THYAGARAJASWAMY TEMPLE - TIRUVOTRIYUR

THIRUVOTRIYUR

THYAGARAJASWAMY TEMPLE....!

The Adipurishwarar and Thyagarajaswamy Thiagarajaswamy Temple in Tiruvotriyur is more famously known as Vadivudai Amman Temple. The huge temple complex stands majestically in this bustling commercial and industrial area on the outskirts of Chennai.

The temple was originally built by the Pallavas and later rebuilt by the great king, Rajendra Chola I.The Chola kings, who were reigning in Thondainadu (this area), patronized the worship of Shiva. King Rajendra Chola rebuilt the central shrine of Adipureeswarar and a vimanam (dome) of black stone was added....

The uniqueness of this temple is that devotees from six sects of Hinduism perform poojas here. Followers of Shiva, Vishnu and Shakthi andUchavar, AdiSaivites and Namboodris (from Kerala) come to this temple and worship the manifestations of Shiva and Shakthi....!

Thiruvotriyur is about 10 kms from Chennai,the capital of Tamil Nadu. This temple is a Paadal Petra Sthalam, a holy place praised by the saint-poets of Lord Shiva...!

Vadivudai Amman Temple is one of the Tri-Shakti temples in Chennai. Goddess Vadivudai Amman represents Gnana Shakti (female power of knowledge). The other two temples are Melur Thiruvudai Amman Temple representing Iccha (wish granting) Shakti and Thirumullaivoyal Kodiyidai Amman Temple representing Kriya (action) Shakti. The practice is to visit all these three temples in one day on the full moon at dawn, noon and sunset.

Pattinathar or Thiruvenkadar, the famous Tamil saint-poet, lived and attained samadhi here. 
He is represented as a Shivalingam here. This place is also the birthplace of Kaliya Nayanar, one of the 63 Nayanmars or Shaiva saints.
The presiding deity is Aadhipureeswarar is in the form of a mud mound covered by an armour. On the day of the full moon of the Tamil month karthigai, the armour is removed and the representation of the god is visible to devotees. The Lord is anointed with punugu,javvadhu, and sampirani oils. There is a Durgashrine in the northern side of the temple. Inside the main temple complex - Just opposite to the main shrine we find the Nataraja shrine and in the koshta is the Ganapati Shrine. The Ganapati is known as Gunalaya Ganapati ( abode of bliss) and as we circumbulate the shrine we find the idol of Adi Shankara -just wee behind the main Shrine inside the Complex. We also find deities like Subrahmanya installed there...!

TheDakshinamurthy statue is in the Northern Koshta facing south and we come to the Sub complex Shrine of Kali. Adi Shankara is said to have installed a chakra to calm down the Devi and to make her Sowmya roopi( Calm and resplendent). To this day - a select group of Nampoothiri Families perform the pooja and aradhana to this Lord and Goddess as desired by Adi Shankara.

The name of the goddess at this temple is Vadivudaiamman alias Tripurasundari. The goddess is housed in a separate shrine inside the Temple complex. Other deities present in the temple include Thiruptheeswarar, Kuzhandhai Eesar, Jaganadhar, Annamalayar, Jambukeswarar, Nagalingar, Meenakshi, Sundareswarar, Sagasralingam, Amirthakandeesar, Gowrieeswarar, and Ekapaadhar. The twenty seven stars of Tamil calendar are believed to have worshipped Shiva in this temple.

The Nineteenth century Saint Shri Ramalinga Adigalar was a daily visitor to this temple during his younger days and has sung many poems in praise of this Lord. The other important Saint associated with this temple is Shri Topeswamy.