vengeeswarar temple,vadapalani pic 1--5

Vadapalani derives its name from Vadapalani (North Palani) temple. Though the Vadapalani temple  is definitely the most famous, Vengeeswarar temple is probably older and a Chozha period structure with the "Gajabrishta Vimanam" (known as "Thoonganai Maadam" in Tamil) as it looks like the back of a sleeping elephant. With the installation of a new chariot and pilgrims from different parts of the city and the state, Vengeeswarar temple is also becoming popular. Few other popular but smaller temples are Chintamani temple in 100 Feet Road and another Pillayar temple under the 'Arasa' maram or big tree near 100 Feet Road.

The Vengeeswarar Temple is a Hindu temple situated in the neighbourhood of Vadapalani in Chennai, India. The temple is over 800 years old and one of the oldest Hindu temples in Chennai city. The temples is dedicated to Shiva who is called Lord Vengeeswarar and the goddess is called Santhanayaki Ambal. The entrance to this temple is crowned with a big rajagopuram adorned with several stucco images. Other deities: Ganapathi, Kasi Viswanathar and Visalakshi, Bairavar, Lord Subramanya, Goddess Gajalakshmi. There is a separate shrine for Lord Saneeswarar.

Festivals

Pradhosha pooja is one of the most important among the poojas performed to the Graceful Lord Shiva. In Shukla Paksha (15 moon days from New moon to Full moon) and Krishna Paksha (15 moon days from Full moon to New moon) the evening of the trayodasi (thirteenth moon day) between 4.30 p.m. to 6.00 p.m. is called Pradhosham. It comes once in fifteen moon days. Pradhosha time is especially meant for praying Lord Shiva. Praying during that time is believed to free the believers from their sins and gives 'moksha' (heaven) finally (hence the name Pradhosham).

வடபழனி சிக்னல் அருகே நூறடி சாலையை அமைந்துள்ளது சாந்தநாயகி உடனுறை வேங்கீஸ்வரர் சிவன் கோவில். புலிக்கால் முனிவர் எனும் வியாக்ரபாத முனிவர் பல புனித தலங்களை தரிசித்த பின், இப்பகுதியில் ஒரு சிவலிங்கத்தை நிறுவி வழிப்பட்டு வந்துள்ளார். அந்த இடத்தில் பல்லாயிரம் ஆண்டுகளுக்கு முன்பு சோழ மன்னர்களால் கட்டப்பட்டது தான் திருவேங்கீஸ்வரர் கோவில்.