Vadapalani Andavar Temple

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvXQHIAuvXIrQkkA6Pb8Q5Q

A view of the temple

Vadapalani Andavar Temple is a Hindu temple that is dedicated to Lord Muruga. It is located in Vadapalani, Chennai.^[1] It was renovated in the 1920s and a Rajagopuram was built during that time. The temple has grown in popularity, which is believed to be in part due to the patronage of cinema stars.^[2]

History[edit]

Vadapalani Andavar Temple is famous because of Sthanikar Shri V. A. Sundara Gurukkal who took charge of its care as a teenager. Gurukkal walked almost all of the streets of Chennai through his lifetime, inviting devotees people to worship and to contribute to its care. He continued until 1984.

He performed Mahakumbabishekam there 4 times. And until retirement he was the only Pradhana Sthanikar of the temple.

Built around 1890, this temple began as a simple thatched shed. Around 7,000 couples marry there each year.

Main Entrance to the Temple from the Inner Ring Road

According to the sthalapurana, Muruga devotee Annaswami Nayakar built the shed and kept a Murugan painting three for his personal worship. During his worship, he experienced divine power entering his body and inspiring him to speak surprising things later found to be true. His utterances were labeled 'arulvakku' ('God blessed statements') and could cure diseases, provide jobs, solemnize marriages and more.

Sannidhis (deities)[edit]

Many sannidhis are present in the temple courtyards, includingVarasiddhi Vinayaka, Chokkanāthar, Meenakshi Amman, Kāli, Bhairava, Shanmuga with Valli and Devasenā.

The moolavar in standing posture resembles the Palani Muruga. In the inner prakara, many niches house Dakshina Murti, Chandikeswar, Mahalakshmi, and others. It has a spacious hall used for marriages and religious discourse. It is one of the most-frequented Murugan shrines in Chennai.

The entrance to this temple is crowned with a Rajagopuram adorned with several stucco images depicting legends from the Skanda puranam. In front of the temple is the temple tank. The eastern tower rises to a height of 40.8 metres. The 108 bharata natyam dance gestures can be seen on the eastern tower .