Dropping myself at Parry’s corner market entrance, turning left and taking first left led me to a small street finding myself in front of Twin temples of Chennai- Sri Chenna Kesava Perumal temple and Sri Chenna Malleswarar temple. There are two entry point to the temple. You could enter via Sri Vishnu temple first then go towards Sri Shiva temple or vice Versa. Since distance is 10mts walk gap between both the entry gates, it is advisable to enter and exit via same gate where you leave your slippers.
I made my entry via Sri Chenna Kesava Perumal temple.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/sxizbzgAi2SVQxqj6?g_st=ic
This temple was built by Narayanappa Iyer in 1646CE. Some texts say Sri Bevithimannan built this temple, while some stories say SriChinnappa Nayak built this temple naming it Chenna Kesava temple. Some texts say years later this temple was rebuilt by Sri Manali Muthukrishna Mudaliyar who was a merchant with East India Company. He on building Sri Vishnu temple also built Sri Shiva temple giving an inner connection between two temples. These temples are also referred as Pattinam temples. Temples faces east with Rajagopuram’s portraying Dravidian architecture. When I entered I first stopped at main sanctum - Sri Chenna Kesavar.
I went straight into Legend Sannidhi. There are two entry points, however the straight entry is spacious and in mandapam format coming out on the left is Mata Chenkalamalavalli Amma followed by Sri Kondanadaramar, Sri Andal, Sri Narasimhar and Sri Sudarshanar. I also got to worship, Sri Alavandar, Sri Ramanujar and Sri Periyavar. At the end of Perumal temple, near the beginning of Lord Shiva temple I saw Sri Manavala Mamuni with His consort Mata Pillai Lokacharya. Another unique thing of this temple is, you get to worships Sri Rama Padam, while there is a room called mirror room-Kannadi arai. The whole temple is built in mandapam architecture. From here on the left there is a small entry welcoming you to Sri Chenna Malleeshwarar temple.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/SeXUWs4MJkt3xpVN7?g_st=ic
Lord shiva is also known as Sri Mallikarjunar here. History says when Sri Vishnu temple was constructed, Sri Shiva temple was also built simultaneously. The foundation was laid in 1648. History says Sri Nagappan gave this land as a gift to Sri Narayana appa, who planned the temple architecture. This temple is also called as Pattinam temples.
Here Legend faces east and the mandapam around Him is called as Maha mandapam. Koshta murthis are found around Him, while Lord Chandikeswarar is seen in the opposite direction. The mandapams are decorated with sculptures and colourful pillars. Sri Agora Lingam, Sri Vamadeva lingam, Sri Ishana lingam and Somaskandar are seen in the temple. Icons of Nalvar and Sekkizhar are present in the temple, where you would see Navagrahas too. Mata Brahmarambika is His consort seen in the outer praharam facing east.
Either you can exit from this temple or walk towards the small connecting passage between both temples, take a left round Sri Vishnu praharam and exit. Both temples share the same tank and have a common Ratha. Shivaratri and Vaikunta Ekadasi are celebrated in grand scale, while every month Pradosam and Ekadasi have four poojas. Besides Aadi month, Thai month and Navarathri are grandly celebrated.
Located in George Town part of Chennai, ruled by Nayak kings belief is name Chennai was named after Sri Chennapa Nayak. One of the oldest temples of Chennai, seen at the entrance of Paris corner, popularly called as - Twin temples of Chennai too. To reach this temple there are buses till parry’s corner main bus stand or you could book a cab get yourself dropped at the entry point of Parry’s corner. Same either you get picked at the point you dropped yourself, or walk to the opposite side for pick up, which is just 5 mts away. Since I travelled from Adyar, I crossed Santhome, Mari Since the temple has even surface and not much steps are seen, walking around the temple is easy. It took 45mts for me to see both the temples.
amazing just visited your review, However I can’t read Text in photo but Dravidian style Architech giving more vibrant feel to this ancient temple built around 1646 CE. I like both temple, amazing 