| Ravishwarar Temple | |
|---|---|
 The maingopuram of the temple | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Hinduism |
| District | Chennai |
| Deity | Lord (Shiva) |
| Location | |
| Location | Vyasarpadi |
| State | Tamil Nadu |
| Country | India |
  Shown within Chennai Show map of Chennai Ravishwarar Temple (Tamil Nadu) Show map of Tamil Nadu Ravishwarar Temple (India) Show map of India | |
| Geographic coordinates | 13°06′57″N80°15′42″E / 13.1157°N 80.2617°E /13.1157; 80.2617 |
Ravishwarar Temple is aHindu temple inChennai, India. Built during theChola period, the temple is dedicated toShiva. It is located at Murthy Iyengar Street in the northern neighbourhood ofVyasarpadi.
The temple dates back to theChola time.[1][2]
The main deity in the temple is Lord RavishwararShiva. "Ravi" orSurya, the sun god, worshipped and did penance for Lord Shiva here.[3][4] The temple has a 3-tier rajagopuram (main tower). It is said that the lord here was worshiped by the sun god. The sun god also bathed in the temple tank, known as theBhrama Theertham orSurya Theertham,[3] to get rid of hisBhrama Dosham (curse). The sun god is placed inside the sanctum of Lord Shiva, facing the east-facing Lord. Lord Shiva is worshiped along with theParvati.[3] The Shiva sanctum has aShiva Ling–shaped hole through which sunlight enters the sanctum.[3]
The sacred tree of the temple is Vanni.[3] Other trees in the temple includes Vilva and Naga Linga trees.[citation needed] Many visit the temple on Sundays to get rid of illness and to perform various pariharams.
Other shrines within the temple include those ofNataraja,Bhairava, Sundara Vinayaka (LordGanesha),Muruga along with his consortsValli andDeivanai,Ayyappa, and Navagraha sanctum.[4]
The idol of Saint Vyasar is also present in the temple. Legend has it that Vyasa worshiped and praised the Lord shiva, giving the neighborhood its name. later The temple was also worshiped by King Veechawaran.[3]
Special days of worship in the temple include Sundays, the first days of uttharayanam and dhakshinayanam (equinoxes),Makar Sankranti (Pongal day, around the 14th of January), Rathasapthami,[3] Aani Brahmmotsavam (June–July), Aippasi Skanda Shashti (October–November), Maasi Magham (February–March), and Panguni Utthram (March–April).[4]
On the tenth day of the annual Navarathri events, Mahisha Vadha (killing of demon Mahisha) is celebrated, during which a plantain stem is tied in front of the goddess's sanctum, along with leaves of the Vanni tree to personify Mahisha, and is chopped to mark the event of the killing of the demon.[3][4]
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| Chennai |
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| Tirunelveli district | ||
| Vellore district | ||
