Pushparateswarar Gnairu

Saivite Temples, Thiruvallur District

God

Pushparateswarar facing east

Goddess

Swarnambigai, facing south

Other Deities

Swarnambigai, facing south

A newly constructed 5 tier rajagopuram, nice lawns, clean gardens and environments welcome you as you enter this ancient temple – Pushparateswarar Gnairu. A rare Thiruvodu tree (Crescentia cujete) is found here, the dried fruits of which are cut in half and used as a begging bowl by sanyasis. There is a temple tank north of the temple. The rays of the Sun fall on the God and Goddess for the first 7 days of the Tamil month of Chithirai (April – May). Pushparateswarar Gnairu is also considered one of the Navagraha Sthalams around Chennai representing Sun.

Holy Water – Surya Pushkarini

Holy Tree – Nagalingam (Cannon Ball Tree – Couroupita guianensis)

History

Pushparateswarar Gnairu Temple dates back to the Chola period. Stone inscriptions relating to Pandya and Vijayanagara Kings have also been found here at Pushparateswarar Gnairu.

Legend

A Chola king in search of lotus flowers for his daily pooja to lord Shiva entered a pond here and tried to pluck a Lotus which was above all others. It proved to be elusive and kept moving away. In anger he threw his sword at it, the sword broke and a piece fell on a hidden Linga in the water and it started bleeding making the pond red. The king fainted and was revived by Lord Shiva and instructed to build a temple in the place, Pushparateswarar Gnairu. Another story is about a King whose eyesight was taken and then restored in the pond by the Lord who appeared as Surya in a Lotus flower. Hence the name of the place and Pushparateswarar Gnairu is considered as Surya Sthalam. Sage Agastya is believed to have stayed here and worshiped the Lord at Pushparateswarar Gnairu.

Directions

Pushparateswarar Gnairu is about 10 kilometers north from Redhills and regular buses are available.

Stay and Food

None locally. Closest is Redhills (Puzhal).

Saivite Temples