Vadapalani Andavar Temple, Hindu temple in Vadapalani district of Chennai, India
Vadapalani Andavar Temple is a Hindu temple located in the Vadapalani neighborhood of Chennai in Tamil Nadu. The compound includes separate areas for Varasithi Vinayagar, Sokkanadar Shiva, Meenakshi Amman, and Kali, each housed in their own shrines within the temple grounds.
A merchant named Annaswami Nayakar established a small thatched shrine here in 1890 after finding a Murugan portrait near a well. The original structure was later replaced with permanent stone buildings to accommodate the growing number of visitors.
The complex takes its name from the Vadapalani district and honors Andavar, the deity worshipped here in portrait form. Visitors can watch devotees offering prayers at the different shrines and presenting flower offerings.
The complex opens at 5:30 AM for early morning prayers, followed by the Kalasandhi puja at 7:00 AM. Visitors should wear modest clothing that covers shoulders and knees, and footwear is removed before entering shrine areas.
The main tower displays carved scenes from the Kanda Puranam that depict different episodes from Lord Murugan's life. These visual narratives help visitors understand the mythological stories through images, even if they are unfamiliar with the written texts.
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