While returning from a work in Thirumazhisai towards Chennai by Car, I was surprised to see a big gopuram on the main road and just adjacent to the Gopuram a pond with Water (most of the temple tanks in Chennai are dried – but good to see water in some). When I asked my colleague to read out the name written in Tamil, he read it as “Othandeeswarar Temple”. I asked the driver to take a “U-turn”. I am happy that I have asked the driver to take a “U-turn” , so that I can share about this Beautiful Ancient Temple today.

Thirumazhisai is situated about 25 kms west of Chennai. It is on the main road to Thiruvallur from Poonamallee.

Because of Lack of time , I was not able to upload articles offlate on my website. However today this sunday had wonderful darshan of Lord Perumal at Kari Varadaraja Temple near Koyambedu Metro of Chennai and wants to share some information and my experience. 

In temples particularly in old temples, the perumal idols will be seen with closed eyes- may be signifying dhyanam. I used to think , it would be great if the idol opens the eyes. But in my various temple visits didin't experienced that. However Goddess idols are generally with open eyes. So yesteday night when I was thinking of visiting any old temple, I came across a web article on Aalayam Kanden website, about Kari Varadaraja Temple. Impressed with the information, today I went to the temple. 

Ranganatha Perumal Temple is a Hindu temple in Thiruneermalai, a suburb of Chennai. One of 108 Divya desams; considered as mukthi sthala . Here Perumal (Lord Vishnu) appears in 4 different forms together in one divya desam.

While the Sthalathipadi (presiding deity) is Neervanna Perumal, all utsavams (Celebrations) are for Lord Ranganatha. The complex is in two parts one at the base of the hill for the Staladhipadhi Neervanan (Ninran-Standing Posture), housing shrines of his consort Animamalar Mangai thayar, Kalyana Ramar and Andal. Shrine for Anjaneya (Hanuman) is to the right as one climbs up to the hill shrine. The temple complex up the hill has three shrines for Lord Ranganatha (Kidanthaan – in reclining posture), Trivikrama (Nadanthaan – in walking posture), Lord Narasimha (Irundhaan - sitting posture) and a Shrine for Ranaganayaki Thayar (facing East). It is a double prakaram(outer courtyard) temple. The Garuda shrine faces the Lord. The view from the top of the hill is wonderful.

Lord Vishnu has various names. Vishnu Sahashranama Counts Thousand Names of the Lord.While Vishnu is known by several different names, these 12 - Kesava, Narayana, Madhava, Govinda, Vishnu, Madhusudhana, Thiruvikrama, Vamana, Sridhara, Rishikesava, Padmanabha and Damodaran - are particularly sacred ones. THE LAST of Lord Narayana's 12 names mentioned in the "Dwadasa Nama Stotra" is Damodaran.

When spoken about Tamilnadu, the first thing that strikes the mind are temples - Be it Kanchi Kamakshi, Rameshwaram, Chidambaram. Not only these , there are various other temples in the capital Chennai which are centuries old. One such temple is Agastheeswarar Temple of Villivakkam. Situated approximately 8 Kms from Chennai Central Railway Station, this temple is near my house. I visited temple good number of times not knowing that it is almost 1000 years old. Here in brief about the Temple where the Sage Agastheeswar worshippped the Lord.

Chennai – my current home being the third biggest metropolitan city of India with temples, beaches and centers of historical and cultural significance, including the UNESCO Heritage Site of Mahabalipuram, is one of the most visited cities in India. The city serves as the gateway to the southern part of India with tourists landing in the city and starting their trip to the rest of the region. Chennai was the most visited Indian city by foreign tourists in 2009 and issued the third highest number of visas on arrival in 2014.

When you are roaming on the roads of Chennai you are frequented by Green Name Boards pointing the temple streets. There is a temple in every corner of Chennai almost all being atleast a century old. As I love visiting temples – here I am sharing about Kasi Vishwanathar Temple of Ayanavaram – a residential locality of chennai.