Temples Of Chennai - Chennaites

Sri Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Temple was built in 1962, in resemblance of SRANANTHAPADMANABHA SWAMY temple in Trivandrum, Kerala. The main deity is Lord Vishnu representing on the mythological five-headed serpent.

The main deity to be worshipped through three doors, where through the first door, we can see the Thirumukhamandalam (face) of Sri Padmanabha and Lord Shiva under His Thirukaram (hand), the second door we can see Lord Brahma on a lotus that is originating from the navel of the lord, and the third door we can see the Lord's Thirupaadham (lotus feet). The significance of the three doors represents the life of people namely birth, life and death.

1956 THE CONSECRATION:

Ever since the formation of two the colonies of Gandhinagar and Kasturibanagar, many residents therein expressed a keen desire to have a place of worship near at hand. At the above meeting the residents met informally expressed the view that a temple in a centre place of Adyar to be brought forth with the co-operation of all concerned.

On 12th December, 1956 a society by name Adyar Hindu Religious Society was formed at the residence of Sri. A. R. Narayana Rao, #2, 2nd Crescent Park road, Gandhinagar, Adyar.

A committee led by Sri. A.R. Narayana Rao approached His Highness Maharaja of Travancore, Sri Padmanabha Daasa Chithirai Thirunaall at the palace in Adyar and requested him to allot a place in his vast compound near the bus stand for constructing the temple. His highness promptly encouraged the idea that the temple and suggested that it be situated in an independent premises outside the palace and that he would himself provide necessary funds to purchase a site. Accordingly the above society received a cheque for Rs. 7500 from His Highness to enable the committee to obtain a suitable site and establish a temple dedicated to SRIANANTHA PADMANABHA SWAMY.

1962 FIRST MAHAKUMBHABISHEKAM:

With immense pleasure and grace, SriKanchi Sri Sri Paramacharial offered powerful "yanthras" for the temple which was installed by Sri Sringeri SriSaradha Peedathipathi Sri Sri Abhinava Vidyatheertha Mahaswamigal during the installation of the main deities in 1962 (the 1st MahaKumbhabhishekam of the temple).

1976 SECOND MAHAKUMBHABISHEKAM:

On September 6th, 1976, MahaKumbhabhishekam was conducted by Sri Sakatapuram Sri Vidya Peedathipathi Sri Sri Ramachandranandha Theertha MahaSwamigal.

1988 THIRD MAHAKUMBHABISHEKAM:

On July 11th, 1988, Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted by Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peedathipathi Sri Sri Jayendra Saraswathi MahaSwamigal.

2001 FOURTH MAHAKUMBHABISHEGAM:

On February 11th, 2001, MahaKumbhabhishekam was conducted by Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peedathipathi Sri Sri Jayendra Saraswathi MahaSwamigal.