Mangadu is the holy place near Poonamallee at Chennai. Though it was a village earlier, it has developed into a small town. The place is adorned with lot of ancient temples. A few of the prominent temples in Mangadu is covered in this article.
Mangadu means mangrove, the garden of mango trees. As this place was abundant with such trees, the name happened.
Sri Kamakshi Amman Temple
This temple is ascribed for the worship of Sri Parvathi Devi who is hailed as Tapasya Kamakshi and Adhi Kamakshi in this temple.
As per the legend, when Bhagwan Shiv and Parvathi Devi were in Mount Kailash together, Parvathi Devi had playfully closed Eshwar’s eyes for a moment. Due to this, the whole universe became dark. Though it was done as a play, it resulted in misery to all.
To alleviate the occurrence, Bhagwan Shiv had asked Parvathi Devi to do penance to reach Him again. Accordingly, Parvathi had come down to this place and did penance on Panchagni. He had kept Her left big toe in the holy fire and resting the right foot on Her left foot. She did the penance standing in the fire on one toe and holding a japamala in Her hand.
Pleased with Her penance, Bhagwan Shiv had asked Her to come to Kanchipuram to marry Him. When Sri Parvathi Devi left for Kanchipuram, She had left Her penance fire as it was. This caused enormous heat.
Sri Adi Sankaracharya had visited this place and installed Ardha Meru Chakram having 43 triangular phases invoking Sri Parvathi Devi in the Chakram. The chakram is said to be made of right types of herbs. The installation of the chakram had doused the fire and the heat. During every Vijaya Dasami day, special abhishekam is done to the Chakram.
In this temple, puja to Sri Kamakshi Devi is also done as per tantrik rituals.
The temple is constructed as per Dravidian architecture. The seven-tiered Rajagopuram is in the southern side of the temple.
However, devotees normally use only the eastern side entrance from the market side. Soon on entering, we are blessed with the darshan of Ganapathi as Vara Siddhi Vinayakar in the left side.
The main sanctum is in the maha mandapam. We first get the darshan of Sri Ardha Meru Maha Yantra, the Chakra consecrated by Sri Adi Sankaracharya in the main sanctum. In the mandapam, we get the darshan of Sri Surya, Sri Bhairav and Sri Adi Sankara.
Archana to the chakra is done only with Kumkum.
There is another dedicated shrine for Tapas Kamakshi where Sri Parvathi Devi is depicted in penance doing form.
During perambulation, we are blessed with the darshan of Nava Kanyakas right behind the main sanctum.
The Dwajasthamba is at the eastern side of the temple.
The temple tank is in the northern side.
Devotees staunchly believe that visiting this temple and praying to Sri Kamakshi for 7 or 11 weeks (one day in a week) results in fulfillment of the wishes. They offer lemon to the Main Deity and get the other lemon from the sanctum to keep in their puja place at home.
The temple is open from 06.00 A.M to 01.30 P.M and from 03.00 P.M to 08.45 P.M. On Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays, the temple is open from 05.00 A.M to 09.00 P.M.
Gho Puja is done from 05.00 A.M to 05.15 A.M followed by Ushath kala puja at the same time. Kala Sandhi Puja is done from 09.00 A.M to 09.15 A.M followed by Saya Ratcha Puja from 06.00 P.M to 06.15 P.M, Artha Jama Puja from 09.00 P.M to 09.15 P.M.
The major festivals of this temple are Tamil New Year day, Chitra Paurnami, Vaikasi Visakam, Ani Thiru Manjanam, Adi Pooram, Nirai Mani on Purattasi Paurnami, Navrathri including Vijaya Dasami, Aippasi Annabhishekam, Deepavali, Karthikai Deepam, Arudra Darshanam, Thai Pongal, Thai Poosam, Masi Magam, Shiv Rathri and Panguni Uthiram.
On Paurnami days, Nava Kalasa Homam is conducted invoking Sri Kamakshi Devi in the Kalash. Pushpanjali is offered to Sri Chakra.
Lots of devotees throng the temple on all Fridays and Sundays.
