Nandeeswarar Guduvanchery

Saivite Temples, Chengalpet Taluk

God

Nandeeswarar, facing east

Goddess

Soundaranayaki, facing south

Other Deities

Ganesha and Muruga at Sanctum entrance. Sanctum niches – Narthana Ganapathi, Dakshinamurthy, Vishnu, Brahma, Chandikeswara, Durga. Prakaram – Ganesha, Muruga with consorts, Anjaneya, Bhairava, Veerabadhra, Surya, Mahavishnu, Navagraha

Nandeeswarar Guduvanchery is an ancient east facing temple entered through a gateway in the south. The temple has 2 Prakarams – one for circumambulation inside and one outside with all the other shrines. The Lingam here is large and is on a square base (Aavudayar). An ancient Nandi idol is kept outside under a Nagalinga tree. Mahavishnu facing west with Anjaneya facing east on a carved pillar is present here. A large temple tank is east of the temple and is in the process of undergoing renovation when we visited in 2018. The original temple has been reconstructed several times in the past.

Holy Water (Theertham) – Nandi Theertham

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – Nagavalli (Cannon ball tree – Couroupita guianensis)

History

Nandeeswarar Guduvanchery was built by Nandivarma Pallava around 715 CE. Later Cholas have contributed to the development of this temple. Thirunavukkarasar (7th century CE) has mentioned this temple in his Hymns, hence this a Vaippu Sthalam.

Legend

A Lizard is believed to have worshiped the lord here at Nandeeswarar Guduvanchery. Nandeeswara is commonly attributed to the name of the lord when he danced between the horns of Nandi. However the name of the lord has probably been derived from Nandivarma Pallava’s name. Several Siddhas have worshiped the lord here in olden days and the monument of one of them, Thirugnanaguru, can be seen here.

Directions

Nandeeswarar Guduvanchery is in the eastern side of Guduvanchery town which is about 10 kilometers from Tambaram on the National Highway towards Chengalpet. The area of the temple is called Nandivaram.

Stay and Food

Restaurants are available near Vandalur, Guduvanchery and in the National Highway.

Saivite Temples

Kancheepuram Temples

Tamilnadu Temples