Trisulam Trisulanathar Temple (Chennai)

India / Tamil Nadu / Pallavaram / Chennai
 temple, Shiva temple
Though Thirusoolam means the weapon (Thrishul) of the Goddess Parvathi, the temple legend has an interesting background attached to it. As Lord Brahma, the creator worshipped Lord Shiva here; it was called as Brahmapuri originally. According to the stone inscriptions found in the temple, the place was called as Vaanavan Maadevi Chathurvedhi Mangalam., which later turned to become Pallavapuram (today’s Pallavaram).

The place is known as Thirusoolam. The temple is situated amidst 4 hills surrounding it. In Thamizh, the place between the hills is called ‘Churam’ (சுரம்) and hence this place was called as ‘Thiru Churam’ (திருச்சுரம்) which had later become Thirusoolam.

The Lord too is known as Sri Thirusoolanaadhar and Goddess Sri Thiripurasundhari.

This very ancient temple is beautifully located amidst 4 hills at Thirusoolam. It is believed that these 4 hills denote 4 Vedas.

This temple is said to have been built during the reign of Kulothunga Chozha, about 1000 years ago. The Lord, Sri Thirusoolanaadhar is facing the east. Goddess Sri Thiripurasundhari is facing south, outside the sanctum. There is another idol for Goddess inside the main sanctum itself just in front of the Moolavar. It is said that, during some invasion, the original idol of the Goddess was damaged by intruders and a new idol was made and installed outside the sanctum. The then priest got a dream, in which he was directed by the God himself to place the damaged idol next to the main deity itself. So, the Goddess which was originally there, found a place just next to the main deity Himself.
The sanctum has been built in Gajabrishta or Thoongaanai Maadam (தூங்கானை மாடம்) shape. The inner Praakaaram has Lord Ganapathi facing the south. Here Lord Ganapathi is seen as ‘Naaga Yagnopaveetha Ganapathi’, as he is wearing the Naagam (snake) as his sacred thread.

Sri Dhakshinamurthy here is also very unique. He is called as Veerasana Dhakshinamurthy, as He is seen sitting in the ‘Veerasana’ Posture, with his left leg folded and his right leg on the Muyalaka Asura.

Other deities here are Sri Subramanyar, Sri Maha Vishnu, Sri Brahma, Sri Durgai, Sri Bhairavar and Naalvar inside the Praakaaram. The outer praakaram has shrines for Sri Ayyappan and Sri Aadhi Sankaracharya.

Pradhosham and Maha Shivarathri days are celebrated in a grand manner at this temple.

A small but wonderful temple secluded between the hills with great history behind it.
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   12°58'24"N   80°9'57"E

Comments

  • This is oldest siva temple in chennai
  • Art of Living Sri Sri Ravishankar's pet temple. Mostly, when he comes to Chennai he goes to this temple straight from the Airport
  • can any one temme the route from railway station?
This article was last modified 9 years ago