Vaitheeswaraswamy Poonamallee

Saivite Temples, Thiruvallur District

God

Vaitheeswaraswamy, facing east

Goddess

Thaiyyal Nayagi amman, facing south

Other Deities

Narthana Vinayagar, Azhagu Vinayagar, Chevvai Padham, Bairava, Navagrahas, Chandran, Somaskandar, Dakshinamurthy, Kasi Viswanathar, Kasi Visalakshi, Kumbeswarar, Kailasanadhar, Annapurani, Mahalakshmi, Mahalingeswarar, Aadhisankara, Muruga with consorts, Chandikeswara, Brahma, Durga

Vaitheeswaraswamy Poonamallee is an ancient east facing temple with a temple pond in the front. Sri Angaaragan’s Paadham (foot print of the Mars God, Sani Bhagavan) is found in the temple just outside the sanctum under the Holy Tree sculpted on stone. The Nandi here is called Vishnu Nandi. This temple has some beautiful sculptures and it is worth spending time observing them. this is one of the Navagraha Shrines around Chennai dedicated to Mars (Sani) and also called Uthira Vaitheeswaran Temple. There are 3 Chakras installed by Aadhi Sankara in the Prakaaram – Sri Chakram, Subramanya Chakram and Shanmuga Chakram. There is a Bana Lingam inside facing the northern entrance. The Sun’s rays fall on the lord for a few days in the Tamil month of Maasi (February – March).

Holy water (Theertham) – Vinaitheertha Theertham, Temple Pond

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – Thaazhi Panai (a variety of palm)

History

Vaitheeswaraswamy Poonamallee is an ancient temple going back more than 1000 years.

Legend

It is believed that Angaragan (Mars, Sani) worshiped the lord here at Vaitheeswaraswamy Poonamallee and is hence considered a Navagraha Temple representing Sani.

Directions

Vaitheeswaraswamy Poonamallee temple is inside Poonamallee Town. Take the left after government hospital into Vaitheeswaran Street to reach the temple.

Stay and Food

Poonamallee has a few good restaurants for a simple meal

Saivite Temples