Chandramouleeswar Temple,
Thiruvakkarai – The Temple
This Temple is facing towards east with seven tiered Rajagopuram. The Rajagopuram is about 85 feet tall. The temple covers an area of about 10 acres with three prakarams. There is a front Mandapam before the Rajagopuram. Stucco images of Rishabaroodar flanked by Vinayaga and Muruga can be seen at the top of the Mandapam. The entire temple complex is enclosed completely within granite walls.
The Temple Complex has three major shrines namely Vakra Kali Amman Shrine, Chandramouleeswarar Shrine and Varadaraja Perumal Shrine. Though the presiding deity is Chandramouleeswarar, Vakra Kali is more famous in this temple complex. Vakra Kali Shrine can be seen immediately after the Rajagopuram. There is a newly built Mandapam connecting the Vakra Kali Shrine with Chandramouleeswarar Shrine.
Nandi and Balipeedam can be found in this Mandapam facing the sanctum. Chandramouleeswarar Shrine can be accessed via three tiered Rajagopuram. This gopuram is called as Kandarathithan Thirugopuram / Kili Gopuram. Shrines of Dwara Ganapathy and Murugan can be seen at the entrance of this Rajagopuram on either side. Dhwaja Sthambam can be found immediately after this Rajagopuram facing the sanctum.
Usually, one can see the main deity from the entrance of the temple itself, however, in this temple the main deity is not visible from the entrance because the Rajagopuram, Dhwaja Sthambam (flag post), Balipeedam, Nandhi and main deity are not in a straight line. Each one of them is slightly away from the other. They are Vakra in nature (contradictory to tradition). Dhwaja Sthambam (flag post) is slightly on the north side.
Chandramouleeswar Shrine:
For brief details, please refer below link;
Vakra Kali Shrine:
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Kanda Lingam Shrine:
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Vasantha Mandapam:
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https://explore-pondicherry.blogspot.com/2020/09/chandramouleeswar-temple-thiruvakkarai.html
Deepalaksmi Shrine:
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Amirthambigai / Vadivambigai Shrine:
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Kundalini Maharishi Samadhi:
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Varadaraja Perumal Shrine:
For brief details, please refer below link;
Sahasra Lingam Shrine:
There is a shrine for Sahasra Linga behind Varadaraja Perumal Shrine. The distinctive feature of this Lingam is that it has 1,008 Lingams carved on the main Lingam.
Navagraha Shrine:
There is a shrine for Navagrahas behind Varadaraja Perumal Shrine. The crow, the vahana of Sani Bhagwan, is facing the left side against the traditional right side. Here Sani is Vakra in nature (contradictory to tradition). Hence, he is called as Vakra Sani. Those facing Vakra Sani period (sometimes planets use to move retrograde called Vakra), pray here for relief from its effects.
Nataraja Shrine:
Nataraja Shrine can be seen at the
back side of Chandramouleeswarar Shrine. He is found dancing the Vasantha
Thandava where his left leg is placed on the ground and his right leg is lifted
up against the tradition of his right leg placed on the ground and left leg lifted
up. His hair is tied up and not flowing as depicted in other temples. Here, Nataraja
is Vakra in nature (contradictory to tradition).
Murugan Shrine:
There is a shrine for Lord Murugan in the temple premises. He is gracing the devotees with twelve hands seated on Peacock along with his consorts Valli and Devasena. Saint Arunagirinathar had praised Lord Murugan of this temple in his Thirupugazh hymns.
Sapta Matrikas Shrine:
Idols of Saptha Matrikas namely Varahi, Indrani, Kaumari, Vaishnavi, Brahmini, Maheshwari and Chamundi can be seen inside the temple premises. This shrine can be seen immediately after the second level Rajagopuram on the left side. It is said that Vakra Kali Amman herself present here in the form of Chamundi. These idols are dated to Pallavas based on the architectural style.
Other Shrines:
Shrines and Idols of Bikshadana,
Lingodbhava, Arthanareeswarar, Nagas, Bhairava, Kala Bhairava, Agasthya Lingam, Shodasa Lingam (Lingam with 16
stripes), Vinayaga under a tree, another Vinayaga with 2.5 feet tall Mushika,
and Nalvar can be seen in the temple premises.
Theerthams:
Theerthams associated with this temple are Surya Pushkarini, Chandra Pushkarini and Varaha River. The temple tank is located adjacent to the temple.
Sthala Vriksham:
Sthala Vriksham is Vilvam Tree.
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