The north eastern part of the ancient Tamizhagam has been a treasure house of ancient temples. This region comprises of historic places like Kanchipuram, Chengalpattu etc. saw its peak in cultural glory during 600 - 900 CE during Pallava rule. Later, the golden period extended with Chozhas ruling this region between 900-1300 CE. Under Vijayanagara empire between 1336 to 1675 CE, several temples underwent tremendous facelift. With changes in temple ecosystem over years, several ancient temples are fading into oblivion. Let us see one such temple with significant history attached to it.
This article is about a 1200 -1500 year old dilapidated Shiva temple in Saanur adjacent to Janakipuram near Chengalpattu, Tamilnadu. Janakipuram is about 10 km from Madurantakam on Madurantakam to Chennai highway. Completely covered with vegetation and unapproachable, this temple was brought to light by Annamalaiyar Arappani Kuzhu, a Chennai based voluntary organization which has years of experience of Uzhavarapani (Shramdhan).
Though locals know about this dilapidated temple, they were unaware of its glorious history & divinity. Locals called it as Boothalingeshwarar temple. When Kuzhu surveyed the temple before Uzhavarapani, the structure was crumbling. Team could also see snake skins at few places.
Kuzhu did Uzhavarapani here on 12.03.2017 by removing unwanted vegetation and trimming overgrown trees over the temple structure. Fortunately most of the murthis were intact and preserved. The Lord blesses here in a glorious linga thirumeni. From Devaprasna, we understood that the Lord is called Indhu Saaba Hara Easwarar while Ambal’s Nama is Chandrasoodambigai though Locals refers as 'Boothalingeshwarar'. Theertham is Chandra Pushkarani while Vriksham is Parijatham. In this place, Chandra was cured of a curse and hence this is a parihara sthala with Poorna Kripa of Chandra or Moon. We also understood that the Lord here upholds Sathya & Dharma. Hence anyone who practices Sathya & Dharma takes refuge in HIM are protected from stigma of dishonesty.
After Uzhavarapani, a temporary shed was constructed and daily Pooja was initiated with villagers’ efforts. We ardently pray this ancient temple is reconstructed and its ancient glory be restored.
Hara Hara Mahadeva
Credits to Shri. V. Ramachandran.
The google map link is https://goo.gl/maps/Pv6U8coX39Q8aQys9
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