Dhatreeswarar Temple, Sitharkadu, Thiruvallur

Dhatreeswarar Temple, Sitharkadu, Thiruvallur

Architecture

Prayers

Swati Starrers:

The temple is known to be particularly relevant to those born in Swati Nakshatra, with many benefits such as long life and the removal of obstacles associated with impending weddings. The sacred word Swathi has in it the combined graceful powers of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. The letter ‘Va’ is in Namasivaya Mantra. It also contains the sacredness of the seed letters in the names of Vishnu – Sundararajar, Vasudeva and Trivikrama. Swathi starrers are advised to worship in the Chithukadu temple filled with the combined grace of Shiva and Vishnu.

They are advised to offer curd rice Nivedhana with gooseberry pickle, tamarind rice and offer the same to the poor for a prosperous life. Those who have heart problems are encouraged to pray in the temple, lighting lamps with ghee and offering them to the Lord. Besides Swathi people generally worshipping for relief from adverse planetary effects, those facing obstacles in marriage proposals and those suffering from cardiac problems pray to Lord for solutions.

Marriage Parihara Sthalam:

Wedding worship is mainly followed in this temple. A king, while commencing the renovation of the temple, found the idol of Mother, named her Poonkuzhali and erected a shrine. Those facing obstacles in their marriage proposals, perform abishek to Lord with gooseberry powder, juice and seeds and milk to Lord and offer green vastras and bangles to Mother and light ghee lamps.

Prayers for longevity:

There are carvings of some Siddhas in the pillars ensuring longevity to devotees. Padukkai Jadamudi Siddha and Prana Deepika Siddhas are in the Nandhi shrine pillars.

Offerings:

Devotees perform abishek to Lord with gooseberry powder and juice and milk. They offer green vastras and bangles to Mother Poonkuzhali Thayar and light ghee lamps in her shrine. A number of garlands are offered. Devotees bring lot of flowers –in large quantities lotus, koovalam etc.

Legend / Local stories

Dhatreeswarar:

The Padukkai Jadamudi Siddhar and Prana Deepika Siddhar while meditating in this region installed a Shiva lingam under an Amla Tree because of which he came to be known as Dhatreeswarar.

Thirumanam:

The Padukkai Jadamudi Siddhar and Prana Deepika Siddhar created a beautiful garden here which gave sweet smelling flowers for the worship of the Lord because of which this place came to be known as “Thirumanam” – Holy Fragrance.

Poonkuzhali:

It is believed that the idol of Goddess was found in a flower garden and hence she was named as Poonkuzhali. The word ‘Poo’ means flower in Tamil. The Sanskrit name of Poonkuzhali is Prasunakundalambikai.

Siddhar Kaadu:

Since the place featured Siddhas who prayed and performed penance, the town, which was once dense in vegetation, came to be called Siddhar Kaadu, which means forests of the Siddhas. Later, the name became Chithukadu.

Siddhars association with this Temple:

Prana Deepika Siddhar is said to protect people from life threatening ailments and several people with chronic ailments are said to have prayed to him and become better. The Padukkai Jadamudi Siddhar can be seen with very long hair on which he is said to lie down in Yoga Nitra and move around saving people and protecting lives then and now.

On every Pradhosham days 2 owls come to the temple. After the Utsavar is taken inside they fly away. These 2 owls are believed to be Padukkai Jadamudi Siddhar and Prana Deepika Siddhar.

On Thiruvadirai Days a crow comes near the lamp and eats the ghee and fly away without disturbing anything. People believe that a Siddhar comes to worship in the form of a crow.

To the left of the temple a snake appears now and then and comes around the temple but does not harm anyone. People believe that a Siddhar comes for worship in the form of a snake.

Some villagers have felt Siddhars chanting Vedas on the right side of the temple.

Adi Shankara visit to this Temple:

Adi Shankara had visited the temple and worshipped the God and Goddess and his statue is also found inside the temple.

Veera Bhadra, as a guardian to the Siddhars:

Veerabadraswami is said to be in meditation here and serves as the guard for the siddhars and his idol is also worshipped with reverence.

Lord Kubera worshipped Lord Shiva here:

Lord Kubera worshipped at the sacred shrine situated at Sithukadu, the place of manifestation of abundance of wealth. He performed penance for thousands of years by standing on the toe of his right foot and worshiping with Nagalinga flowers to Dhatreeswarar. After performing Abhishekam with the essence of Emblic Myrobalan fruit, he worshipped Lord Maha Vishnu in Sundararaja Perumal Temple. Lord Kubera was granted the blessing to aid in the form of immense wealth to those worshipping with great devotion at this sacred shrine.

Sowgandhika Puram:

In the olden days, this village was in the form of a forest with a lot of Sowgandhika flower plants. Hence, it was called as Sowgandhika Puram.

Etymology:

It is believed that the village was originally called as Tirumandram or Harisaranalaya Nallur. Tirumandram has become Tirumanam nowadays.

Marriage Parihara Sthalam:

This temple is also famous for Wedding worship. It is strongly believed that by doing special Abishekam and pooja for the Goddess and the Lord would remove all the obstacles in the marriage. People who are seeking early marriage are advised to do Abishekam to Lord with Gooseberry Powder, juice and seeds, offer green vastras and Bangles to Goddess and light Ghee Lamps.

Photo Gallery

How to Reach:

The Temple is located at about 700 meters from Sitharkadu Bypass Bus Stop, 4 Kms from Vellavedu, 5 Kms from Pattabiram Railway Station, 7 Kms from Thiruninravur, 9 Kms from Poonamallee, 9 Kms from Avadi, 9 Kms from Thirumazhisai, 24 Kms from Thiruvallur, 30 Kms from Chennai Central Railway Station, 29 Kms from Egmore Railway Station, 27 Kms from Chennai Airport and 29 Kms from Chennai.

While travelling from Chennai on the Chennai – Poonamallee Bypass. On the left-hand side, you will find a brewery and RRB Energy factory. On that signal, turn right. There is a Board which shows the direction towards Pattabiram before you turn right. Go down that not-so-good route for about 8 kms. You will come across a bridge being constructed and a board which says Sitharkadu. Take left there – you would be able to see the Rajagopuram from there itself. You could also go upto Thirumazhisai and turn right at Vellavedu and go down 4 kms to reach here.

Sitharkadu can be reached via Poonamallee, Tirumazhisai and taking a turn to right while going from Chennai. Shared auto-rickshaws are available from the back side of the Poonamallee bus terminus. Buses are also available for Sitharkadu from the Poonamallee bus terminus but they are infrequent. Sitharkadu can also be reached from Vellavedu which is around 4 Kms from there. Before the Vellavedu bus stop, the right turn leads to Sitharkadu. However, there are no buses or shared-autorickshaws in this route as of now.

Pattabiram is on the Chennai to Thiruvallur main road and also on the railway route. From Pattabiram at the end of the bridge on the south side Share autos are available up to National hi-way bridge. There are buses too upto Pattabiram from Koyambedu Bus Stand – M153 and from Poonamallee – M 54C which goes via Sithukadu. Nearest Suburban train station is Pattabiram from where one can take a share auto. Share autos are available up to bridge and from there can be reached through a small walk.

Contact Details

Dhatreeswarar Temple
South Mada Street, 1/144,
Thirumanam Village, Via Pattabiram,
Vayalanallur Post,
Thiruvallur – 600072
Mobile: +91 93643 48700 / 93826 84485 / 9445603942
Mobile: +91 9444562335 / 9444793942