Hello Friends,
So we who are fond of visiting ancient temples and admiring their architectural beauty know that Mangadu is famous for Sri.Kamakshi Amman Temple. But do you that there exists a Shiva temple that is quiet, ancient and elegant? It’s barely five minutes (2 kilometers) from the Mangadu Kamakshi amman temple. I was pleasantly surprised when we discovered this temple that was pretty large and full of trees. It certainly is a temple steeped in tradition and dedicated to Sri Velleeswarar (Shiva Lingam) that is huge and grand and is facing the east.
We gather that there is no Ambal sannidhi as Kamakshi is the ruling goddess of Mangadu. That said, there are other gods such as Lord Ganesha and Lord Subramanya. There is a beautiful open to sky ShivaLinga at the side of the temple and it indeed makes a marvelous sight. Also learnt an amazing fact that it is best to avoid clapping hands in front of the Chandikeshwarar statue, apparently he is the guardian of Lord Shiva’s belongings and is in meditation. So the noises we create are only disturbing his penance.
The next time you visit Mangadu, don’t miss the Velleswarar Temple as there is no crowd so you can freely walk in and enjoy the silence and pray fervently.
A magnificent ShivaLingam in the open courtyard
Yet another view of the ShivaLingam looking resplendent in the evening sun
The perpetual Nandhi just outside the main sanctum of Lord Shiva
The 9 Navagrahas within the temple precints
An interesting fact related to Lord Chandikeshwarar
Lord Ganesha adorning the side walls of the temple
Goddess Durga looking bright and colourful
The large walkways of the temple
Useful Links
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velleswarar_Temple,_Mangadu
http://temple.dinamalar.com/en/new_en.php?id=445
Cheers
Bhuvana Rajaram
