Shri Malleeshwarar temple at Mylapore

This is the sixth shiva temple in the sapta sthana shiva temples of Mylapore. It is located in Bazar road near Karaneeshwarar temple and a few meters from Virupaksheeshwarar temple. This temple is a very ancient one. 

Moolavar: Shri Malleshwarar

Devi: Shri Maragadha Ambal

Kshetra Vruksha: Neem tree and peeple tree

Kshetra Purana:

A shiva devotee named Parthanan from Ayodhya came to the south in search of land to perform a shiva yadnya known as Atirudram. Near Mylapore he came across a shiva linga on a small piece of land surrounded by Jasmine plants / creepers (in Tamil Mallee). He decided it as the place where he wanted to perform Atirudram. When he started the yadnya, Lord Indra became jealous as he felt that he might lose power and position. Hence he sent the celestial damsel Menaka to dissuade Parthanan. By the grace of Lord Shiva, Parthanan was able to complete the Atirudram yadnya without any disturbance. He received the blessings of Lord Shiva. He constructed the temple and named it as Shri Malleeshwarar Kovil as the place was among Jasmine plants.

Salient features:

Sage Bhrugu worshiped Lord Shiva at this place. 

About the Temple:

This is an east facing temple with a three tiered rajagopuram with a comparatively small entrance. The temple is very small but very beautiful as it is located in a narrow lane of Mylapore. The shiva linga faces the east and is very large. 

Koshta murtis: Shri Selva Ganapati, Lord Dakshinamurti, Lord Lingodbhavar, Lord Brahma, Goddess Durga and Chandikeshwarar in a separate shrine. There is Dhwajastambha, Nandi and Balipeeth. The kshetra vruksha Neem and Peeple tree are entwined. Ambika is in a south facing shrine and the idol is also large. In the prakaram we come across shrine of Lord Mahaganapati, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati under a peepal tree, Lord Hanuman, Lord Ayyappa, Lord Subramanya with his consorts, Lord Nataraja and Navagraha shrine. The idols of Lord Kalabhairav, shaiva saint Nalavar, Lord Bala Ganapati, Lord Selva Ganapati, and Lord Shanishwar are in the parikrama. There is a separate shrine for the utsavar Shri Kalyanasundarar. 

Prayers:

1. Worshiping Shri Kalyana Sundareshwarar (utsav murti) for six Mondays with Jasmine flowers removes marriage obstacles. 

2. Devotees believe that witnessing the Sayan graha puja for six weeks solves problems relating to child birth.

3. People offer special worship on Krishnashtami day

4. Special dance programs are held during pradosha puja

5. Mahashivaratri is celebrated on a grand scale. The concept based on darshan is depicted in the temple during this time which gives an insight of our culture. 

6. Devotees believe that the garlands exchanged during Kalyana Utsav (marriage) of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati if worn by an unmarried person and kept at home will bring in wedlock.

Festivals:

Usual festivals that are celebrated in all Shiva Temples.

Timings: 6 am to 11 am, 4.30 pm to 8.30 pm

Address: Shri Malleeshwarar Temple, 

Tyagaraja Puram, Mylapore

TN 600004

Telephone: +91 4424981893

Courtesy: Tamilnadu favorism blogspot, agasthiar.org, rslaks.blogspot.com