Shri Vadivudai Amman Temple — Attraction in Zone 1 Tiruvottiyur

Vadivudai Amman Temple is located Sannadhi Street, Tiruvottiyur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu India.The temple was built about 2000 years ago.The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva.The temple is revered by the Tevaram hymns of Saiva nayanars, the 7th century Tamil saint poets and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam.this temple is referred either as Adipureeswarar temple or Thyagaraja temple. Lord Shiva is available in this temple in three main forms - formless, physical form, and also in an indescribable form.The goddess of the temple, Vadivudai Amman, is very powerful, and she is one of the three main goddesses of Chennai region.The main shrine of the temple has the big Shiv Linga named Adi Pureeswarar. Hence, this temple is also named as Adi Pureeswarar temple. Adjacent to the main shrine, the shrine of Thyagarajar is located. Vadivudai Amman is seen in a separate shrine. Apart from these three main shrines, there are a lot of shrines in this temple. Some of the notable shrines are 27 star Shiva shrines and Tiruvotteeswarar shrine. Other deities present in the temple include Thiruptheeswarar, Kuzhandhai Eesar, Jaganadhar, Annamalayar, Jambukeswarar, Nagalingar, Meenakshi, Sundareswarar, Sagasralingam, Amirthakandeesar, Gowrieeswarar, and Ekabaadhar.

History of Vadivudai Amman Temple

The temple is associated with the saint poet Sundarar and Pattinathar. The temple has been in existence from the Pallava times of 7th century and widely expanded by Chola kings during the 11th century. The temple has a seven tiered gateway tower and a tank with area covering 1 acre. The temple draws parallel with the Thygaraja temple in Tiruvarur as both the temples were expanded by Rajendra Chola I and both have the same dance poses of Lord Shiva. The temple was originally built by Pallavas and later rebuilt by Rajendra Chola I. The inscription dating 954 CE, the fifth year of the Chola king Gandaraditya indicates 90 sheep for burning lamps and ilavilaku. The inscriptions dating from 1046 CE reveal that 64 bronze Nayanmar statues were installed in the temple. There were equal number of dancing girls called Devadasi in the temple who were divided into two groups, the Valankai Dasis danced for Thyagaraja and the Idangai Dasis danced for Vadivudaiamman. During the reign of the Malik Kafur, much of the temple was destroyed and the bronze idols present now in the temple were installed during the Vijayanagara period of 15th century. Famous saints like Pattinathar, Topeswamigal and Ramalinga Swamigal lived in this town and prayed Thyagaraja in this temple. This place is also home to Thiruvottiyur Thyagayyar who is a Carnatic...

Vadivudai Amman Temple is located Sannadhi Street, Tiruvottiyur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu India.The temple was built about 2000 years ago.The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva.The temple is revered by the Tevaram hymns of Saiva nayanars, the 7th century Tamil saint poets and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam.this temple is referred either as Adipureeswarar temple or Thyagaraja temple. Lord Shiva is available in this temple in three main forms - formless, physical form, and also in an indescribable form.The goddess of the temple, Vadivudai Amman, is very powerful, and she is one of the three main goddesses of Chennai region.The main shrine of the temple has the big Shiv Linga named Adi Pureeswarar. Hence, this temple is also named as Adi Pureeswarar temple. Adjacent to the main shrine, the shrine of Thyagarajar is located. Vadivudai Amman is seen in a separate shrine. Apart from these three main shrines, there are a lot of shrines in this temple. Some of the notable shrines are 27 star Shiva shrines and Tiruvotteeswarar shrine. Other deities present in the temple include Thiruptheeswarar, Kuzhandhai Eesar, Jaganadhar, Annamalayar, Jambukeswarar, Nagalingar, Meenakshi, Sundareswarar, Sagasralingam, Amirthakandeesar, Gowrieeswarar, and Ekabaadhar.

History of Vadivudai Amman Temple

The temple is associated with the saint poet Sundarar and Pattinathar. The temple has been in existence from the Pallava times of 7th century and widely expanded by Chola kings during the 11th century. The temple has a seven tiered gateway tower and a tank with area covering 1 acre. The temple draws parallel with the Thygaraja temple in Tiruvarur as both the temples were expanded by Rajendra Chola I and both have the same dance poses of Lord Shiva. The temple was originally built by Pallavas and later rebuilt by Rajendra Chola I. The inscription dating 954 CE, the fifth year of the Chola king Gandaraditya indicates 90 sheep for burning lamps and ilavilaku. The inscriptions dating from 1046 CE reveal that 64 bronze Nayanmar statues were installed in the temple. There were equal number of dancing girls called Devadasi in the temple who were divided into two groups, the Valankai Dasis danced for Thyagaraja and the Idangai Dasis danced for Vadivudaiamman. During the reign of the Malik Kafur, much of the temple was destroyed and the bronze idols present now in the temple were installed during the Vijayanagara period of 15th century. Famous saints like Pattinathar, Topeswamigal and Ramalinga Swamigal lived in this town and prayed Thyagaraja in this temple. This place is also home to Thiruvottiyur Thyagayyar who is a Carnatic...

One of the oldest temple in this area.

Thiruvotriyur got its name beacuse of this temple. The other name of this place is theradi ( foot of the temple wagan ) is also derived because of this temple ) Built by the pallavas and cholas. The architectural details of this temple is just amazing.

Pros:-

Can easily find inscription in walls all over the temple there are many great stories about this temples some of them are :-

Proven facts :-

1)This temple is built by pallavas and cholas and you can easily differentiate both architecture even though they are mixed through out the temple.

2)being an old temple atleast 1200 years there may be many secret passages under the temple another proof is that there is a subway near the shore built by the pallavas which was later used by the british

3. there is said to be 3 idols which came from the ground i dont know the science behind it but all three of them are present here

4. aadhipureeswar

5. valarkaali amman

6. agasa lingam

7. This temple is so old that the last kudamuluku ( kumbabishegam ) done was before 1000 years and recently it was again done

8. In the thirvottriswarar sanidhi there are stone chain and stone ball can we seen.

Assumptions :-

One of the oldest and the most praised litrature in tamil is silapadhigaram and after burning madhurai kannagi came to this temple and said to be trapped here in the temple well and still some secret rituals are done.( This facts will not be openly spoken any where even if you ask any one they will give you a strange look and deny the fact )

Cons :-

1. In the name of renovation ancient basement of the temple is removed which is laid by ( semburai kal ) which is a form of sand stone and replaced with concrete.

This was done because it was very tough for the temple wagan to move through the old layout. Which was done before 1000 years.

2. many new structures were built which spoil the ancient design of this temple mixing the old granite structure with new cement structure may be for cosmetic purpose but does not work well

3. the temple well is not maintained properly...