Etteeswarar Paiyanoor

Etteeswarar, Paiyanoor

Saivite Temples, Chengalpet Taluk

God

Etteeswarar, facing east

Goddess

Ezhilarkuzhali, facing south

Other Deities

Vinayaka, Muruga with consorts, Chandana Mahalingam, Naagar, Vallalar, Agastya, Naalvar, Bhairava, Suryan, Chandran, Idaikadar Sidhdhar, Navagraha, Sarabeswara. Sanctum Niches – Narthana Vinayaka, Dakshinamurthy, Lingotbavar, Brahma, Durga, Chandikeswara

Etteeswarar Paiyanoor is a beautiful temple on the banks of the temple pond which is in the shape of a crescent that garlands the temple. The sanctum sanctorum is in the form of Gajaprastham (back of an elephant). The temple does not have a compound wall, but is well attended to and maintained. The Mahamantapa is followed by the Arthamantapa and then the sanctum of the lord. The Shiva Lingam has a square Aavudayar (base). The Nandi here is called Apoorva Nandi and is seen with his ears alert, as if listening raptly. The Navagrahas are present here with their consorts. We heard that a snake still comes to the temple on a particular day in the Tamil month of Maasi (February-March). The area is said to be well known for its peaceful co-existence of Saivism and Vaishnavism in the ancient days as is evident from the large shared temple pond in between them.

Holy Water (Theertham) – Bhairavar Kulam (Temple Pond)

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – Erukkam Poo (Calotropis procera)

History

Etteeswarar Paiyanoor is said to be over a thousand years old. This is evident from the construction, stone inscriptions and some of the idols which are old. According to these inscriptions the temple was built in 773 CE by Vijayananda Vikrama Pallava completely with stone and he granted land and other facilities. The inscriptions mention the lord’s name as Etteeswara and as Paiyanur Etteeswaram Udaya Nayanar. The place is mentioned as Rajaseri Chaturvedi Mangalam. From this and the square Aavudayar of the Shiva Lingam it could be assumed that the place was a center for the propagation of Vedas. Some land disputes related to the temple were solved by a chieftain of Kulothunga I, Kangarayan in the year 1098 CE.

Legend

A devotee by name Naagan who was a tenant in the temple’s lands along with others was treated unjustly by the village heads in settling wages. He had also cleaned the temple pond with his own efforts and money. He shed his tears and grievances to the Lord who then interfered as a divine voice and ordered the village heads to do what is just. Upon turning back they saw a light disappearing into the Sanctum Sanctorum. Naagan was paid his dues and the villagers appealed to him to save them from the Lord’s wrath. The Lord’s name is thus Ettee (reach out, seek) Easwaran – Etteeswarar. This incident is said to be mentioned in Sekkzhar’s Periyapuraanam.

Idaikadar Sidhdhar is believed to have worshiped here at Etteeswarar Paiyanoor.

Directions

Etteeswarar Paiyanoor is 9 kilometers south of Thiruporur in the Mahabalipuram road. Take a right at Paiyanoor Village and drive down to reach the temple. There is a Perumal Temple also adjacent.

Stay and Food

None locally. Closest is Thiruporur, Mahabalipuram or Chingleput.

Saivite Temples

Kancheepuram Temples

Tamilnadu Temples