Thyagarajar- Vadivudai Amman Temple
This Temple is a famous Divine abode dedicated to Shiva as Aadhi Pureeswarar and his consort, Tripura Sundari. This ancient Temple is in Thiruvottiyur, North Chennai. The main deity is also called Thyagaraja, and the Goddess is more famous by the name Vadivudai Amman (Amman means Goddess); hence, it is common for devotees to refer to this Temple as Thyagaraja Temple or Vadivudai Amman Temple.
Vadivudai Amman Significance
This Goddess is a highly revered divinity, hailed as an aspect of Gnana Shakti, the power of wisdom. Thiruvottiyur Vadivudai Amman is one among the trinity of Goddesses who form a holy triangle of feminine energy in and around Chennai city; the other 2 are Kodiyidai Amman of Thirumullaivoil and Thiruvudai Amman of Meenjur. The abode of this Amman is also highly venerated as one among the 51 Shakti Peetas, the energy centers of Divine feminine power.
The Legend of this Temple divinities
According to a legend, Shiva entrusted the fundamental function of creation to Brahma after Pralaya, the deluge. He also made a provision for the flood waters to recede and assumed the form of a massive fire to facilitate the receding and drying up of water. Subsequently, Shiva stayed here as a Lingam under a Magizha tree, which devotees worship as Swayambhu, the self-manifested Lingam. As this place is believed to be the land from where water receded first, it came to be called Aadhi Puri, the earliest place, and the Swayambhu Lingam, the Lord here, as Aadhi Pureeswarar.
As the deluge waters dried up here, the area also became Vatri Oor, Otri Oor, Thiru Otriyur, or Thiruvottiyur.
Another mythology involves the Supreme Trinity, Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. Brahma created Devas, the celestials, whose strength was the holy Vedas, and Asuras, the demons, who relied on muscle power. Once, 2 demons, Madhu and Kaitabha, stole the Vedas to weaken the Devas and hid them in the ocean bed. Then Vishnu, the Protector, sought and obtained support from Shiva and Parvati, took Matsya Avatar, the Fish incarnation, retrieved the Vedas, and brought the Vedic texts to this place where they were reassembled and purified in the presence of this Temple deities.
Shiva is also said to have emerged from the anthill and blessed the serpent king Vasuki, who performed penance here and wore him as a garland. The principal deity, Aadhi Pureeswarar himself, is in the form of an anthill, usually covered with armor.
Temple History and Architecture
The many inscriptions in the Temple tell us that it was built by the Pallavas in the 7th century CE and expanded subsequently by the Cholas, particularly Rajendra Chola. Even Vijayanagara rulers, who came later, contributed to this Temple in the form of its metal/bronze idols, made in the 15th century.
Vadivudai Amman Temple is spread over an area of 1 acre and has a 7-tiered entrance tower and a tank. The presiding deity Shiva is enshrined in the sanctum as a Swayambhu Lingam in the form of an anthill, as Aadhi Pureeswarar or Thyagaraja Swamy. Shiva is also present as Otreeswarar in another shrine in the same Temple.
His consort Goddess Tripura Sundari, more popularly known as Vadivudai Amman, can be worshiped in a separate shrine in a seated posture. As in the case of Shiva, the Goddess is also present as Vattaparai Amman, apart from Vadivudai Amman. Nataraja, Ganapati as Gunalaya Ganapati, Subramanya, Dakshninamoorthy, and other divinities are also housed in the Temple.
We can also worship Goddess Kali here. It is said that Saint Adi Shankara, through his prayers and rituals, pacified this fierce Goddess and made her a compassionate deity. They have honored this saint in this Temple, and devotees can worship his idol behind the main shrine.
Temple Rituals, Practices and Festivals
The presiding deity generally remains covered with armor; devotees can worship him in his actual anthill form only during Karthigai Pournami, the Full Moon Day of Karthigai Month (November-December), for three days. During this time, they remove the armor and anoint him with traditional perfumes like punugu, jawadhu, and benzoin (sambirani) oil. Brahma, Vishnu, and Vasuki are also believed to worship him on these days. As the presiding deity Aadhi Pureeswarar is in the anthill form, they perform Abishekam, the holy bath, only to the base of the deity known as Avudayar.
The dance pose of Thyagaraja here is called Padma Natanam and is similar to the one seen in the famous Tiruvarur Thyagaraja Temple.
The Temple is also unique for its duplets- there are 2 presiding deities, Aadhi Pureeswarar and Otreeswarar; 2 Divine consorts, Goddesses Vadivudai Amman and Vattaparai Amman; 2 Sacred waters, Brahma Theertham and Nandi Theertham; and 2 holy trees, Athi and Makizham.
According to beliefs, Nakshatras, the 27 stars, worshiped Shiva here for cleansing themselves; we can see in the Temple the 27 Lingams they worshiped. It is also said that Shiva gave his Wedding dashan to Sage Agastiyar here.
Saint poets, known as Nayanmaars, have worshiped in this Temple and sung hymns in praise of the deities; hence, this holy place is counted among the 276 Shiva Temples praised in the Sacred Thevaram hymns.
Many saints, poets, composers, etc., have visited this Temple, prayed to the deities, and praised them through their songs. They include Pattinathar, Arunagiri Nathar, Ramalinga Vallalar, and Divine composers Muthuswamy Dikshithar and Thyagaraja Swamigal. Thyagaraja Swamigal, an ardent Rama devotee, was overwhelmed by the beauty and grace of Vadivudai Amman (Tripura Sundari) that he composed his famous Tiruvottiyur Pancharatnam, hailed as five gems, in her praise.
The 10-day annual Brahmotsavam to the presiding deities in Masi month (February-March), an 18-day festival for Vattaparai Amman, and a 15-day festival to Durga are among the many festivals celebrated here. Thyagaraja is believed to have displayed 18 dance types; on one of the days, they do the celebration of these dances.
Vadivudai Amman Temple Worship Benefits
Worshipping in this Temple can bestow Divine blessings on the devotees, cure illnesses, and grant them welfare. Devotees also seek Divine grace for the fructification of marriages and progeny blessing. People also perform Poojas to relieve themselves from the adverse effects of Nakshatras.
