Sri Oondreeswarar temple ( Poondi - Tiruvallur District)

Moolavar	:	Oondreeswarar
Urchavar	:	Somaskandar
Amman / Thayar	:	Minnoli Amman
Thala Virutcham	:	Ilandhai
Theertham	:	Kuchasthalai River, Kayilaya theertham
Agamam / Pooja	:	-
Old year	:	1000-2000 years old
Historical Name	:	Pazhampathi, Tiruvenpakkam
City	:	Poondi
District	:	Tiruvallur
State	:	Tamil Nadu

Temple History:

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 won’t 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

Greatness Of Temple:

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 one’s 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.

Thanks giving

Devotees perform abishek to Lord and Mother with honey offering Vastras.

General Information:

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 Amman’s 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

Prayers

Those facing problems in marriage proposals, vision troubles pray to Lord and Mother for remedy

Singers

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.

Festival

Masi Mahashivrathri in February-March, Aipasi Annabishekam in October- November,Tirukarthikai in November-December are the festivals celebrated in the temple.

Temple's Speciality

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.

Location : Poondi is 12 km from Tiruvallur. Bus facilities are available from Tiruvallur and Chennai-Poonamallee.
Near By Railway Station : Tiruvallur
Near By Airport :   Chennai