Lord Shiva, as Swaymabu Linga is facing east. As He gave a walking stick
(Oondrukol) to saint Sundarar, He is praised as Oondreeswarar. It is strange
tradition in the temple that Vada Mala (a garland made of Vada the popular dish
of Tamilnadu) on new moon and full moon days. The right horn of Nandi the bull
vehicle of Lord is found broken. Saint Sundarar with his stick in the left hand
is standing nearby. The sculpture shows Sundarar sad with blind eyes.
Lord Sri Valampuri Vinayaka adores the temple. Originally, the temple was near a lake in
Tiruvalampudur near Poondi. Later, it has been shifted to a central place in Poondi. Mother Minnoli Ammans shrine is facing the main
entrance and is built in such a way that the devotee can worship both Lord and
Mother simultaneously.
There are shrines of Lord Muruga with His consorts Valli
and Deivanai, Navagrahas the nine planets in standing form and Mother
Mahalakshmi in the prakara the corridor. Shri Bhairava with His eight hands is facing
south.
Special
pujas are performed for him during Ashtami times. It is noteworthy that famous
Lord Shiva temples praised in Thevaram hymns are near this temple in Koovam and
Tirupasur.
Mother Minnoli Ambal was ready to accompany blind Sundarar struggling to
walk with his stick but Lord Shiva prevented her from doing so. Indicating this event, we see the left leg of
Mother in a forward motion. Mother told Sundarar that life goes in accordance with ones
good or evil deeds. Though you have lost your vision now, you will regain it
shortly with the grace of the Lord She assured Sundarar. To help the saint, She also created a light as
lighting-Minnal in Tamil. Hence, Mother is worshipped as Minnoli Ambal and Kanivai
Mozhi Nayaki (Mother with assuring words). Those having no hold in life,
depressed, suffering due to lack of developments in professions are advised to
pray to Lord sincerely for a paradigm shift in life. To those concluding that life is but utter dark,
Ambica shows the light and instill in them self-confidence. Lord and Mother in this temple drag them from
despair. Hence, the temple is greatly praised as Nambikkai Koil (Trust Temple).
Saint Sundarar married Paravai
Nachiar in Tiruvarur. He also married Sangili Nachiar in
Tiruvottriyur who was a staunch Shiva devotee and also promised her that he
wont leave her. Lord Shiva was witness to the marriage and the
promise. Sundarar breached his promise and proceeded to
Tiruvarur. While he was crossing the borders of Tiruvottriyur, he
lost his vision. He understood that he was punished for violating
his promise and appealed to Lord Shiva. Lord did not respond to the
prayer.
Sundarar proceeded to Tiruvarur
facing all struggles and came to this place on the way and repeated his appeal
to Lord for vision. Lord Shiva kept mum but Sundarar was
unrelenting. He asked the Lord whether He was really there and if so give me my vision. Lord, though sympathized with His fond devotee,
gave Sundarar just a walking stick saying that He was there only and he could
proceed with the help of the stick. Bhakti-devotion has four branches. Satputra
Marga, Dasya Marga, Mathura Marga and Saka Marga, as a son, as a servant, as a
lover and as a friend respectively. The relationship between Arjuna
and Lord Krishna is of Saka Marga category and also that of Saint Sundarar and
Lord Shiva.
Sundarar demanded that the Lord
should grace him as a friend but the Lord was unyielding. Sundarar
became angry and argued with the Lord loudly but in vain. In a fit
of anger, Sundarar threw the walking stick granted to him which hit the right
horn of Nandhi breaking it. Sundarar proceeded sadly towards
Kancheepuram.
Moolavar: Oondreeswarar
Urchavar: Somaskandar
Amman / Thayar: Minnoli Amman
Thala Virutcham: Ilandhai Theertham:Kuchasthalai River, Kayilaya
theertham
Old year: 1000-2000 years old
Historical Name: Pazhampathi, Tiruvenpakkam
The temple is praised in the Thevaram hymns of Saint Sundarar. In
a hymn, Sundarar appeals to Lord Shiva for a remedy to his impaired vision and
feels sure that the Lord had assured him His grace and asked to proceed.
Festivals :
1. Masi Mahashivrathri in February-March
2. Aipasi Annabishekam in October- November
3. Tirukarthikai in November-December are the festivals celebrated in the
temple.
Those facing problems in marriage proposals, vision troubles pray to
Lord and Mother for remedy.
Devotees perform abishek to Lord and Mother with honey offering Vastras.
Do:
- Do pray your Ishta Devata before pilgrimage to Temple.
- Do contact Temple Devasthanam information centre for enquiry, temple information and for Pooja details etc.
- Do reserve your travel and accommodation at Temple well in advance.
- Do bath and wear clean clothes before you enter the temple.
- Do concentrate on God and Goddess inside the temple.
- Do maintain silence and recite Om Namahsivaya or your Istamantram to yourself inside the temple.
- Do observe ancient custom and traditions while in Temple.
- Do respect religious sentiments at Temple.
- Do deposit your offerings in the hundi only.
Don't s:
- Do not come to Temple for any purpose other than worshipping of God and Goddess.
- Do not smoke at Temple.
- Do not consume alcoholic drinks at Temple.
- Do not eat non-vegetarian food in the Kshetram.
- Do not approach mediators for quick Darshanam. It may cause inconvenient to others.
- Do not carry any weapon inside the temple.
- Do not wear any head guards like helmets, caps, turbans and hats inside the temple premises.
- Do not perform Sastanga Pranama inside the Sanctum Sanctorum.
- Do not take much time while performing Sparsa Darshanam to God in Garbhagriha.
- Do not buy spurious prasadams from street vendors.
- Do not encourage beggars at Temple.
- Do not spit or create nuisance in the premises of the temple.