Peeking out from a quiet residential lane in Besant Nagar stands the Sri Rathnagiriswarar Temple. This temple is not just a place of worship. It is a testament to faith and a sanctuary of peace in bustling Chennai.
The Sri Rathnagiriswarar Temple has an ancient look. But it is fitted with modern amenities. The temple is neatly maintained by devotees and nearby residents. The sanctum and inner precincts are steeped in tradition. The approach and inner courtyard feature granite flooring and cement structures.
Let’s step back to 1968. Residents of Besant Nagar wanted a place of worship. They sought the blessings of Sri Abhinava Vidyatheertha Maha Sannidhanam. He visited Chennai and blessed the land where the Sri Rathnagiriswarar Temple now stands. The residents formed Bhaktha Mandali. It is a registered body that purchased land for the temple.
The members approached Sri Chandrasekarendra Saraswati Maha Swamigal of Kanchi. They sought his guidance. He prophesied they would find a Maha Lingam on the Thiruvanmiyur seashore. With faith, they searched and located the Mahalingam Vigram. On March 7th, 1970, they placed it on a sandy pedestal where the Sri Rathnagiriswarar Temple’s Garbhagraham stands today.
The main deity here is Sri Rathnagiriswarar. He is an incarnation of Lord Shiva. His consort Goddess Aralakesi blesses devotees alongside him. The Maha Lingam was found on the shores of the Bay of Bengal. Sri Chandrasekarendra Saraswati Swamigal guided this discovery.
Inside, you will find shrines for Vinayakar, Valli Devasena Sametha Subramaniyar, Seetha Lakshmana Sametha Kodandaramar and Adi Shankarar. Other deities reside in the Ghoshtams. They were created per the guidance of Sri Maha Swamigal of Kanchi Kamakoti Peedam.
The temple’s architecture is unique. The Swami Vimanam has five tiers. The Ambal Vimanam has three tiers. Sri Ramar Vimanam has two tiers. The first Kumbhaabhishekam was performed in 1975. After constructing the Rajagopuram, another Maha Kumbhabhishekam occurred on June 18th, 1992.
The Sri Rathnagiriswarar Temple is open from 6:30 AM to 11:00 AM and 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM. Special poojas are held for Pradosham, Maha Shivaratri and other festivals. These celebrations follow Vedic traditions. The temple’s landline number is +91 44 2491 0405. The mobile number is +919025355828.
Located on 6th Cross Street in Besant Nagar, the temple is easily accessible. It is 100 meters from Besant Nagar Bus Stop. It is 800 meters from Ashta Lakshmi Temple. Kotturpuram MRTS Railway Station is the nearest station.
So, as you leave the Sri Rathnagiriswarar Temple remember its story. From a prophecy to a sacred space, this temple embodies faith. It offers solace to all who seek it.