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Sri Devi Ponniamman Temple, Kundrathur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu

Sri Devi Ponniamman Temple is located close to the Outer Ring Road in Kundrathur on the outskirts of Chennai. There is a West facing entrance with a Welcome Arch which has an Idol of Sri Devi Ponniamman in a seated posture with two Simha Vaahanam flanked on either sides. The Main Temple of Sri Devi Ponniamman is North facing. There is a Neivedhya Peedam or Bali Peedam and a South facing Simha Vaahanam on a four pillared Mandapam. The base of this four pillared Mandapam has North facing Idols of Sri Devi Ponniamman and Dwara Baalakis. Likewise there is a South facing Ambal Idol flanked by Vinayagar and Murugan. The East and Western side of the base beneath the four pillared Mandapam has various Ambal's Idols. A Trident is seen fixed to the ground close to this four pillared Mandapam.

There is a multi pillared Mandapam and the Gopuram of this Mandapam has North facing Idols of Sri Devi Ponniamman who is flanked by Ganapathy, Murugan and on the extreme end are two Simha Vaahana Idols. The inside of this multi pillared Mandapam has various stucco Idols of different Amman which are beautifully painted and they are seen on the top on all four sides of the Mandapam. Towards the Moolasthanam is another coloured Gopuram and Sri Devi Ponniamman's Idol is seen North facing. Flanking Her are Vinayagar, Murugan and two Simha Vaahanams.

Beyond this Gopuram is another rectangular multi pillared Mandapam. There is a short stone Dwajasthambam, a Neivedhya Peedam or Bali Peedam and a Simha Vaahanam looking towards the Moolasthanam. The ceiling of this multi pillared Mandapam is gorgeously painted in multiple colours depicting the 12 Raasis, Sri Chakkaram, a Trident, several Naagars and certain other designs making it look glittering to the eyes of the Devotees. The top of the multi pillared Mandapam has coloured Idols of Sri Devi Ponniamman, Lakshmi, Saraswathi, Sri Kasi Visalakshi, Sri Kanchi Kamakshi Amman, Sri Madurai Meenakshi Amman, Kanyakumari Amman, Adhilakshmi, Santhanalakshmi, Gajalakshmi, Dhanalakshmi, Dhanyalakshmi, Vijayalakshmi, Ishwaryalakshmi, Veeralakshmi, Mylai Mundakanni Amman, Samayapuram Mariamman, Sri Devi Karumariamman and Pudukkottai Bhuvaneshwari Amman.

The Moolasthanam of the Presding Deity of Sri Devi Ponniamman is North facing and there are two Idols of Dwara Baalakis who stand guard here. A gold plated threshold comprising of Lakshmi and Saraswathi and gold plated footsteps looks dazzling. Beyond this there are two more gold plated thresholds. The centre threshold has Images of two Yaalis etched on it. In the third threshold Images of the Ashtalakshmis are etched impressively. In the Sanctum Sanctorum the Presiding Deity of Sri Devi Ponniamman is seen North facing and in a seated posture. Her Head is slightly tilted towards one side and She holds a Trident in Her hands making is seen slaughtering an evil person which implies that She would destroy all evils. The Vimanam of the Moolasthanam has been beautifully designed with coloured Idols of Sapthamathas, Bhairavar etc.

The peripheral of the Temple has a Lotus Podium on top of which the Navagraha Sannadhi is seen. Next to this is a West facing Sub Shrine of Sri Vinai Theertha Venkadathan. To the rear of the Temple there is a impressive coloured Idol of Sri Devi Ponniamman who is seen ina standing posture facing North. She is seen with 16 hands and a Simha Vaahanam is beside Her. Then there is a North facing Alankara Mandapam and it has to be reached by 7 to 8 steps. There are two Dwara Baalakis who stand guard here. Then there is an East facing Sub Shrine of Saptha Kannigaigal and next to this is a Sub Shrine of a Naga Devatha. The last Sub Shrine is that of an East facing Vinayagar. This Sub Shrine has two Dwara Baalaka Idols on either side and facing this Sub Shrine is a Neivedhya Peedam and a Moonjur Vaahanam. There are two Sthala Virukshams on either flanks of this Temple. The inner side of the compound wall of the Temple has coloured Idols of all the various Ammans and these have been neatly arranged equidistantly. The Temple has a temporary roofing in which several mud ovens are seen. Devotees are allowed to cook Pongal as an Offering to God and they could use the place for eating. The Eastern side of the Temple has an entrance which leads to a Hall. This Hall could be used to conduct religious functions are Devotees who come in large numbers can also stay there after availing the permission of the Temple authorities.

The Sthala Viruksham is a Magizha Maram which has been fenced with a steel railing. A Magizha Mara Root which is believed to be more than 2000 years old is also seen within the two steel railings. The Temple has a Sacred Tank known as Ponniamman Pushkarani and it is located outside the Temple premises opposite to a Park. This Temple has ample car parking space outside its gate. This Temple gains prominence since it happens to be the Grama Devathai Temple for many of the Devotees who stay around this Temple. Likewise it is said to be a Kula Deiva Temple for many Villagers who reside in and around this area. This Temple is well managed by the authorities of Sri Nageswara Swamy Temple in Kundrathur.

Contact Details: Ganesh Gurukkal 99413 90570 and Malathi Temple Staff 96000 84269, 93446 01437

Temple Timings: 8 AM to 12 Noon and 5 PM to 8 PM

Distance from KK Nagar to Kundrathur is 14 Kms

Distance from Porur to Kundrathur is 9 Kms

Distance from Poonamallee to Kundrathur is 9 Kms

Distance from Vadapalani to Kundrathur is 16 Kms

Distance from Koyambedu to Kundrathur is 17 Kms

Distance from West Mambalam to Kundrathur is 24 Kms

Distance from Nanganallur to Kundrathur is 13 Kms

Distance from Triplicane to Kundrathur is 28 Kms

Distance from Thiruvotriyur to Kundrathur is 41 Kms

Distance from Selaiyur to Kundrathur is 17 Kms