Aadhikesava Perumal Temple, Mylapore, Chennai

Aadhikesava Perumal Temple, Mylapore, Chennai

Architecture

Legend / Local stories

Birthplace of Peyazhwar:

The temple is believed to be the birthplace of Peyazhwar, one of the first three of the twelve Azhwar saints of the 6th-9th century AD. The legendary Azhwar was believed to have come to earth from the 60 ft. (18 m) well called Manikairavam inside the temple premises. One of the weapons of Lord Vishnu Nandakam the Sword, urged Mahalakshmi to preach the mantras. Mahalakshmi accepted on condition that the Sword must be born in the earth, worship Lord Vishnu and then she would teach.  Accordingly, Nandakam was born in the lily flower blossomed in the Manikairavam Theertham.  He was called Mahataahvayar.

He was performing the duty of garlanding the Lord every day and Lakshmi happily preached him. He came to be known as Peyalvar because of his immense bhakti to Perumal.  Pey means an elderly person. It is said that he was called so since he was the senior most Alvar.  Thirumalisai Alvar adopted him as his Guru and received his spiritual teachings (upadesam).  In the front mandapam of the Perumal’s sanctum Peyalvar is in a separate sanctum, seated and facing south.  Even now we can see the Manikairavam well where Peyalvar was born, at a distance near the temple. This was on a Dasami day (Sadayam asterism) of Aippasi in the year Siddharth of the Dwapara Yuga.

Bell Prayer:

Sage Bhrigu was in tapasya at the banks of Manikairavam Pushkarini, praying to beget Mahalakshmi as his daughter. Baby Lakshmi crawled in a flower at the pond, on a Panguni Uthiram day. He brought her up and when she attained marriageable age, the sage got her married to the Lord Himself. As the daughter to sage Bhrigu, she is called Bhargavi. She is in a separate sanctum at the right side of the Lord. Special homam is performed every Friday morning and she is worshipped with Vilva leaves by chanting the Srisuktam.

This is a very propitious time to worship Thaayar. The devotees pray to her with Vilva leaves to get relief of the impediments to marriage, to flourish in studies and remain healthy. They also worship her by placing two bells at her feet and then hang them on the door of the sanctum. The belief is that the bells ring and pray to Thaayar for their pleas. When their prayers are answered, once again they hang two more bells and thus complete their prayer and offering.

Sarva Theertham:

Chandran (Moon) worshipped this Lord to be relieved from a curse. The Lord appeared before him by making all the holy waters flood here. By taking bath in this water and worshipping the Lord Chandran got rid of his curse. The Lord asked all waters to stay back in this place. Since all waters are united and remained in the same place, it came to be known as Sarva Theertham, and because Chandran was eased out of his curse, it also got the name Chandra Pushkarini. Now, it is called Chitrakulam.

Maha Vishnu annihilated Demon Madhu here:

During Tretha Yugam, sages performed Yaagam at the banks of the Kairavini Pushkarini.  The demon Madhu disturbed them from conducting the Yaagam. The sages then, prayed to Lord Vishnu to kill this demon and allow them to perform the Yaagam.  Lord Vishnu appeared before them and promised them that he would kill the demon. He directed them to continue with the Yaagam and so did the sages. The demon came there as usual to impede their work. Lord Mahavishnu appeared from the Yaagam and annihilated the demon. Later, as per the sages request he remained in this holy place. He, in the name of Aadi Kesava Perumal now blesses us all.

People worshipped Lord Vishnu here:

Saint Bhrigu, Adhithyan, Soorya Kula King Sumanagan, Kabali and Chandran (Moon) worshipped Lord Vishnu here.

Mother gave alms to Bikshadana:

When Lord Shiva plucked the fifth head of the contumacious Brahma, the severed head got stuck in his hands. He was known as Kapali (the possessor of Kapala or skull). When Bhargavi offered grains to Brahma Kapala, the head disappeared, thereby relieving Lord Shiva of his distress. He made Mayurapuri his abode and assumed the name Kapaleeshwarar.

Kairavani Neerodai:

There was a rivulet that connected Triplicane and Mylapore several centuries ago. Since the origin of the river was at Kairavini Pushkarini it came to be called Kairavani Neerodai. The rivulet was full of fragrant flowers like lily and lotus. The other end of the rivulet was another holy pond which is now the temple tank of Lord Parthasarathy which is also called Kairavani Pushkarini.

Aadhi Kesavan:

Mention about this hallowed spot is found in Brindaranya Kshetra of Garuda Puranam. Once Mahavishnu mitigated the sufferings of Suryan who is also called Adhithyan. Since Kesavan blessed Adhithyan he is called Aadhi Kesavan. Aadhi also means first in the world. So many say this is the first.

Photo Gallery

How to Reach:

Aadhikesava Perumal Temple is located in Mylapore, Chennai very near to Kapaleeshwarar Temple, Srinivasa Perumal Temple and Velleeswarar Temple. The Temple is located at about 700 meters from Mylapore Bus Stop and 1 Km from Mylapore Railway Station. Mylapore is located a few kilometers to the south of the British-built Chennai city. It lies between Triplicane and Teynampet in the west then across to the coast in the east. It is bounded by Royapettah to the north. Its southern frontier corresponds roughly with that of the River Adyar.

It extends for around 4 km from north to south and 2 km from east to west. Mylapore is in the heart of Chennai city and is linked with local trains and bus facilities. Mylapore is located at about 5 Kms from Triplicane, 3 Kms from Teynampet, 2.5 Kms from Royapettah, 6 Kms from Adyar, 6 Kms from T Nagar, 3 Kms from Marina Beach, 3 Kms from Santhome, 3 Kms from Alwarpet, 5 Kms from Nungambakkam and 7 Kms from Kodambakkam.

By Road:

Mylapore is connected to other parts of the city by MTC buses, with connections including Chennai Central, T. Nagar, Tambaram, Broadway. Mylapore is located at about 10 Kms from Koyambedu Bus Terminus.

List of MTC bus routes covers through in and out of Mylapore;

By Train:

Thirumayilai Railway Station, on the Mass Rapid Transit System network, connects Mylapore to Chennai Beach to the north and Velachery on the south. Mylapore is located at about 9 Kms from Chennai Central Railway Station and 6 Kms from Egmore Railway Station.

By Air:

Nearest Airport is Chennai International Airport located at about 17 Kms from Mylapore.

Contact Details

Aadhi Kesava Perumal Temple,
Kesavaperumal Sannadhi Street,
Mylapore, Chennai – 600 004
Phone: +91 44 4204 0745 / 2464 3873 / 2494 3873
Mobile: +91 9444035591
Email: [email protected]
Web: sriaudikesavaperumalpeyalwartemple.org