Velleswarar Temple, Mangadu

Velleswarar Temple is a Hindu temple located in Mangadu, a suburb of Chennai, India. This is a mid-size temple spread over 2 acres and is among the 3 principal temples in Mangadu – the other 2 being the Sri Kamakshi Amman Temple and Sri Vaikunda Perumal Temple. The temple is managed by the HRCE Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu. It is situated about 2 kilometers from Sri Kamakshi Amman Temple in Mangadu.

Mythology

The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and derives its name from being worshiped here by Sukra (Vellee in Thamizh) - the planet Venus as per Hindu mythology. Lord Sukra is the guru of the Asuras. Special poojas are hence offered by devotees on Fridays - the day dedicated to Venus. This temple forms part of the Navagraha temples around Chennai. Devotees offer white field beans (Mochai) as a special offering signifying the cereal in relation to Sri Sukra.

According to the legend, when Goddess Sri Kamakshi performed tapas here in Mangadu, Lord Shiva came down to earth to give darshan to Her and then marry Her. It is said that Sri Sukra worshipped Lord Shiva here. When Sri Kamakshi came here to have darshan of Lord Shiva, she saw Sri Sukra worshiping the Lord. The Goddess went back as She did not want to disturb the penance of Sukra.

Later, Lord Shiva directed the Goddess to come to Kanchipuram and married her there. As Sri Sukra worshipped Lord Shiva here, the Lord came to be known as Sri Velleeswarar and also as Sri Bhargaveswarar. This temple is Sukra Sthalam among the Navagraha Temples of Chennai (or Thondai Mandalam). Sri Sukra blesses people with wealth, prosperity, good family, vehicles, fame and social status.

The Temple

Maangadu Sri Velleeswarar temple is a very ancient and beautiful temple for Lord Shiva. The main deity here is Sri Velleeswarar. There is no Ambaal in this temple, as Sri Kamakshi Amman is present nearby.

The main deity of Sri Velleeswarar is huge and looks very grand, facing east. Lord Ganesha and Lord Muruga are seen at either side of the entrance of the sanctum. Lord Ganesha here is holding a Mango fruit in His hand and is called ‘Maangani Vinayagar’. The place Maangaadu itself had got its name as it was once a vast Mango forest. Lingothbavar is seen on the outer wall behind the sanctum. Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu are present on either side of Lingothbavar worshipping Him. There is a separate shrine for Sri Veerabadhrar behind the sanctum. Sri Veerabadhrar is said to have been created from the sweat of Lord Shiva in order to defeat Dhakshan who was the father in law of Lord Shiva.

Sri Subramanya's shrine is present at the north-west side of the outer praakaaram. Sri Subramanyar is beautiful and is seen with His consorts - Sri Valli and Sri Dhevasena. All the 3 deities are made of a single stone. Lord Muruga’s Vaahanam (carrier) peacock is present outside the shrine facing the shrine. A beautiful Nandhi is present outside the sanctum, facing towards west. It is said that people visiting Sri Kamakshi Amman temple should also have dharshan at Sri Velleeswarar temple and Sri Vaikunda Perumaal temple in Maangaadu, as all these three temples are interconnected with the history of Sri Kamakshi Amman.

The Temple sports no raja gopuram as was the case with the other 2 temples of Sree Kamakshi and Vaikunda Perumal – both of which the Raja Gopurams have been erected recently. On entering the temple one comes across the Bali Peeta or the sacrificial altar and Nandi mantapa. Further down the temple one can enter the Artha Mantapa (Central Hall) where there are idols of Lord Ganesha and Lord Subramanya installed just on the sides of the entrances to the Garbagriha. Here Lord Ganesha sports a mango fruit in his hands instead of the regular Modak which is signifies that this area was once a mango grove. The Idol of Lord Subramanya is a stellar piece of sculpture as the Lord and his consorts Valli and Devasena are carved out of a single stone.

Across from this one can enter the Maha Mantapa and see the Darshan of Lord Velleeswarar or Lord Sukreswara in the Linga form. The Lord himself is a 6 feet tall shivlinga sporting a square avudaiyar. This is the case with all Shiva temples where Sree Kamakshi is the presiding deity in the town.

Elsewhere in the Temple are the figurines of Lord Dakshinamoorthy and an exquisite Lingodhbhava and Sree Durga just after the Chandikeswara shrine. The temple also has separate shrines for Lord Ganesha, Lord Veerabhadra, Lord Subramanya as well as shrines for Lord Kasi Viswanatha and Lord Sundaresa along with their consorts Visalakshi and Meenakshi respectively.

The temple has a separate shrine for the Navagrahas as well. Friday poojas are considered auspicious in this temple.

How to Reach

Maangaadu is a small and pretty village located at the outskirts of Chennai city near Poondhamalli. While going from Chennai city on Mount Poondhamalli road, one has to take a left turn from Kumananchaavadi junction to reach Maangaadu. This temple is located very close to the well known Maangaadu Sri Kamakshi Amman temple. It is about 20 km from the city and reachable by bus,taxi, auto etc.

References

• "Sri Velleswarar Temple".