Sri Velleeswarar Temple
This is one of the Navagraha temples of Chennai. This temple ascribed to Sukra Graha. The temple is very near Sri Kamakshi Amman temple.
Bhagwan Shiv had appeared as Sri Velliswara to Sri Kamakshi. He is also called as Sri Bhargaveshwar. Bhagwan Shiv has given re-vision to Sri Sukracharya at this place. This temple is also ascribed to venus graham. White mochai is the special Neivedyam of this temple.
It is ardently believed that worshipping Sri Velleswara would bring in wealth, prosperity and fulfillment of the wishes.
After Dwajasthamba and Balipeetam, Sri Nandikeshwar is facing Bhagwan Shiv in western direction.
The main sanctum is east facing and it is flanked by the small shrines for Sri Vinayaka and Sri Muruga on either side. Sri Vinayak is holding a mango fruit in His hand and is called as Sri Mangani Vinayakar.
Sri Sukreshwar who is hailed as Sri Velleeswar is in the form of six feet tall Shiv Ling and is placed on the square Avudayar.
Sri Lingodhbavar, Sri Brahma, Sri Dakshina Murthy, Sri Durga and Sri Vishnu are the koshta Devathas, viz., on the outer wall of the main sanctum. Sri Veerabhadra is in a separate shrine at the backside of the main sanctum.
In the inner prakaram, there are dedicated shrines for Sri Kasi Viswanath along with Sri Visalakshi, Sri Sundareshwar along with Sri Meenakshi and Sri Chandikeshwar.
In the north-west side of the outer prakaram, there is a dedicated shrine for Sri Subramanya. He is flanked by Sri Devasena and Sri Valli on either side. The trio Deities are carved out of a single stone. Sri Muruga’s vahan peacock is depicted in front of the shrine.
There is no separate shrine for Sri Parvathi Devi as She is in Kamakshi Amman temple.
The temple is open from 06.30 A.M to 01.00 P.M and from 04.30 P.M to 09.00 P.M.
Arudra Darshan in Margazhi (December-January), Karthikai Deepam in Karthikai month (November – December), all Mondays, Pradosham days, Masik Karthikai days, Masik Shiv rathri including Maha Shivrathri are the major festivals of the temple.
It is sincerely believed that praying to Sri Velleswara would alleviate eye related ailments.
The temple is situated at a distance of about 2 K.M from Sri Kamakshi Amman temple.
Sri Vaikunta Perumal Temple
This temple is ascribed to the worship of Bhagwan Sri Maha Vishnu. It is situated near Sri Kamakshi Amman temple.
The five tier Rajagopuram is east facing.
Here Perumal is in sitting posture alongwith His consorts Sri Devi and Bhu Devi. He is in the pose of guiding and enlightening Sri Thiru Kachi Nambi and Sri Ramanuja.
Sri Vishnu is seen holding prayoga chakra in His right hand and a wedding ring in His left palm signifying His readiness to marry off His Sister Sri Kamakshi Devi to Bhagwan Shiv. Sri Markandeya Maharishi is in meditation at the feet of Sri Vishnu Murthy.
Sri Garuda is facing Sri Vishnu.
The consort of Sri Vaikunta Perumal is Sri Kanaka Valli Thayar and Her Shrine is facing east. Sri Ram, Seetha and Lakshman are depicted in the temple.
There are dedicated Shrines for Sri Andal, Sri Chakrathu Alwar, Sri Hanuman and Sri Ramanuja.
The temple is open from 06.30 A.M to 12.30 P.M and from 04.30 P.M to 08.30 P.M.
Special pujas are done on all Ekadashi and Dwadashi days, Sri Rama Navami, Gokulashtami and New Year days.
The darshan timings of all the temples are subject to change during festival days.
The pilgrimage to Mangadu is said to be complete only if the devotee visits all the above mentioned three temples in a day.
Other prominent temples in Mangadu are Sri Vinayakar Temple, Sri Manthiyamman Temple and Sri Gangai Amman temple.
Mangadu can be reached by bus from any part of Chennai. Taxis / Autos can also be booked.
