Nootreteeswarar Temple, Chinnakavanam, Thiruvallur
| Date built: | – |
|---|---|
| Deity: | Nootreteeswarar |
| Architectural style: | Dravidian architecture |
| Major festivals | – |
| Locale: | Chinnakavanam |
| District:: | Thiruvallur |
| Address: | Nootreteeswarar TempleChinnakavanam, Ponneri,Thiruvallur District – 601204 |
| Phone | +91 44 2797 3061 |
Nootreteeswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Chinnakavanam Village near Ponneri in Thiruvallur District of Tamilnadu. This is a very ancient temple with an interesting story and sthalavruksham which adds antiquity to this temple. The temple itself is very small and neat but the legends and the Angola tree (Eru Azhinjal in Tamil) add to the sanctity of the temple. This is the birth place of Ramalinga Adigalar’s mother.
Architecture
Legend / Local stories
Two Presiding Deities:
In olden days this place was called Chathurvethapuram and the main deity is called Chadurvedeeswarar with Goddess Sivagami Ammai. On his way to Kasi, Sage Agasthya came here to worship Chadurvedeeswarar when he got the divine message that worshipping a Shivalingam under the Eranzhil tree here for 108 days will be equivalent to going to Kasi. So, he created a lingam every day with the sand of the nearby Brahma Aranya river and worshipped them for 108 days.
But on the final day, all the 108 lingams merged themselves into a single Vinayaka idol for the simple reason that he did not start the worship with Vinayaka as per custom. Then Lord Shiva gave Dharshan to Agasthya in the form of Vinayaka. The 108 lingams which got merged into a Vinayaka are present under the Eranjil tree in the name of Ankola Ganapathy. In spite of many hundreds of years of exposure to nature’s elements the sand made Vinayakar is still looking fine.
Since all his 108 lingams got merged into a Vinayaka, Agasthya then installed another lingam called Nootreteeswarar which is considered equivalent to the original 108 lingams. In the sanctum sanctorum we can see both Nootreteeswarar and Chadurvedeeswarar in the form of lingams in separate shrines. Also, there are two Nandhis for the two lingams.
Sage Agastya built 108 temples on the banks of Kuchasthalai River:
As per another legend, the sage Agastya emptied the oceans to reveal the demons lead by Vritrasura. It enabled the Devas to find and kill them. However, a lot of living beings in the ocean lost their lives without water. Due to this sin, the sage got severe stomach pain. He approached Lord Subramanya in the site called Thiruthani. He advised the sage to construct 108 temples for Lord Shiva to get rid of his pain. He created a river called Kuchasthalai river and built 108 temples on the banks of that river. It is said that Nootreteeswarar temple in Chinnakavanam is the 108th temple.
Temple Opening Time
The Temple remains open from 9.00 AM to 12.00 Noon and 4.00 PM to 7.00 PM. The priest lives nearby and he will open temple at any time on request.
Festivals
Chithirai Brahmmotsavam in April-May, Mahasivarathri in February-March, and Margazhi Tiruvadhirai in December-January are the major festivals celebrated in this temple.
Prayers
The Angola Ganapathy grants the wishes for his devotees. After the wish is fulfilled, it is a custom here to offer Vada malai (54 to 108) to him. Normally Vada malai will be offered only to Anjaneyar and possibly this is the only place where Vada malai is being offered to Vinayaka. People, who want to get married, worship the Goddess on a full moon day with a rose garland for continuous 3 full moon days to get their wishes sanctioned.
Photo Gallery
How to Reach:
The Temple is located at about 500 meters from Chinnakavanam Bus Stop, 1.5 Kms from Ponneri, 3 Kms from Ponneri Bus Depot, 2 Kms from Ponneri Railway Station, 9 Kms from Thatchoor, 10 Kms from Thirupalaivanam, 14 Kms from Minjur, 18 Kms from Pulicat, 8 Kms from Perumbedu, 17 Kms from Gummudipoondi, 51 Kms from Thiruvallur, 39 Kms from Chennai and 51 Kms from Chennai International Airport. Chinnakavanam is located to the east of Ponneri touching the Ponneri town en route Pulicat.
When you take the Kolkata highways, you will come across the Karanodai bridge and immediately after, the Tollgate. Go beyond that in the same direction till Thatchur Cross road and turn right (east) towards Ponneri. After crossing the Ponneri town continue towards Pulicat and you will encounter the Rail under-bridge first and then a road bridge over the Brahma Aranya river. Immediately after the bridge the Chinna Kavanam village starts. The temple is on the right side on an adjoining lane. Town buses and autos are available frequently from Ponneri.
Contact Details
Nootreteeswarar Temple
Chinnakavanam, Ponneri,
Thiruvallur District – 601204
Phone: +91 44 2797 3061
Mobile: +91 98437 08593