IMG_0832, Nandeeswarar Temple, Nandivaram, Guduvanchery, Kanchipuram
IMG_0832, Nandeeswarar Temple, Nandivaram, Guduvanchery, Kanchipuram

Nandeeswarar Temple, Nandivaram, Guduvanchery, Kanchipuram

Date built: –
Deity: Nandeeswarar
Architectural style: Dravidian architecture
Major festivals –
Locale: Nandivaram, Guduvanchery
District:: Kanchipuram
Address: –
Phone –
 The Nandeeswarar Temple is located in Nandivaram, Guduvanchery in Chennai suburb in Kanchipuram District of Tamilnadu. The temple is half a km away from the Guduvanchery bus terminus. The Nandeeswarar Temple is dedicated to Nandeeswarar and Mother is known as Soundara Nayaki. Nandivaram is a small settlement in Guduvanchery town. Guduvanchery is located at a distance of around 35 km from Chennai. This temple is very ancient Thevara Reference Temple. Built by Pallava Emperor Nandivarman in 715AD, the temple is worshipped by Palli.
There is a mountain to the south of the Thiruporur Road from where one can have the full view of Nandivaram-Guduvanchery and surrounding localities. During clear visibility in summer season, the view can be extended. There is a lake which is called “Nandivaram Periya Eri” which wide spreads and extends up to nearby village “Kattur” which can be reached from Nandivaram along the North side bunds of the lake. This is a major water catchment area and source of irrigation for the (now gone) agriculture lands in Nandivaram.

Architecture

Legend / Local stories

As per the legend, Lord Brahma advised to churn the celestial sea to obtain “Amrutham” which would help devas to become immortal. Devas, unable to churn the sea alone with Manthara Mountain and Vasuki sought the help of Asuras. In the beginning, poison came out of the sea. Lord Shiva took the poison himself and saved this universe. At the end of the churning, Dhanvanthari appeared with Amrutham pot in his hand.

After the brief quarrel with Asuras, devas were able to retrieve the pot and consume the Amrutham. The devas started singing, dancing and enjoying after having Amrutham, and they totally forgot Lord Shiva due to who they were alive. After some time, they realized their mistake and apologized to Shiva. Lord Shiva forgave them and danced in the middle of his vahanam (vehicle) Nandi’s (bull) horns, and hence he got the name Nandeeswarar.

The Nandeeswarar Temple is an ancient temple. In fact, the place itself gets its name from this temple. This temple is believed to be built during Pallava period. The temple remains unknown not only for most of the people in Chennai, but even to those who live in Guduvanchery. The main deity of Nandeeswarar temple is Nandeeswarar. The idol of Nandeeswarar is big and attractive. It is facing east and located to the left side from entrance. The Main Sannidhi has a Vinayaka on the right and Murugan on the left.

The name of the Goddess is Soundara Nayaki, who is present in a standing posture at a separate shrine with a Simmam and Balipeedam. The Ambal is about 4 feet high. The koshta Vigrahas are as in any Shiva temple with Narthana Ganapathy, Dakshinamurthy, Mahavishnu and Brahma, Durga with Chandikeshwarar. Chandikeshwarar Sthuthi and Bhairavar Sthuthi are engraved here. There are separate shrines for Lord Ganesha and Lord Subramanya with his consorts Valli and Devasena.

There is beautiful statue of Lord Vishnu and an ancient idol of Nandi (bull) under the holy tree (sthala Vriksham). Sthala Vriksham is cannon ball tree (Nagalinga maram). This Vishnu Idol may be probably displaced from the Koshta during an earlier renovation. There is Navagraha Vigrahas at the right side of the Nandi. The Temple has a Tank (Kulam) on its east entrance and rituals are performed here during Mahalaya Paksha and other special occasions.

There are also other idols in the prakara (corridor surround the main deities) such as Ganesh, Shanmuga, another Ganesha, Dakshinamurthy, Vishnu, Brahma, Durga, Chandikeswarar, Surya, Bhairava and Veerabhadra. Even though the temple is old, it must have been rebuilt multiple times as there is not much sign of antiques in the temple except the idols and pillars.

Photo Gallery

How to Reach:

Nandivaram-Guduvancheri is a panchayat town located in Kancheepuram district in the Indian state of Tamilnadu. The temple is half a km away from the Guduvanchery bus terminus. Guduvanchery is located at a distance of around 35 km from Chennai. The temple is very easily reached from NH 45. After Kattankulathur as you enter Guduvanchery the area is called Nandivaram. There is a road to the left before the bus stand the road leads to the temple in a furlong. There is also a road adjoining the bus stand leading to Thiruporur. The road to the temple is the first left not the Thiruporur road.

Contact Details

Official Address

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