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As Mother Kamakshi is regarded as the only Mother Goddess in Kancheepuram, there are no Ambica shrines in most of the Shiva temples here. Yet this is one temple with an exception with Mother Parasakthi having Her own shrine facing east blessing the devotees with Her sweet appearance. As Lord Shiva is facing west Merku in Tamil- He is named Mettraleeswarar. The word Thali (Mettrali) also means temple.

In the sanctum sanctorum of other presiding Lord Odhavurugeeswar, we can have the darshan of Lord Shiva and the feet of Lord Vishnu nearby simultaneously ensuring all prosperous life, according to belief. Saint Tirunavukkarasar praises Kancheepuram as a city of boundless education Kalviyil Karai Illadha Kanchi Ma Nagar. Hence, worshipping Lord Shiva here the devotee is gifted with good education. Though Tirumettraleeswar is the principal deity, the Rajagopuram and the main entrance belongs to Odha Urugeeswarar. The Pradosha puja is dedicated only to Nandhi the bull vehicle of Lord Odha Urugeeswarar.

Muyalagan, symbol of Ignorance under Lord Dakshinamurthy is on the left of the Lord differently against the right side.

100 Rudras, Seekandar, Veerabadra, Krodhar and Mandalathipathis, all totaling 116, had worshipped Lord in this temple.

Saint Gnana Sambandar who sang in praise of the Lord from the end of the street has his shrine there itself. As the saint is also known as Aludaipillayar and Sambanda Pillayar, the place is also namedPillayar Palayam. The place also has a name Pachimalayam.

Lord Vishnu reclining in milk ocean had a desire to have the form of Shiva Linga and approached Lord Shiva for the purpose. Shiva pleaded inability. But Vishnu did not give in and began penance on Shiva. Surprised at his determination, Lord Shiva told Vishnu that He could have His wish by performing penance at this place on His Swayambu facing west. Lord Vishnu came to this place, began penance facing east in a standing form after a bath in Vegavati River.

Saint Tirugnana Sambandar was visiting this place - Mettraliyur the same time, saw Lord Vishnu standing in penance. The saint thought it was Lord Shiva as he was at the back. Saint began singing in praise of the Lord. Vishnu in penance was moved by the divine melody and began to melt. When He got the Linga form, His Vishnu feet remained. Now too we have the darshan of both Shiva Linga and Vishnu feet at the sanctum sanctorum.

As Vishnu began to melt at the singing of the saint, the name came Odha-singing, Urugu-melting, Easwarar-God (Odhavurugeeswarar).

Moolavar:Tirumettralinathar,Othavurugeesar

Urchavar: Chandrasekharar

Amman / Thayar: Parasakthi/Kamatchi Ammai

Thala Virutcham: Vilwa

Theertham: Vishnu theertham

Agamam / Pooja: Shivagama

Old year: 1000-2000 years old

Historical Name: Tirumettrali/Tirukkachi Metrali

Sri Vinayaka of the place is praised as Siddhi Vinayaka. The temple has a 3 tier Rajagopuram.

Lord Shiva gave Himself to Lord Vishnu. Lord Tirumettraleeswar grants all boons to His devotees.

Devotees perform special abishek to Lord, offer vastras and nivedhanas.

Lord Shiva as a swayambumurthy graces in the temple facing west. There are two presiding deities in two separate sanctum sanctorums.

Festivals at Sri Tirumettraleeswar Temple

Maha Shivrathri in February-March

Panguni Uthiram in March-April

Skanda Sashti in October-November and Tirugnana Sambandar Gurupuja Ambica feeding the child with wisdom milk are the festivals celebrated in the temple.

Saint Sundarar in his Thevaram hymn says that how he could praise a Lord other than Him gracing from Tirumettrali as He enters the heart sooner thought of as a light, sweet as honey and nectar. This is the 2nd Shiva Temple in Thondainadu region praised in Thevaram hymns.

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.