Remember the trip to have a look at Sausage Tree and Azhinjal Tree? Along with the visit to those 2 places, I also had a look at the main temple, Ponneri is known for.
Its the Shiva temple called Agastheeswarar Temple. His consort here is called Anandavalli. The sanctum sanctorum is in the beautiful architectural shape of Gaja Prashtam like that at Madambakkam Dhenupurishwarar Temple.
On the outer wall of Sanctum Sactorum, behind the shrine, on either sides of the central section, are relief sculptures of Plough! Why plough? Well, plough in local language Tamizh is called 'Eeru'. Gold is tamil is called 'Pon'. Gold Plough would be Pon Eru which eventually became Ponneri, the name of the town!
Around the sanctum sanctorum are the shrines of Kalahasthiswarar, Abhithakujambal, Vinayaka, Naagam, Naanappoongothai, Valli Devasena Murugan, Brahma, Durga, and Havagraha. A Golden Shower flower tree was in full bloom in the temple permises.
One feature that I particularly noticed was the relief sculpture of Kannappa Nayanar in 2 places! One near the sanctum sanctorum and another in the mandapa outside the temple.
More relief sculptures can be seen in the mandapa outside the temple. Also seen was a pretty big temple tank which was relatively clean, though not pristine!
At a very short distance from here is a temple is a Vishnu Temple called Thiru Aai Paadi. Between the 2 temples is a road called HariHaran Bazaar street. Once a year, during temple festival, Shiva from Shiva Temple and Vishnu from Vishnu temple meet here!!!
TO GET THERE:
The temple is located at a walkable distance from the Ponneri Bus stand.
From Chennai: 45 km via Puzhal, Redhills
From Redhills: 21 km
From Pulicat: 19 km
Google Coordinates: http://goo.gl/maps/INaJ2
Dedicated to Mom
Very interesting. There ought to be some story behind the golden plough.
ReplyDeleteAges ago such golden ploughes were used by important people to plough the land for the first time of each harvest season. One eg. such a event is at Lal Mahal, Pune where Shivaji & Jijabhai are seen with golden plough!
DeleteAnother lovely temple with interesting stories. Thanks for introducing such little known temples. Great work, Bhusha!
ReplyDeletehttp://rajniranjandas.blogspot.in
Thank you Niranjan! :)
Deletenice info ...
ReplyDeletebeautiful photos esp first one...
thanks
Thank you Krishna! :)
DeleteInteresting observations and info-packed description. Nice.
ReplyDeletewww.bnomadic.wordpress.com
Thank you bNomadic! :)
DeleteGood to know the explanation for the name 'Ponneri'. Maybe some farmers in those days were rich enough to own one?
ReplyDeleteDestination Infinity
No no.. Ages ago such golden ploughes were used by important people to plough the land for the first time of each harvest season. One eg. such a event is at Lal Mahal, Pune where Shivaji & Jijabhai are seen with golden plough!
Deletehey very nice photography even i am also interested in photography
ReplyDeleteThank you! Good to know you too like photography! :)
DeleteFantastic blog. i am happy to have this find. will be visiting you more often.
ReplyDeleteyou can visit my photography blog too at http://saurabhmittalphotography.blogspot.in/
Thank you so much Saurabh for visiting and writing a comment too!
DeleteDo visit often! :)
temples in south India are so interesting!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.myunfinishedlife.com
Indeed. They are!!! :)
Deleteso interesting! The temples are so rich!!
ReplyDeleteI just wish I could see it for myself
lovely
beijinho*
You should visit India for sure, Ana!!! :)
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