Hindu Temples
Idaichuranathar / Gnanapureeswarar temple - Thiruvadisoolam, near Chengalpet
15 Apr 2026
Thiruvadisoolam Idaichuranathar / Gnanapureeswarar temple is located
60kms from Chennai, 18 kms from Thirupporur and 9 kms from Chengalpattu.
The Thiruvadisoolam village lies between hills and
hence
the village was called Idaichooram. There is an entrance arch leading to
the temple. The Main deity is the maragada Lingam Idaichuranathar /
Gnanapureeswarar, and the Goddess is Imayamadakodi / Govardhanambikai.
The 7th century Idaichuranathar temple is the location where Lord
Shiva gave darshan to Thirugnana Sambandar in the guise of a
shepherd. A tired Gnanasambandar while on a visit to various Siva
temples, was resting under a tree on a hot day. Lord Siva in the form of
a shepherd appeared before him and asked him to sing the praise of the
Siva in that location. He led the surprised Gnanasambandar to the
temple tank called Katchi Kulam (the tank where Lord Shiva gave darshan)
and disappeared. Since the Lord disappeared mid way he
was called Idaichuranathar (idai - mid). This is the 26th Paadal petra
sthalam, where Thiru Gnanasambandar sang 10 songs in praise of the Lord.
Lord Shiva stopped Goddess Parvathi who wanted to accompany him to meet
Gnanasambandar. He said the child is likely to recognise the
mother who had fed him. The Goddess at the temple is seen with one
leg forward as if she is starting to walk. The Goddess also seems to have stopped midway after starting to meet Gnanasambandar.
Sage Gautama and Sanat Kumaras have worshipped at this temple.
According to another legend, a cowherd noticed one of his cows offer its
milk near a bush. They dug the area and found a Maragadha
Lingam. They erected a temple at the spot for Gnanapureeswarar and
Goddess Govardhanambikai. The maragada streaks are said to be visible
during honey abhishekam to the Lingam. There is a moat surrounding the
inner
sanctum. There is a relief sculpture of Lord Muruga with his vel placing
his right leg on his peacock vahana. There are sannidhis for other
deities - Vinayakar, Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Nalvars,
Bairavar, Daksinamurthy, Mahavishnu, Brahma, Goddess Durga,
Sandigeswarar around the sanctum.
In the outer prakaram are sannidhis of Brahmaandeswarar and
Brahmaandeeswari, Murugan with his consorts and Navagrahas. There are
three trees Vilvam, Neem, and Peepal in the outer corridor
considered to represent Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati and Vinayakar. There
is also a banyan tree in the outer corridor.
The temple was built in the 7th century and there are inscriptions found
in the temple dating to Chola dynasty and Vijayanagar empire.
As per the inscriptions this place was called as
Jayangonda Chozhamandalathu Kalathur Kottathu Valla Nattu
Thiruvidaichuram. Lord Shiva was called as Thiruvidaichuram Udayar,
Thiruvidaichuramudaya Nayanar and Ambal was called as Imayakodiammai.
The temple was built during Paramesuvaraman-I, period. 15 Inscriptions
are recorded in this temple. The inscriptions belongs to
Kulothunga Chozha-I, Vikrama Chozha-I ( 1128 AD), Rajanaraya
Sambuavaran-I ( 1340 AD), Viajayakanda Gopalan, Vijayanagara Kings
Viruppanna & Bukkan-II, Achutha Rayar. The Inscriptions mainly
records the gift of lands, aimpon Urchavar for Ambal, burning of
perpetual lamps. A had written manuscript also describes the
contributions of Kulothunga Chozha. An inscription ( AR 347 of 1906)
records the lighting of Ambal sannadhi, Mahamandaleswara Jalaka
Thirumalayadeva Maharayar period inscription ( AR 336 of 1908 )
records the endowment of lighting a perpetual lamp and Naivedyam to Lord
Shiva of this temple. The Inscription ( AR 346 of 1908 ) records the
construction of sanctum sanctorum for Ambal.
Source: wanderingheritager.blogspot.com
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Other temples in Thiruvadisoolam - Sree Karumariamman shetram, Srivaru Venkatachalapathy Temple, Sri Maha Bhairavar Rudhra Alayam
Related Links
dharsanam.com
Sathish Sankar's Vibes - youtu.be
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