Shri Veerupakshishawar Temple at Mylapore

This is the fourth Shiva temple of Sapta Sthana temples of Mylapore. It is situated in Bazar road near Shri Karaneeshwarar Temple. This may be the oldest temple in Mylapore. The present structure must be more than 1000 years old. In the sanctum sanctorum there are stone inscriptions dating to 11th century. 

Moolavar: Shri Virupaksheeshwarar
Devi: Shri Vishalakshi

Kshetra Purana:

This temple is believed to be constructed by Shivanesa Chettiyar. He had a daughter named Angampoompavai. He wanted to get her married to Shaiva saint Thirudnyanasambandhar. But she died of snake bite. Shivanesa Chettiyar took her ashes to Shri Sambandhar who sang a sacred hymn and made her raise from the ashes. Sambandhar refused to marry her stating that he was like her father as he had given her life. Angampoompavai spent rest of her life as an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva. 

Salient features:

1. Shiva linga is comparatively very big.

2. Sage Kutsa worshiped Lord Shiva at this place.

3. Shri Sundarmurty Nayanar had darshan of Tandava nrutya of Nataraja at this place.

About the Temple:

This is a south facing temple with a five tiered Rajagopuram. As soon as we enter we find the Arthamandap. The shiva linga is facing the east. The entrance to the sanctum sanctorum is very small. 

At the entrance on the side of the Rajagopuram we find shrines of Selva Vinayaka and Balaganduda Pani. Virupam means against nature. Lord Shiva has three eyes which is a Virupam and hence he is praised as Virupaksheeshwarar. Akshi means eyes. The shiva linga at this place is presumed to have three eyes. Hence Lord Shiva is praised as Virupaksheeshwarar. The shiva lingam is comparatively big. 

Koshtamurtis are Nardana Vinayaka, Lord Dakshinamurti, Lord Balavinayakar, Lord Brahma and Goddess Durga. Ambika’s shrine is facing  the south in the Arthamandap. There is a Bali peeth in the front of the shrine which is very unique. Lord Brahma and Lord Shiva’s idols are near the Ambika’s shrine. In the prakaram we also come across the shrines of Lord Subramanya with his consorts, Lord Nataraja, shaiva saints Nalavar, Lord Shanishwar, Lord Sandeshwarar. Besides these we find utsav murtis and the shrine of Navagraha in the parikrama. 

Prayers: 

Devotees believe that taking bath in a temple tank and worshiping Lord Shiva at the temple cures diseases. 

Pooja:

Regular daily, weekly and monthly poojas

Festivals:

Usual festivals that are celebrated in all Shiva temples.

Timing: 6.30 am to 11 am, 4.30 pm to 8.30 pm

Address: Shri Virupaksheeshwarar temple, P.V. Kovil street, Karaneeshwarar Puram, Mylapore 600004

Phone: +91 4424981893

Courtesy: Various websites and blogs