அழகாம்பிகை உடனுறை ஜம்புகேஸ்வரர் கோவில் (Azhagambikai Udanurai Jambukeswarar temple)

 அழகாம்பிகை உடனுறை ஜம்புகேஸ்வரர் கோவில்

( Azhagambikai Samedha Jambukeswarar temple)

On the Thirupporur- Chingleput road, Sembakkam is located approximately 10km on the southern side of the road. The town is easily identiable by a big arch on the left side, as you drive from Thirupporur. The temple is located approximately a kilometre from the main road. A Vinayaka mini-temple is the entrance to the temple complex. With his permission we are to cleanse ourselves in the temple tank, located just outside the temple. Fairly big one, in reasonable shape. We see a fairly large complex with compound walls, granite floors (partially at the outer praharams and fully inside the temple). Azhagambikai Udanurai Jambukeswarar temple constructed by the Chola King Ko Chengannan. According to legends, when Lord Muruga killed Soorapadhman (Soora Samhaaram) the head of the demon is believed to have fallen here and hence the place was known as Sirampakkam (Siram means Head in Tamil) சிரம்பாக்கம் Even today, the flag hoisting ceremony of Thirupporur Sri Kandhaswamy temple (for Lord Muruga) is done by the people of Sembakkam. It is said that Sri Aadhiseshan along with Vasuki and other Naga Kanyas worshipped Lord Shiva to get relieved of their sin as Sri Aadhiseshan spit Poison while churning the mighty ocean. Another story has it that Sage Naradha was explaining the sanctity of Sri Uthara Jambugeswarar to Lord Indra who didn’t pay much attention in listening to the sage. Indra apparently got into difficulties and worshipped Lord Shiva here. As per Sthalapuraanam, the king Ko Chengannan who was childless was traveling across the country worshipping Lord Shiva at various places. When he reached Sembakkam the axle of his Chariot broke down here and he was resting at this place. Lord Shiva appeared in his dreams and directed him to build a temple here, where He would be called Sri Jambugeswarar along with Goddess Sri Azhagaambigai. The king built this temple for Lord Shiva and was blessed with a child.

The temple is midsized, as is typical of most of the temples in the Chennai-Kanchipuram-Tiruvallur belt. What strikes us most is, that even in a remote location as this, we saw atleast twenty volunteers from the village were helping the priests in making arrangements for the Panguni Uthram Wedding ceremony to be performed later in the evening today. Hell or Heaven, service to God does not stop and we saw that with our own eyes today.

Being a Sunday and a festival, we could see some devotees from nearby towns or from Chennai, but it is very unlikely that the temple may receive more two or three devotees in a day. Notwithstanding this (assumed) low attendance, the temple is extremely clean and beautifully maintained. The temple priest Nagarajan Gurukkal mentioned that the temple has poojas thrice a day. Temple is open between 730 am to 930 am; 11 am to 1230 pm and later 530pm to 800 pm. A lovely Vimanam each for Swamy and Ambal, Dwajasthambam (shining in sunlight), a big presiding Linga Jambukeswara, a true-to-life Ambal Azhagambikai, Nandi Ganesha, Murugha, Goshtamurthis, Surya, Bhairava and Navagrahas bless the devotees. The temple is said to be 1500 years old and the divinity commensurate with this vintage and Sthala’s greatness are visible. Navagraha shrine, understandably, seems to be a recent addition. The temple receives meagre grant from the Government. As one of the boards indicate, the Tamil Nadu Government has placed a princely sum of 1 lakh in FD, from the interest of which one kaala pooja has to be performed. That translates to approximately a contribution of 33 Rupees per pooja . I must (gratefully) appreciate the will of the devotees and the temple staff. Not only are they maintaining the temple well, but are in the process of constructing the Raja Gopuram on the eastern side. Amazing temple in all its glory & tranquillity. Must-visit temple, if you are the one looking for a non-commercial temple, where you would like to be all alone in the shrines of this vintage temple.

Om Namah Shivaya