Katchaleeswarar Mannady

Saivite Temples, Chennai District

God

Katchaleeswarar, facing east

Goddess

Sundarambigai (Azhagambikai), facing south

Other Gods

Panchamukha Vinayaka, Naalvar, Vinayaka, Dakshinamurthy, Somaskandar, Ganesha, Lingotbavar, Shanmuga, Brahma, Durga, Chandikeswara, Muruga with consorts, 63 Nayanmars, Perumal, Nataraja, Dattatreya, Gajalakshmi, Saraswathy, Bhairava, Surya, Chandran, Navagraha, Moolaganapathy, Chengalvarayar (Muruga) with consorts, Adishankara, Mundikeswara, Anjaneya, Ayyappa

Katchaleeswarar Mannady is a surprisingly large temple in such a crowded area. Behind the main Lingam is the carved image of Sadasivamurthy representing the formless and the one with form respectively. Navagrahas are in separate mandapam in standing posture with surya and consorts Usha and Ptratyusha in the center. The roof of the mandapam are sculpted with the 12 zodiac signs, 27 stars, 60 years, the four yugas and the ashtadik baalakas. The Lingam here is on five seats, koormam (tortoise), naagam (snake), simham (lion), yugas (the aeons) and padmam (lotus). Kachabeswarar is the form of Lord Shiva worshiped by Lord Vishnu in his Koorma Avatar. The Ayyappa shrine here is considered important as the Panchaloha Idol which was installed in Sabarimala after the fire in 1950’s was also said to have been brought here for poojas and could not be moved for various reasons for a few days. In memory of this event the present Ayyappa shrine was built. A significant observation in almost all temples in the area is the presence of many Naagar (Snake) idols in different forms in regular worship.

Holy water (Theertham) – Sivagangai Theertham

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) –Murungai (Drumstick – Moringa oleifera)

Vimaanam – Chaturanga Vimaanam

History

Katchaleeswarar Mannady is definitely ancient by at least several centuries. The stone structures and sculptures all display the antiquity of the ancient temple, but exact historic information is not available as of now.

Legend

Katchaleeswarar Mannady was built by a devotee who after visiting Kachaleeswarar temple in Kancheepuram could not reach Chennai for several days due to heavy rains and floods. To his surprise after returning he found all his pending work completed by gods grace and constructed this temple.

Directions

Katchaleeswarar Mannady is in the northern part of Armenian Street in Parry’s Corner.

Stay and Food

Chennai has hotels and restaurants across all tiers. Parry’s Corner and surrounding areas have good new restaurants including a few old ones like Shankar Cafe. There are several small eateries in the narrow lanes doling out delectable snacks throughout the day, but care has to be taken in selecting the shops.

Saivite Temples