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Last saturday I had been to a place Tirukkachur in the outskirts of chennai. There is a very old Sivan temple there(The priest said, the temple is around 1000 years old). Only after going there, my brother told me that there were 3 Sivan temples and not just 1!

1. Thyagaraja Swamy Temple.
The first thing that struck me was, that there was no Raja gopuram in the main entrance. There is this Sivan temple in Medavaakam. I forgot its name. There also, there is no raja gopuram in the main entrance. This temple is in the footstep of the hill. The village got the name after this temple, and this is the main temple.
It seems the temple was in a very bad shape and recently restoration works started happening.

This is a temple, where Lord Vishnu worshipped Lord Siva in the form of a turtle. It is depicted in the extreme left pillar of the natchathira mandapam. In case you are not able to find it, ask the priest. He will guide you :-)

2. Irandhitteeshwarar temple
Its not actually a temple. There is a single Siva Linga near a water tank. According to mythology(which the priest told us), Sundaramurthy Naayanaar had been to Tirukazhukundram. After that he wanted to worship Marundeeshwarar temple atop the hill in Tirukkachchur. When he reached this place, he got very tired and was hungry. He sat down. At that time, Lord Siva appeared as a brahmin and went to the village asking everyone for biksha. After that, he gave that food to Sundaramurthy Naayanaar. A Siva Linga is there at the place where Lord Siva fed Sundaramurthy Naayanaar.
There are high chances of you missing this temple. Whilst going from Thyagaraja Swamy temple to Marundeeshwarar temple keep looking towards the right. There will be a water tank. Right opposite that water tank is this Siva Linga :-)
Since Lord Siva’s footsteps are spread over the village it is considered to be very holy.

3.Marundeeshwarar Temple
Similar to Thyagaraja Swamy temple, There is no Rajagopuram in this temple as well. I checked out with the priest and this is what he told me. ‘These temples were built by Kulothunga chozhan I. And during those days, there was no concept of Rajagopuram. The concept of Rajagopuram was introduced by Rajaraja Chozhan’ According to mythology, if you worship here, you will be cured of all ailments(if any). And this temple is atop a small hill. And People do Girivalam here as well. And very popular during Pournami days.
By the way, this temple is open only in the mornings. But if you reach there in the evening around 4.30 or 5 and request the priest, he will do the pooja. The Girivalam took us just 45 minutes, since it is a small hill. And the path is very simple.
I liked this temple of all the 3. It was very rustic and had that old look. Try to be here when the sun is setting. Its really a beautiful sight, which no camera can do justice :-)

Location:
Tirukkachur is 4 kms from Maraimalai Nagar railway station. When you are coming from Chennai, go all the way till ford factory, take a U turn and then turn at the second left. You will reach a railway gate adjacent to Maraimalai Nagar railway station. Keep going straight for another 4 kms and you will reach the Thygaraja Swamy Temple.
I didnt see any buses there. So either go by car or bike. And call the priest Mr Nataraja Iyer before going. His number is +91-44-27463514. Do mention you want to visit the marundeeshwarar temple as well, since it is not open always!

It was a very pleasant evening. The place is very peaceful, and the temple is very beautiful. Do visit atleast once. You will really relish that experience :-)