One of the lesser known temples around Chennai that is in a stunning, picturesque location is the Kailasanathar temple on the banks of Paalaru river on ECR, just after Kalpakkam.
The village is named Parameswara Mangalam and the name says all. If not for the temple, the village has nothing but agriculture.
Normally you would only see commercial activities in the proximity of a highway, but this village, though very close to the highway, is an unspoilt marginal village.
Lush green paddy fields, minor canals from the Paalar river, clean blue sky, small houses spread far from each other & of course the temple is all you get to see. Google map can be a dependable friend, for, you may not get to see a human being who can guide you to the temple.
Right after the Paalar river bridge, take a right turn and enter the 15 feet black topped road. Drive for 3-4 kms along a zig zagged village road you will reach the temple. The last 100 metres would be a dirt track but you have enough place to park your car or to reverse, in the end.
Lord Shiva & Parvathi bless the devotees as Kailasanatha and Kanakambiga. There are separate shrines for Vinayaka, Dakshinamurthy, Murugha and Bhairava.
At the entrance to the main shrines there is a lion pillar as well as an inscription from the time of the Pallava king Nrupathunga. Based on his reignal years (869-880), this temple may be dated to the latter part of the 9th century, when this place was called Saileshwaram.
There is also a rock with nearly ten marks/ holes which are believed to be the foot/ knee mark of Parvathi Devi who came here climbing the rocks here, in search of Shiva who was hiding.
On a normal day the temple is open for a little more than an hour in the morning and again in the evening. Considering that this is a remote village and location of the temple is quite isolated, it is better to travel to the temple when it is bright and sunny. Avoid reaching the temple closer to sunset. (Temple timings - 8:30 am-10:30 am 4:30 pm -6:00 pm.)
Being a stand-alone temple with no commercial activity nearby, availability of flowers, pooja items and water near the temple is very unlikely.
Google map coordinates: https://maps.app.goo.gl/JjSkDzq7FesT6zAX7
Another lovely temple not far from this village (3 kms) is Vaayalur Tirupuliswarar temple that is 1200 plus years old, one of the Shiva-Vishnu temple complex constructed by the Pallava kings. (Google map coordinates https://maps.app.goo.gl/a1Nux78HRD3o8QFHA)
If you want to combine devotion and a good drive, this is a nice choice.
Don't mix drink and drive but no harm in mixing devotion with a drive.
