Veeravaranadar Kinar

Madurantakam Saivite Temples

God

Veeravaranadar, facing east

Goddess

Ambanayagi, facing south

Other Deities

Ganesha, Muruga with Consorts, Nagar, Balasubramania, Bhairava, Varadaraja Perumal, Indra on Airavata, Somaskandar, Naalvar, Navagraha, Nrithya Ganapati, Dakshinamurthy, Vishnu, Brahma, Durga, Chandikeswara

Veeravaranadar Kinar is an ancient temple built and served by the Pallavas and Nayaks. The presence of Lord Indra on his white elephant mount Airavata in between Nandi and Shiva is a unique feature here. The shiva lingam is very large. A carving, behind the main deity, of Somaskanda with Mahavishnu on the left and Brahma and Chandikeswara on the right makes this a Trinity Temple also. Veeravaranadar Kinar is an east facing temple with entrance from the south and a large temple tank in front. A large Peepal tree with Nagar(snake god) beneath looks beautiful. The Navagrahas are on their Mounts.

Holy Water (Theertham) – To be updated

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – To be updated

History

Veeravaranadar Kinar was built by Pallavas and served by The Nayak Kings. Thirugnanasambandar (7th century CE) has mentioned this temple in one of his songs – Kannar Thingal and hence the temple is considered a Vaippu Sthalam.

Mythology

Sage Gautama, Pandavas and Agalaikai are believed to have worshiped here. Indra was cursed to have a thousand eyes all over his body for having fallen in lust with Agalikai, wife of Sage Gautama. His prayers for relief to Lord Shiva were answered here. Hence the lord’s name was Nethrapureeswarar, later Thirukannanar and the place came to be corrupted and called Kinar. The god was also known as Veera (Indra) Vara (boon) Nadhar.

Directions

Veeravaranadar Kinar is three kilometers east of Karunguzhi Junction, which is 3.5 kilometers before Madurantakam on the Chennai to Tindivanam Highway.

Stay and Food

There are several restaurants on the highway. Manoj Bhavan a little further is a decent place to eat. If you are proceeding towards Tindivanam then Ganesh Bhavan at Acharapakkam is an old and down to earth place for good food.

Saivite Temples

Kancheepuram Temples

Tamilnadu Temples