SANEESWARAN TEMPLE NEAR CHENNAI
Several times, when travelling by train from southern places to Chennai, I’ve always spotted this huge lake, a waterbody as soon as I crossed Chengalpattu / Chengalpet. And usually those Chennai trains, reach Chennai, at around 6 or 7. And I wake up at Chengalpattu early in the morning to pack up my blanket etc. As soon as I wake up, I look out of the window and I get an amazing view of this lake. Everytime I saw this, I wanted to venture to this lake, just for the sake of visiting this lake. And the fine day came. When a friend wanted to head out for a day-trip on a weekend, we thought why not this lake. And my mom suggested us to visit a temple also in the locality. Little did I know that this was one of the important Saneeswaran Temples in Chennai.
Going to Chengalpet is best done by local electric train and we did the same. We reached Chengalpet at around 9 and we first ventured to the temple.
The Lord here is and Kodhanda Ramaswamy. Lord Rama is an re-incarnation of Lord Vishnu. He is seated here in the position as sitting as a groom. Goddess Sita is seated beside him here as a bride on his left. On his right is his brother Lakshmanan. On either sides are their brothers Bharathan and Sathruganan and also Hanuman. It was so unusual to see Bharathan and Sathruganan in the Sanctum Sanctorum. This was the first time I saw this. Bronze figurines are here of the same people. Other shrines in the Ardha Mandapam are of the 12 Azhwars. This temple was built in 1041 AD.
The specialty of this temple is the shrine of Hanuman / Anjaneya. So, what’s so special about this? The Hanuman here is seen with Sani under his legs, i.e., crushing him under his feet. Here comes, the legend: The south Indian people know very well about ‘Ezharai Sani’. For others, lemme tell you what it is. In the astrological terms, it’s a period of seven and a half years, in which Saturn (Shani) sojourns on, before, and after the Lagnam point, each 2 ½ years respectively. Sani Peyarchi is observed is one of the important events observed in this temple, as it is the Saneeswaran Temple near Chennai.
In Ramayana, when Sita was carried away by Ravana, Lord Rama was in his mission to rescue her with the help of the Monkey Army inclusive of Hanuman / Anjaneya. He was standing at the edge of India to jump to Lanka. It was the very moment when Saneeswaran (Saturn) came over to get hold of him for Ezharai Sani. Hanuman told him, since he was on a mission, he would finish the work, and come back to him. However since the war started soon after that, Hanuman couldn’t get back. So when the Rama’s army started to build the bridge to Lanka, Saturn came again to get hold of Hanuman. Now he couldn’t get rid of him. So Hanuman requested him to get hold of only a part of his body and that would be his head. Saturn accepted. That is where the trick was: Hanuman was carrying boulders and rocks to build the bridge, on his head. Now those rocks were above Saturn’s head and Saturn literally got crushed between the boulders and Hanuman’s head. So Saturn said he would get hold of his feet. Hanuman let him and before he could get hold of the feet, Hanuman crushed him to the ground. Now Saturn almost pleaded Hanuman to let him go!!! And Hanuman did, finally!!! As Saturn left, he said that all devotees of Hanuman and all those who even think of Hanuman for a moment also would not be affected by Saturn. The Shrine was on the left of the main Sanctum Sanctorum. Being a Sani Pariharam temple is the main reason for why this temple is one of the most important temples near Chennai.
We circumambulated in the temple. I was taken back in time to see the school kids of 10th and 12th exams here praying desperately just before exams.
After spotting some fabulous inscriptions, from here we walked up to the railway station. I enquired there about Kolavai Lake and I was directed to The Boat House. We took an auto and reached there. Best view could be gotten from the Water Pumping Station located at some distance from the railway station. But this is inaccessible from the road, unless we crossed the railway track - A risk I didn’t want to take with this friend!!!
Yes, the Boat house doesn’t function here anymore. But there was a boat with people rowing it. I enquired one of them and guess who I met – They were a part of the National Disaster Management Team – a wing of defence force. I always get inspired and have a great respect and pride at our defence forces and I was so happy to meet them. They were here as a part of the training for boat rowing. From there, we came back to the railway station.
I took a couple of photographs from railway station itself. Kolavai Lake is one of the best spots for birding in Chennai. I spotted a few Pelicans and a few egrets. But the number of birds were not so much as that of Perungudi Lake. That might also be because of the time and the mid day summer heat. May be if we had ventured there during the dawn, we might have spotted many more. And took our train back home.
Tambaram to Chengalpattu distance: 34 km
Tindivanam to Chengalpattu disctance: 66 km
Frequent Train and Bus services are available from Tambaram.
How to reach Kothandaramar aka Veera Anjaneyar Temple: Walkable from Chengalpet railway station. Would take about 10 mins through the little lanes. Enquire for Ramakrishna School. This temple is located just beside this school.
