Nootreteeswarar Chinnakavanam

Saivite Temples, Thiruvallur District

God

Nootreteeswarar, Chadhurvedapureeswarar facing east

Goddess

Ashtothra Valli

Other Deities

Chathurvedeswarar, Ankola Vinayaka, Subramanya with his consorts, Surya, Kalabhairava, Navagrahas

Nootreteeswarar Chinnakavanam Temple is an east facing temple with a 3 tier Rajagopuram facing south. King Nandhi Varman renovated the temple in a grand scale. The Eranjhil tree here is believed to be 2500 years old and its seeds ripen and fall to the ground but are attracted on to the tree trunk. The seeds can be seen sticking to the tree trunk and it is said they disappear after some time – probably merges with the trunk. This temple and tree are mentioned in Sivananda Lahiri. This is the Birthplace of Ramalinga Adigalar’s mother. Her house is still being maintained by the Adigalar’s followers. Vallalar has visited this temple.

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – Eranjhil or Ankola Tree (Alangium salvifilium)

Mythology

In olden days this place was called Chathurvethapuram and the main deity is called Chathurvedeeswarar with Goddess Sivagami Ammai. On his way to Kasi, Sage Agasthya came here to worship Chathurvedeeswarar when he got the divine message that worshipping a Shivalingam under the Eranzhil tree here for 108 days will be equivalent to going to Kasi. So he created a lingam everyday with the sand of the nearby Brahma Aranya river and worshipped them for 108 days. But on the final day, all the 108 lingams merged themselves into a single Vinayaka idol for the simple reason that he did not start the worship with Vinayaka as per custom. Then Lord Shiva gave dharshan to Agasthya in the form of Vinayaka. The 108 lingams which got merged into a Vinayaka are present under the Eranjhil tree in the name of Ankola Ganapathy. In spite of many hundreds of years of exposure to nature’s elements the sand made Vinayakar is still looking fine. Since all his 108 lingams got merged into a Vinayaka, Agasthya then installed another lingam called Nootretteswarar which is considered equivalent to the original 108 lingams. In the sanctum sanctorum we can see both Nootreteswarar and Chathurvedeeswarar in the form of lingams in separate shrines. Also, there are two Nandhis for the two lingams.

History

King Nandivarma Pallava (846-869 CE) is said to have renovated this temple. In olden days this place was called Chathurvethapuram and the main deity was called Chathurvedeeswarar with Goddess Sivagami Ammai.

Legend

On his way to Kasi, Sage Agasthya came here to worship Chathurvedeeswarar when he got the divine message that worshiping a Shivalingam under the Eranzhil tree here for 108 days will be equivalent to going to Kasi. So he created a Lingam everyday with the sand of the nearby Brahma Aranya river and worshiped them for 108 days. But on the final day, all the 108 Lingams merged themselves into a single Vinayaka idol for the simple reason that he did not start the worship with Vinayaka as per custom. Then Lord Shiva gave dharshan to Agasthya in the form of Vinayaka. The 108 Lingams which got merged into a Vinayaka are present under the Eranjhil tree in the name of Ankola Ganapathy. In spite of many hundreds of years of exposure to nature’s elements the sand made Vinayakar is still looking fine. Since all his 108 Lingams got merged into a Vinayaka, Agasthya then installed another Lingam called Nootretteswarar (108 Lingams) which is considered equivalent to the original 108 lingams. In the sanctum sanctorum we can see both Nootreteswarar and Chathurvedeeswarar in the form of lingams in separate shrines. Also, there are two Nandhis for the two Lingams.

Directions

After Ponneri, on the road to Pulicat, cross the bridge over the river and you reach Chinnakavanam. Nootreteeswarar Chinnakavanam temple is on the right side on an adjoining lane.

Stay and Food

None locally. Ponneri is the nearest place for food

Saivite Temples

Tamilnadu Temples