Vadivudaiamman Udanurai Thygarajaswami Temple

Getting there

• By air

  The district page names Chennai Airport. No distance is given.

• By train

  The Tiruvottiyur railway junction of the Chennai Suburban Railway Network serves the area.

• By road

  MTC buses run to Thiruvottriyur from around the city, and the area has a bus terminus.

Why devotees come here

The Vadivudaiamman Udanurai Thygarajaswami Temple stands in Thiruvottriyur, in North Chennai. It is said to be the first temple created in the world, and its Shiva is worshipped as Aadhipurishwarar, the first form of Shiva. The Amman here is Vadivudaiamman, a form of Gnana Sakthi.

The temple is said to be the first temple created in this world. For that reason the Shiva here is called Aadhipurishwarar, the first form of Shiva. The Shiva shrine is named Thyagarajaswami, said to resemble Thygaesar of Thiruvaroor. The Amman shrine is Vadivudaiamman, a form of Gnana Sakthi who blesses people with wisdom and knowledge to survive in this world.

The temple floor is sand, which is rare for temples in Chennai. The sand makes the walk to the shrines soothing on the legs. The outer corridor holds many surprises, including 27 lingams, one for each birth star. Devotees pray at the lingam that matches their star. Every year the marriage occasion is marked with a big carnival in the temple.

The temple lies in North Chennai, the industrial part of the city, where refineries and transport offices stand. Thiruvottriyur is administered by the Greater Chennai Corporation.

Festivals

• Every yearMarriage carnival

  A big carnival is held at the temple to mark the marriage occasion.

Tips for your visit

• Visit early in the day, because the roads in North Chennai will test your patience.
• At the temple counter you can buy a garland for Amman and a ticket for special darshan.

Questions people ask