The Adipureeswarar Temple located in Tiruvotriyur, Chennai, is a well-known and ancient temple of significant historical and cultural importance. It has been extolled in the Thevara hymns sung by the trio of Appar, Sundarar, and Sambandar. Tiruvotriyur, being a suburban area within Chennai, is easily accessible through various modes of public transportation. The name 'Adi', pronounced as 'aadhi', denotes the temple's ancient origins, indicating its existence since time immemorial. The deity worshipped in this temple is known as Adhipureeswarar. According to ancient lore, during a period of global dissolution known as 'pralaya', Brahma, the God of creation, prayed to Lord Shiva, who, with his divine powers, created a fiery ball of heat that evaporated the floodwaters. This ball of fire then manifested as a Shiva Linga, and the deity came to be known as 'Adipureeswarar.' Another captivating legend associated with this temple suggests that Lord Shiva, at this very place, transformed into a snake pit and absorbed the serpent Vasuki within himself. Due to this event, he is also referred to as 'Otreesar.' The Shiva Linga in the temple, made from the mud of the snake pit, is enclosed within a box-like structure throughout the year except for three days during the full moon day of the Tamil month Karthigai. During these three days, devotees from far and wide gather at the temple to witness the deity without the shroud. The special poojas performed during this time are considered very auspicious.
Significant incidents that took place at this sacred site -
- Sundarar's marriage to Sangili Nachiyar. The marriage happenned beneath a "magizha" tree.
- The Ramayana was written at Thiruvottiyur by the Tamil poet Kambar. Only after worshipping Vattaparai Amman would Kambar begin composing the Ramayana. Vattaparai Amman, who helped Kambar write the epic, assumed the guise of a common lady, a torchbearer.
- One of the locations where Sage Agasthya witnessed Shiva and Parvathy's celestial marriage. Shiva manifested as "kalyana Sundarar" to Sage Agasthya at this location.
- Kaliya Nayanar, one of the 63 shaivite Saints attained salvation at Tiruvotriyur.
- Pattinathar attained Salvation.
- It was here Devi Vadivambikai fed Ramalinga Adigalar.
The temple boasts a majestic 'Rajagopuram', standing tall with its five tiers oriented towards the east. The gateway leads to a spacious outer 'prakaram'. The sannidhi of the female deity "Vadivudai Amman" is located to the right in the eastern prakaram. Further up, we can make out numerous other east-facing sannidhis of Kuzhandai Eeshwar, Vinayaka, Navagraha, and Balasubramanya. Annamalayar and 'Otreesar' occupy the north-western and south-western corners of Prakaram. Standing between these two corner sannidhis are Jambulingeshwar, Nagalingeshwar, Kalathinathar, and Meenakshi Sundareshwar. Bhairavar and Kalyana Sundarar's sannidhis are located on the northern prakaram. The sannidhi of Bhairava is north-facing and is portrayed without his 'vahana' the dog. The 'sthala vruksham' 'Magizha' under which Sundarar got married is also in this northern-prakaram.
Kalyana Sundarar - The earth's North/South balance was upset during the celestial marriage of Shiva and Parvathy at Kailash due to the combined weight of everyone who had come to witness the union. Shiva told Sage Agasthya to go south in order to rebalance. The sage was reluctant to leave, as he did not want to miss witnessing the celestial union of Shiva and Parvathy. Knowing the sage's predicament, Shiva promised the sage that he would be able to see the wedding from anywhere at any time. True to his words, Shiva manifested as "kalyana Sundarar" to Sage Agasthya, when he wanted to see the wedding at this location.
See also:- Places visited by Sage Agasthya in his journey to south - 1) Kutralam, 2) Tirupanankattur, 3) Tirukallil, 4) Tiruverkaadu, 5) Tiruvanmiyur, 6) Achirupakkam
The entrance to the sanctum of the presiding deity 'Adipureeshwar' is from the southern-prakaram. Thyagarajar Sannidhi is beside this entrance. The sannidhi of Vatta Parai Amman is in the circum-ambulating path around the sanctum. An exit opposite this sannidhi lead to the northern-prakaram.
Thyagaraja - Tiruvotriyur is one of the seven temples in thondai naadu which houses a sannidhi for Thyagaraja. Here Thyagaraja perfomed his 'Ananda Thandavam' and he is known as 'Ananda Thyagesar'
Vadivudai Amman - There are three temples in chennai dedicated to different forms of the goddess Shakti — Thiruvudai Amman-Ichcha Shakthi, Vadivudai Amman-Gyana Shakthi and Kodiyudai Amman—Kriya Shakthi, stand out for their spiritual significance. It is considered auspicious to see all on the same day , especially on a full moon day & if possible on a full moon day which falls on a Friday. Thiruvudai Amman, Vadivudai Amman and Kodiyidai Amman are said to have been sculpted by the same artist, reflecting a similar divine form. The goddess Vadivudai Amman at tiruvotriyur is worshipped as Gnana Shakti, the goddess who bestows wisdom and knowledge upon her devotees.
Tiruvotriyur is one of the 44 Shiva temples where 'pathikam' were sung by the Trio - Thirunavukkarasar, Thirugyanasambandar and Sundarar. There are a total of 8 Pathikams; Tirunavukkarasar - 5, Gynasambandar - 1, Sundarar - 2.
The temple is graced by the presence of the 27 star constellations, which are believed to bestow their blessings upon the devotees as they come to worship the deity. A significant practice at this temple involves worshiping the respective Linga on the birth day of the corresponding zodiac sign. Notably, the southern outer prakaram is adorned with 27 'Nakshatra Lingams', each holding its own significance.
Sundaramurthi Nayanar was previously wed to 'Paravai Nachiyar' in Tiruvaroor. Subsequently, Sundarar commenced his pilgrimage to various temples devoted to Lord Shiva. Upon reaching Tiruvotriyur, he met Sangili Nachiyar and they resolved to marry. Prior to their union, Sangili Nachiyar took a commitment from Sundarar that he would never be separated from her, and only after Sundarar gave his assurance, did she consent to marry him. Their nuptials were to take place in the presence of God Shiva as a witness. However, Sundarar had no intention of remaining in one location as he aspired to journey and visit other Shiva temples. Unwilling to have Shiva witness his marriage, as he knew he would not uphold his vow to Sangili Nachiyar, Sundarar beseeched Lord Shiva to relocate from the main shrine to the 'Magila' tree. Nevertheless, Shiva cleverly appeared in Sangili's dream, instructing her to ask Sundarar to make his vow near the tree. Consequently, Sundarar had to pledge his marriage vows in front of the Magila tree, where God was present. As a repercussion of violating his marital pledge in Shiva's presence, Sundarar lost his sight in both eyes upon departing Tiruvotriyur. Sundarar regained his vision at Kanchipuram. See also Tiruvenpakkam, where Sundarar sang a pathikam and was gifted with a support stick.
The sculpture of Ekapathamurthy adorning the southern wall around the sanctum is a captivating sight. Its exquisite details and masterful craftsmanship make it a must-see for all visitors. The temple mandapam showcases pillars embellished with inscriptions dating back to the reigns of Chola Kings Parakrama Chola I and Uttama Chola, offering valuable historical insights and enriching the cultural significance of the temple. A notable feature of this temple is the presence of 108 sivalingams meticulously arranged and holding profound spiritual significance for devotees. The festival celebrated during the Tamil month of Masi, falling between February 15th and March 15th, stands as the highlight of this temple.
Main Tower
Another View
Vadivudaiamman
Navagraha
Subramanya
Kalyanasundarar
Ekapathamurthy
The Sacred Tree