Varasiddhi Vinayagar Temple in Chrompet, Chennai, has many specialities

Varasiddhi Vinayagar Temple at Chrompet, Chennai, has been in existence for more than 60 years and has many specialities that attract devotees living in and around the locality.

Situated on Patel Street in Nehru Nagar, the temple was built in 1953, dedicated to Lord Varasiddhi Vinayagar. “Earlier, there was only the Vinayagar sanctum and later separate
sanctums for Lord Murugar, Durgai, Anjaneyar and Navagraham was built. In 1958, the temple came into prominence with the visit of Kanchi Maha Periyava Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi Swamigal as he stayed here for two days,” said V Balasubramanian, a temple official.

Six kumbabhishekams have ben performed in the temple with the first one being done in 1953, followed by the second one in 1965 and then in 1980, 1992, 2004 and 2016. In 2004, the old structure was demolished and a new one was built at the same place in a much bigger area with additional sanctums comprising those for Lord Shiva and Ambal.

Upon entering the temple, on the right side is the main sanctum of Varasiddhi Vinayagar, facing east. On both the sides of the deity are Lord Bala Subramania Swami on the right and Goddess Saraswathi on the left. “The Saraswathi deity here is a replica of the one present at Koothanur
Saraswathi Temple,” added Balasubramanian.

Going around the sanctum, on the left one finds a separate sanctum for Anjaneyar. On the right is Lord Natarajar. Built opposite the Vinayagar sanctum is a shrine for Lord Shiva, who bears the name Chandramouleeswarar. He faces west.

Adjacent to that is a separate sanctum devoted to Goddess Tiripurasundari, with the idol facing south. To the left of the sanctum is a small shrine dedicated to Swarnakarshana Bhairavar. At the back is the Navagraha. On the outer walls of the Shiva sanctum on the left one finds Durgai and Bramha placed adjacent to each other with Chandikeshwarar in front. Lingothbhavar is present at the back and on the right wall is Dakshinamurthi and Narthana Vinayagar.

“The temple’s speciality is Swarnakarshana Bhairavar. It is a very rare deity. Out of 60 types of Bhairavars, he is very special as this Bhairavar has Ambal on his lap as also a gold kalasam. This Bhairavar was first worshipped in Chidambaram temple.”

“Another speciality here is Lord Shiva faces west and His consort Tiripurasundari faces south, which is a rarity,” said the temple official. Speaking about the special poojas and festivals in the temple, Balasubramanian said, “During every Krithikai, the idol of Lord Muruga is taken around the mada veedhi. For every Sankatahara Chathurthi, homam is performed in the evening along with abhishekam for Lord Vinayagar. During Theipirai Ashtami, too, homam is performed for Bhairavar along with abhishekam. During Pradosham, Mahanyasam is performed. Mahanyasam is purifying the water by Vedic chants and doing the abhishekam for Ambal, Nandhi, Bhairavar and Lord Shiva using that water. After that Pradosha ula happens inside the temple where the deity is carried around. Every Tuesday, Rahu Kaala pooja happens for Durgai. And on Tuesdays and Fridays, women chant Soundarya Lahari and Lalitha Sahasranamam.”

“Chitra Pournami is a speciality here as on that occasion, Ekadasha Rudra Abhishekam takes place using 11 different items like milk, panneer (rose water), curd, sandalwood powder, tender coconut, etc. During Vinayagar Chathurthi, the processional deity is taken around Nehru Nagar in a procession. During Sivarathri four kaala pooja takes place. For Lord Natarajar, every year, six abhishekams are performed like it is done in Chidambaram temple. Every year, before Rama Navami, Seetha Kalyanam is performed. During the month of Aadi, vilakku poojai will take place and this year, it is scheduled for 2 August,” Balasubramanian informed.

Every year, 26 January, Thyagaraja Utsavam takes place with artistes participating in Thyagaraja aradhanai. Every year, 25 December, vastram donated by people is put up for sale.

The temple is managed by Sri Varasiddhi Vinayagar Chitra Pournami Trust, established in 2004.
The temple timings are 6.30 am to 10.30 am and 5.30 pm to 8.30 pm.