NEMILI - NALLATTUR - MATHUR - TIRUTTANI

Tiruttani can be covered along with three other important temples enroute. Namely:

• Vaikunta Perumal temple (Nemili)
• Veera Mangala Anjaneya temple (Nallattur)
• Mahishasuramardhini temple (Mathur)

NEMILI

Route from Chennai to Nemili is as follows:

While driving through the Chennai-Tirupathi National Highway No.205, after Kanagama chathiram, before reaching Tiruttani, turn right along the temple that reads "Kamatchiamman udanurai Choleswarar" and the following nameboard will guide us to Nemili.There comes a junction where one can find this nameboard to have diversion to Nemili.

                             (Milestone showing diversion to Nemili)

Take the right side road and travel around 7 km to reach Nemili temple. The main deity is “Sridevi Bhoodevi Sametha Vaikunta Perumal” who is larger than lifesize in the sitting posture. Gigantic and awesome idol, indeed!


Temple history:
 The temple is said to be more than 1000 years old and it is an Abhimana Sthalam i.e., Sage Narada was feeling sorry that Swami Venkatachalapathy had been in standing position for yugas, and requested him to be seated for a while. So, the Lord gracefully considered Narada’srequest and hence the sitting posture.

                                      (Temple view from the entrance)

                                          (Temple compound)

This temple is also supposed to be the parihara sthalam for those who have raghu - kedhu dosha. Lot of devotees visit here frequently to get rid of the doshas which prevent them from getting married, childbirth, promotions etc. The chief priest is a dedicated person, who conducts these parihara ceremonies for the devotees. He is an astrologer by himself and also deals with matrimonial formalities. His house is just in front of the temple.

                       (Whole temple campus as seen from the entrance)

 There are also sannidhis for Garudazhwar, Lord Vinayaga and Lord Anjaneya. A huge sacred fig tree (arasa maram in tamil) was in the circumbulating corridor.

NALLATTUR

We once again reach the junction which divided the road into two, and now took the left side road, to reach Poonimangadu village and then to Nallattur. The temple is approximately 10km from the junction.

         (Milestone showing diversion to Poonimangadu at junction)

Before crossing the Kusasthalai river bridge, the arch of the Anjaneya temple is just visible on the left side. 

                            (Temple entrance adjacent to the bridge)

A huge statue of Yoga Anjaneya welcome us in the temple premises. The Anjaneya idol in the sanctum is said to belong to Vyasa raja period and the temple is also very ancient. But some 12 years before a beautiful temple has been constructed by some private people who are been maintaining it till now. The temple atmosphere is very calm, peaceful and neat.

                  (Huge Yoga Anjaneya statue at the entrance)

                           (The calm temple campus)

As we enter the temple, a long corridor lead us to the sanctum where Jaya Veera Mangala Anjaneya is blessing his devotees. The God’s face is childlike and his tail extending above his head and his hands showing Abhaya Hastham. There are sannidhis for Srirama, Sita and Lakshmana in Pattabisheka kolam, Lord Vinayaga, Navagraha with their vahanas, and so on. 

           (Kusasthalai river and the bridge as seen from temple premises)

                      (Dwajasthambam and Navagraha inside the temple)

Lot of flowering plants and shady trees make the temple premises cool and breezy. The adjoining kusasthalai river, is a treat to watch, even though there was no water. It is a very small village, and except for a few shops which sell pooja articles and tender coconuts, we cannot see any other shop in the neighbourhood. 

                                  (The long extending corridor to sanctum)

This temple has lot of devotees pouring in and hence open on most of the times and is closed only between 12.30p.m and 4.00p.m.

MATHUR

Reach the Chennai - Tirupathi road, i.e., NH 205, near Tiruttani and drive parallel to the Renigunta - Chennai railway track. After Ponpadi railway station, there is a railway level crossing. Cross the railway track, drive straight for 2 minutes to reach the entrance of the Mahishasuramardhini temple in Mathur.

                              (Entrance to Mahishasuramardhini temple)

                             (Panoramic view of the temple campus)

The main temple has a vast corridor with colourful pillars with a scenic backdrop of the Tirupathi hills. Lord Vinayaga and Om Shakthi sannidhis welcome us where lot of lemon lamps are lit, Mahishasuramardhini Amman is the main deity and is visible even from a distance.

                              (Colourful painted corridors of the temple)

The Goddess is so charismatic that even while killing the demon Mahishasura with her “Soolam” at her feet, she presents a smiling face, which is a rarity. The sculpture with Ashtabujam, i.e., eight hands with four on either side, each holding a weapon, is adorned with Sandal paste (sandana kaappu) when we had gone there. A rare sight of the skull garland which the Goddess was wearing could be seen that day (only on the day when sandana kaapu is applied), which is not possible on other days when the Goddess is adorned with saree.

                                 (Neem tree in temple that never tastes bitter)

                              (View of Tirupathi range from temple campus)


Temple history:

In 1954,while laying the railway track between Chennai and Tirupathi, this Goddess appeared as swayambu to a group of workers in this place. Stunned by the charm of the Goddess, they constructed a small temple for her in this place which later developed into a big temple as it is now. Another unique feature here is the sthala vruksham (Temple tree) which is the neem tree. Its leaves do not taste bitter. It is a testimonial of the fact that the Goddess absorbs all our problems and relieves us of all our difficulties, and blesses us with a sweet life.

                                      (Smiling goddess in the sanctum)

This temple is open from 6.30a.m to 1.00p.m and 4.00p.m to 8.30p.m. on alldays. During New moon and Full moondays, milk abishekham with 108 litres of milk, and special homams are conducted on a very grand scale. From this temple, Tiruttani is just a few minutes drive.

TIRUTTANI

The shining golden Vimana of the SubramaniyaSwamy temple captured our eyes at a distance itself. Find no words to describe the fabulous lustre and the intricate architecture of the golden gopuram!

                                 (Golden main vimanam at Tiruttani)

The entire temple complex was sporting a brand new look with all towers painted fresh. As cheerful as ever, the pilgrims all over the temple premises, shops and vendors, the picturesque view from the hill top and the divine vibes we received there made us dumb with astonishment. And to top it all, Subramaniya Swamy was decorated with “Thanga Kavacham” which was a delight for our eyes and heart.

TOTAL DISTANCES FROM CHENNAI:

• NEMILI - 85km
• NALLATTUR - 95km (approx.)
• TIRUTTANI - 90km
• MATHUR - 90km to 100km

ALTERNATE ROUTE FOR THE WHOLE TRIP:

First go to Mathur, then turn left on NH 205 near Ponpadi, where you find the nameboard guiding to Nallattur temple, then to Nemili, and then finally visit Tiruttani.