Kundrathur + Thiruneermalai

On the way back from Sembarambakkam Lake we checked the Kundrathur Murugan Temple which is located on a small hillock positioned between the Poonamallee and Pallavarm section of suburbs of Chennai. The temple is dedicated to Lord Murugan whom according to legend has stayed in this hill during his travel from Thiruporur to Truttanigai – one of his six homes generally known as Thiruthani).

The time we checked the temple, its sanctum has been closed and parents went around its corridor and I stayed back looking for pleasantness around the unclean environment. From the hillock we could see the far away lake and get to view the places around the hill. The small hill also has a road to temple top for peoples comfort and those who can’t climb the stairs.

What special about this temple they say was that Lord Murugan is seen along his both spouses Valli and Deivanai but one could not see him with both of them at same time viewing from side. Whether the temple is renowned for Lord Murugan or not, the hillock is popular for cinema shooting and many Tamil movies had been captured here, and thus what interested me to check this place for very long.

Built in the period of Chola dynasty by the King Kulothunga Chola-II, the Murugan in this temple is said to be north facing unlike other temples in Tamil Nadu.

Along the way back home we passed the Thiruneermalai which is few km from here is also a hillock temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu and it also has a foot temple similar to hilltop. The time we come across the temple it was on its renovation process and the foot temple tower was paint in bright colors and was closed for public visiting.

The temple owns a tank on the other side of the road, which has four sides of road called Maadavethi has planted by coconut trees and people residents. It was the time of margazhi (winter month in Tamil calendar) and so every gateway of the resident was colored by kolam and tank being filled at least cause a wonderful sight with the shadows of inner mandabam (hall) and things around.

This hillock and temple tank too is on the list of cinema shooting and the tank had been on many scenes as background and one of ‘Koundamanis’ renowned coconut comedy comes under this shadow and the hill stairs were on fought between villain gangs and heros.