-shore the place of which is now called Santhome Cathedral. The temple suffered demolition in 16th Century when Mylapore was captured by Portugese in 1566 A.D.

The fragmentary inscription from old temple are still found in St. Thomas Cathedral in the present temple and in surrounding places. The present temple rebuilt in Vijaynagar Tradition by making use of the ruims of old temple retains the glory of the past and continues to attract thousands of devotees and pilgrims from far and near.. The monuments erected by the Kings and philanthropic persons in the old temple have been utilised in the present temple.


Sri Parthasarathy Temple

n the Kurukshetra war Krishna served as the charioteer (sarathy) to Arjuna. To remind this, his right hand represents the ‘panchajanam Rishikeso’ and left hand vaikunda hastham pointing to feet indicates Dhanamuthra . The Moolavar “ sri venkatakrishnan his consort “sri Rukmini thayar” both facing east, his elder brother balarama on the right of Rukmini thayar facing north, younger brother ‘sathyaki’ at left side of moolavar, facing east and son pradyumnan, and the grandson Anirudhan on the northern side facing south in the garbagraham.

This is very rare congregation of the entire family of sri Krishna in one sannathi known as ‘Maanusha vasudeva’ as per the Agama. Still more grandeour and inspiring, is the bewitching and eversmiling. Utsava Deity - Sri pathasarathyswamy with marks in the face caused by the arrows of Bhishma Kurukshetra war. Hence, the Utsavar is called ‘ sri parthasarathyswamy’.

Bannari Mariamman Temple

People of past had witnessed the wonderful sight of tigers and cows quenching their thirst at the same spot of the river. Cowherds used to drive the cattle to the fields jeer for grazing. The cows fed on the grass found in plenty here. These cows were driven back to the stables at dusk.The cowherds used to extract milk form the udder of each cow and hand over the collected Milk to the owners of the cows. One particular cow did not allow the cowherd to get milk, nor did it allow its calf to go near it.Around 300 years ago, the dana Nayakkan or Dhandanyakkan forest you all know now its been called as “BANNARI”. This name Bannari for this great historical place origined because of the great temple “Bannari Amman Temple”.

Among the devotees who were there, one got into a trance. As a spokesman of the Deity he began to pass on the divine message to everybody. According to his words, it was understood that the deity safeguarded the traders from Kerala who passed by that way to Mysore to sell their goods carried by cows on their back. The deity was enamoured of the picturesque beauty of that place and she decided to stay on there to bless and protect the pilgrims. Moreover, she wanted a temple to be constructed there so that the people in and around that place would pray to Her in the name of Bannari Mariamman. Thus Bannari became the permanent abode of the goddess.

Vadapalani Temple

This temple is dedicated to Lord Muruga, worshipped as Lord of Tamil, by the people of Tamil Nadu. Although Lord Muruga in this temple has become very popular among the devotees, this temple is a full-fledged Siva temple with "Sanctum Sanctorums" for Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvathi, Lord Ganesh, in addition to Lord Muruga. Another God who is more popular.

There are very many sannidhis in the vast courtyards, like Varasiddhi Vinayaka, Chokkanathar, Mother Parvati, Kāli, Bhairava, Shanmuga with Valli and Devasenā, The moolavar in standing posture resembles the Palani Muruga in every respect. In the inner prakara, there are many niches housing Dakshina Murti, Chandikeswar, Mahalakshmi, et al. It has a spacious hall used for conducting marriages and religious discourses. It is one of the most-frequented Murugan shrines in the city of Chennai.