How to reach Kolavai Lake: The best view is from the Water Tank which is inaccessible. The second best view is from the last platform of the railway station itself.
Best time for Bird Watching: Nov-Jun
PHONE NUMBERS OF VEERA ANJANEYAR TEMPLE CHENGALPATTU
Contact number of Chengalpattu Kothanda Ramaswamy temple priest Janarthanan: +91 94447 79392
Contact number of Chengalpattu Kothanda Ramaswamy Temple Secretary Ramalingam: +91 94435 21378
Dedicated to Vaishu.
"As Saturn left, he said that all devotees of Hanuman and all those who even think of Hanuman for a moment also would not be affected by Hanuman - ??? Is it not Saturn??? Those who worship Hanuman will not affected by Saturn na??
ReplyDeleteNice one.. Will check out very soon :) :)
@Sow,
ReplyDeleteCorrected da... Thanks for spotting.. :)
Hello Busha, do you really travel to all these places? What pleasure to be able to do so?
ReplyDeleteHey, a gr8 compilation yet again :)
ReplyDeleteThat sani part with hanuman is really helpful, no one has explained it to me so perfectly :)
will catch up wid ur past posts soon...
cheers !!!
Thank you for this beautiful and interesting trip !!!
ReplyDeleteYour country is very nice !!!!!
And your photos amazing !!!
Greetings
Wow lovely temple and lake .
ReplyDeleteLovely temple..I have been planning to visit this temple for long. Where is the Ramar temple exactly? How far away is it from Chengalpattu railway station. or is it same as the Veera Anjaneya temple?
ReplyDeleteHi bushavali
ReplyDeleteInteresting story about Hanuman and Sani
good narration and photos
thanks for sharing
Wonderful pictures from such a beautiful place!
ReplyDeleteYour pictures draws me to India!! I will have to put it on my list of places to travel to :)
ReplyDeletehttp://ladyonaroof.blogspot.com/
nice post..been to chengelpattu last time,but didnt see any pelicans
ReplyDeleteWhat an adventure, seeing a temple, a beautiful lake, and enjoying the birdwatching.
ReplyDeletehi you seem to be really a travel lover...
ReplyDeleteI am also into travelling plus photography...photography is like passion to me...
waiting for your comments on my page..
https://www.facebook.com/kunjandetrojasphotography
Hi,
ReplyDeleteVery interesting post with lovely photos and packed with information. In every post of yours there is something new to learn.
Best wishes,
Joseph
Hi Friend! It seems to be a lovely place to visit; and you look great!!
ReplyDeleteBlogtrotter Two is leaving the Côte d’Azur 2010; but it has a beautiful spot for you... Enjoy and have a wonderful week ahead!!
Beautiful shots. It is nice to know about this unique temple.
ReplyDelete@Ocean Gal,
ReplyDeleteThanks dear... :)
@Sathish,
Thank you so much dear... :)
@Magda,
Do visit my country. I'm sure you'll totally fall in love here!!!
@Team G Square,
Thanks dear... :)
@Sridharan,
ReplyDeleteYes. Both temples are one and the same... :)
@Krishna,
Thanks dear... :)
@Phivos,
Thanks dear.. :)
@Senorita,
Welcome to my blog dear.. :)
Glad you liked my post!!! :)
Am checking out your blog soon!!! :)
@Lakshmi,
ReplyDeletehard luck!!! :(
@Janie,
It was indeed!!! :)
@Kunjan,
Thanks for visiting my blog and commenting.
I'll come to your facebook page soon!!! :)
@Joseph Cheta,
Thanks you so much for your kind compliment.. :)
@Trotter,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much.. :)
@Rajesh,
Glad that I introduced the temple to you!!! :)
Hi, Thanks for posting the details about the temple. It is really helpful.
ReplyDeleteAdding the temple timings for anyone wants to visit:
Morning 7.30 am to 10.30 am
Evening 5.30 pm to 8.30 pm
Happened to visit this temple recently on Saturday, On saturdays alone this temple will be open till 12.00 pm in the morning slot.
Delete@Kuzhali,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the extra detail.. :)
Hi,
ReplyDeleteI lived near to Kolavai Lake for 2 years. Every morning I woke up to the mesmerizing beauty of this place. That was one of the best time I had. I have captured beauty of this lake in so many photos. Also being an avid traveler, I loved all the temples of Tamil Nadu. I really hope I had come across your post, while I was there...
Hi Samir,
ReplyDeleteGlad you lived near Kolavai Lake!
It would have been awesome to live there and to be woken up everyday by the birds' chirps!
Glad you enjoyed the historical architecture of this place as well!! :)