BIKING IN CHENNAI - STUMBLING UPON LESSER KNOWN TEMPLES & ABANDONED QUARRIES
BEST ROADS FOR BIKING IN CHENNAI
Certain roads are too good to drive. In Chennai, so far it was only ECR for me, until I travelled once in Kelambakkam - Vandalur Road. Ever since this road too is in that list. Another road that I wanted to try was the Medavakkam - Mambakkam Road. So, perfectly things fell in place when I wanted to visit Unaimancheri Ramar Temple. Once I started off in Medavakkam - Mambakkam Road, it too got into my favourites list. But unlike the other 2 favourites, this is a bit lesser in width and has more lorries in it, making the road a bit crowded. But still, its not as crowded as ECR.
STUMBLING UPON MAMBAKKAM SIVAN TEMPLE
Well, as I was nearing Mambakkam to get into the Kelambakkam - Vandalur road, I spotted this temple on the way, which looked obviously old! So, I just stopped and went inside. As I expected, it was locked. I came out again and enquired the local people and came to know the temple's priest house is very near by. I went there and he was very much available and he readily accompanied me to the temple. That is how I stumbled upon 2 of the unique, lesser known temples in Chennai.
HISTORY OF MAMBAKKAM MURUGANATHEESWARAR TEMPLE
This temple has several images of fishes on the ceiling, so most probably this temple was built by the Pandya Kings. This temple has its own bunch of inscriptions belonging to 12th-13th C. Currently this temple comes under the Hindu Religious Endowment Board.
SHRINES OF MAMBAKKAM MURUGANATHEESWARAR TEMPLE
Mambakkam Sivan Temple's Lord Shiva is called Muruganatheeswarar. His consort is Deivanayaki. Other shrines here are of Lord Vinayaka, Navagraha, Chandikesa, Valli Devasena Subrahmanian. This temple is an east facing temple and it has a huge pond beside.
ARCHITECTURE OF MAMBAKKAM MURUGANATHEESWARAR TEMPLE
Very similar to the Madambakkam Dhenupurishwarar Temple, this temple too has no Gopuram and has a very small Vimana. Portions of the temple have been built with granite and portions have been built with stucco. I should consider myself lucky to have met this temple priest. He gave me tons of information about the other historic temples in this locality and he himself took me to another temple here at Ponmar - Sathyapureeswarar Temple.
FINDING KANDIGAI QUARRY RECLAIMED BY MOTHER NATURE
From Mambakkam Muruganatheeswarar Sivan Temple, my next stop was Unamancheri Ramar Temple. Enroute I also wanted to visit a Shiva temple in Kandigai in the Kelambakkam - Vandalur Road. Trying to explore hunting for this temple, I got into a small street, where I spotted this abandoned quarry. A quarry when alive, creates an ecological imbalance. But when its dysfunctional, it does create an unusual landscape!!!
KANDIGAI MEGANATHESWARAR SIVAN TEMPLE (Update Jan 2021)
The Kandigai Sivan Temple (aka Melakottaiyur Sivan Temple) is called the Meganatheswarar Temple. It is very tiny but have a huge pond in front of it. It was located in the street next to the one I entered in. I found it recently thanks to Google Maps & Facebook! The inscriptions here mention the donations given by Kannara Devan, son of Aditya Chola I. I'm yet to visit here. Hopefully that would happen soon and I will update soon after that!
HOW TO REACH MAMBAKKAM MURUGANATHEESWARAR TEMPLE & KANDIGAI MEGANATHESWARAR TEMPLE
On Google Maps: Mambakkam Muruganatheeswarar Temple, Kandigai Meganatheswarar Temple, Kandigai Quarry
How to reach Mambakkam from Medavakkam: 10km on the Medavakkam-Mambakkam Road
How to reach Mambakkam from Tambaram: 20km via Perungalathur, Vandalur and then on the Vandalur-Kelambakkam Road and then left turn at Mabakkam
In either rotes, buses aren't frequent. Hire an auto (to & fro) or take your own mode of transport.
मंदिर की बेहतरीन जानकारी देने का आà¤ार।
ReplyDeleteHey :)
ReplyDeleteHope you remember me :)
I just need your help & have mailed you :)
It's breathtakingly beautiful!I too have a thing for ancient temples but these days,I hardly get to go anywhere far from my place.So,haven't chanced upon old temples for a while.But I'm not complaining since your blog keeps me updated.Love.:-)
ReplyDeleteThe Pond looks beautiful.. Nice place & Post..
ReplyDeletei love temple and i come to photography their .thanks for sheering :)
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Nice post and great clicks.
ReplyDeletewww.rajniranjandas.blogspot.com
nice info with photos..
ReplyDeleteI love your photos and descriptions of the old temple. So interesting!
ReplyDeleteAmazing pictures and impressive monuments!!
ReplyDelete@Sandeep,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much dear...
@Sathish,
Of course why not. I remember you so well.
Long time No C. Whr have you been.
Yes. Saw the mail and replied too...
@Sowmi,
I am so glad that my blog helps you to connect with our heritage. That's a great compliment. Thank you so much...
@Sridharan,
Thank you so much dear...
@Groupdmt,
ReplyDeleteDo go there for a photoshoot. That would be adsolutely great. Do share after you've done...
@Niranjan,
Thanks buddy.. :)
@Krishna,
Thanks dear.. :)
@Janie,
Thank you so much love...
@Phivos,
Thanks sweetheart...
Thank you. I am visiting this temple tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteHi, I need contact number of temple authorities... Can anyone send me...
ReplyDelete