Shakti Peethas
The Parasurama Lingeswarar Temple is situated in Ayanavaram, near Railway Quarters, Chennai – 600 023, and this temple is an ancient temple, which is believed to have been built up before 1000 years ago. Renovation and consecration ceremony were subsequently made to this temple by the ancient kings, but the present deity of Lord Shiva, the Holy Shiva Lingam, was the one which was supposed to be installed during the time of construction of this temple.
Since the great Vishnu Avatar, Sri Parasurama, had once visited and worshipped Lord Shiva at the present place of the temple, hence this temple was came to be known as Sri Parasurama Lingeswarar temple. Though this is a medium sized temple, but the temple is considered as a most popular one in the Chennai locality.
Here Ma Parvati is worshipped as Ma Parvathambigai, and apart from the shrines of Shiva and Parvati, shrines for Lord Vinayaka, Muruga, Dakshinamurti, Vishnu, Brahma, Navagraha, Kalabhairava, Shani Bhagavan, Surya, Chandra, Durga, and Chandikeswarar are also found in the temple. Whoever visits this temple would get attracted with the divine beauty of the deities, and henceforth, they would be frequently visiting this temple forever in their life.
It is also believed that the creator god, and our true divine parent, Lord Brahma had once visited and worshipped Lord Shiva at the present place of the temple, and hence this temple was also known as Sri Brahma Lingeshwara Temple during the ancient period, and the address of the temple is:
Parasurama Lingeswarar Temple,
Parasurama Eswaran Koil Main St,
Ayanavaram, Chennai – 600023.
Whoever wants to get Salvation, knowledge, wealth, popularity and good health must worship this ancient temple of Lord Shiva, in order to get their wishes fulfilled. Devotees who are not familiar to this temple can visit this temple easily, since lot of transportation facilities are available from all parts of the Chennai City. Navaratri and Shivaratri festival days are considered to be most auspicious days and devotees can visit this temple during those days, in order to get the wonderful grace of Lord Shiva and Ma Parvati.
Next to this temple, another ancient temple for Lord Vishnu is located, and it is known as Sri Parasuramar Temple, and before some years ago, the name of the temple had been changed to Sri Kariamanicka Perumal Temple.
During 1990’s, I used to visit these Shiva and Vishnu temples frequently, and I also used to circumambulate the various temple shrines present in the temple, for about 24 times.
Arulmigu Sri Gangadeeswarar temple is situated at Purasawalkam, Chennai which is also close to the Egmore and Central Railway Station. Here Lord Shiva is worshipped as Sri Gangadeeswarar and Ma Parvati is worshipped as Sri Pangajambigai. Apart from the main shrines, shrines for Lord Vinayaka, Muruga, Brahma, Durga, Kala Bhairava, Surya, Chandra Navagrahas and Vishnu are also dedicated in this temple. We can also find a big statue of Lord Shiva who is seen in the form of blessing posture, and in front of him, the statue of the great Bhageeratha is there. Since the great King Bhageeratha had brought the holy River Ganges to the earth from the head of Lord Shiva, in order to recognise his great service, his statue was installed. In this temple, an old well was found, and it is believed, that while River Ganges forcefully flowed from the head of Lord Shiva to the earth, some amount of Ganges water was also mixed in the temple well. Few other Shiva Lingams are also available in this temple, and devotees used to offer milk bath to them on their own hands. Some years ago, I have also performed the holy milk bath to one of the Shiva Lingams in this temple, with great enthusiasm, excitement and therefore I have attained good spiritual enlightenment.
Once this place was surrounded with lot of Purasu trees, therefore this place was called as Purasawakkam.
Lot of transportation facilities are available, like Bus and Auto to reach this holy place.
Since Ma Ganga had once visited this famous Temple, therefore, this temple is called as Gangadeeswarar Temple. Few Hotels with lodging facilities are also available, and devotees who come from faraway places can utilise this facility.