Sri Oondeswarar Temple is located in Poondi on the Banks of Poondi Lake and it is situated between Thiruvallur and Nambakkam. In earlier times this place was known as Thiruvenpakkam and the former Temple was there, it was later submerged within the Poondi Lake. Hence all those Idols were brought out and this Temple was built and came into existence from 05.07.1968 onwards. The full name of the Temple is Sri Minnoli Ammai Samedha Sri Oondeeswarar Temple. Some Devotees still refer Sri Oondeeswarar Temple as Sri Adharadhandeswarar by its former name. This Temple has dual entrances with the first entrance on the South and the next entrance on the East. The Eastern entrance has been closed for security reasons. Hence Devotees can enter the Temple through the South entrance. On entering the main gate there is a South facing Sri Vazhithunai Vinayagar Sub Shrine. Within the Temple premises Devotees can enter either through the South or through the East. In both the sides there are around 7 to 8 steps to reach the main Temple. On the Eastern entrance there is a Dwajasthambam or Kodi Maram, a Neivedhya Peedam and a West facing Nandhi Bhagwan seated beneath a four pillared Mandapam. The Temple does not have any Rajagopuram but instead there is a small East facing Gopuram in which there are several Divine Idols of Gods are seen. 

Within the Maha Mandapam there is a West facing Sannadhi of Naalvar comprising of Appar, Sundarar, Thirugnana Sammandhar and Manikavasagar who are found along with Saint Sekkizhar. There is a West facing Surya Bhagwan Idol. There are two huge Dwara Baalaka Idols standing guard before the Moolasthanam. On one side of the Dwara Baalaka is an Idol of Sri Bala Ganapathy and on the other side of the Dwara Baalaka Sri Subramaniyar is seen flanked by His Consorts Valli and Devasena. At the doorsteps of the Moolasthanam and facing it is a small Neivedhya Peedam and a Nandhi Vaahanam. Close to them is an Idol of Sundarar seen in a standing posture and facing West. In the East facing Sanctum Sanctorum Sri Oondreeswarar or Sri Adharadhandeshwarar is seen in the form of a Shiva Lingam. This Temple has a South facing Shrine for Sri Minnoli Ammai or Sri Thadi Gowri Ambika Ammai who is the Consort of the Presiding Deity. There are two Dwara Baalakis standing guard before Her South facing Shirine and these Dwara Baalakis are known as Dwara Sakthis. Facing the Ambal's Moolasthanam is a Neivedhya Peedam and a Simha Vaahanam. The Idol of Sri Minnoli Amman looks Sublime and dazzling to the eyes of the Devotees and She is seen in a standing Abhaya Hastha posture seeming to Bless Her Devotees. 

There is a story behind this Temple which says that Sundaramoorthy Naayanar came to Thiruvennpakkam Temple and during that time his eyesight had almost failed and He was unable to see anything clearly. Anyhow a flash of light led him to the Temple and hence it is said that the Ambal's name was called as Minnoili Ammai. Perturbed in not able to see Sri Oondeeswarar and the Ambal, Sundaramoorthy Naayanar pleaded to God to help him. Instead of getting a sparkling pair of eyes Sri Oondreeswarar presented a walking stick to Sundarar. Therefore Sri Oondreeswarar is also called as Sri Aadharadhandeshwarar. Infuriated with the behaviour of God in not giving back his eyes, Saint Sundarar flung the walking stick on the God Himself. Instead of hitting the God the stick thrown by Sundarar struck one of the horns of the Nandhi Bhagwan due to which the Nandhi Bhagwan is seen with a broken horn even today. 

Around the Koshtam of the Moolavar Sannadhi are the Idols of Narthana Vinayagar, Dhakshinamoorthy, Lingothbhavar, Brahmma, Durgai and Chandikeshwarar. To the rear of the Moolasthanam of Sri Oondreeswarar is the East facing Sub Shrines of Sri Ganapathy, Valli Devasena Samedha Subramaniyar, Mahalakshmi and Naga Devatha. The Temple also has a South facing Palliyarai. In the Maha Mandapam the Idols of the 63 Naayanmaars are juxtaposed and they are all North facing. Close to them is the Navagraha Sannadhi. Vinayagar Chathurthi, Shasti, Thai Poosam, Aippasi Annabishegam, Shasti, Thai Poosam, Aadi Kiruthigai, Arudhra Dharisanam, Masi Magam, Pradhosham, Navarathri are some of the festivals are celebrated in a grand manner. 

Contact Details: Subramaniya Sivachariar 99432 09387, 90805 05542 and Karthikeyan Gurukkal 89399 27468

Temple Timings: 7 AM to 12 Noon and 5 PM to 7 PM

Distance from Nambakkam to Poondi is 5 Kms

Distance from Tiruvallur to Poondi is 12 Kms

Distance from Thiruvalangadu to Poondi is 27 Kms

Distance from Uthukkottai to Poondi is 17 Kms

Distance from Avadi to Poondi is 35 Kms

Distance from Thirumullaivoyal to Poondi is 37 Kms

Distance from Thiruninravur to Poondi is 26 Kms

Distance from Madhavaram to Poondi is 47 Kms

Distance from Minjur to Poondi is 50 Kms

Distance from Siruvapuri to Poondi is 42 Kms

Distance from Virinchipuram to Poondi is 125 Kms

Distance from Pallikonda to Poondi is 132 Kms

Distance from Chengalpattu to Poondi is 70 Kms

Distance from Guduvancheri to Poondi is 61 Kms

Distance from Kancheepuram to Poondi is 62 Kms

Distance from Maduranthakam to Poondi is 93 Kms

Distance from Thiruvottiyur to Poondi is 56 Kms

Distance from RedHills to Poondi is 39 Kms

Distance from Vellore to Poondi is 115 Kms

Distance from Nagari to Poondi is 60 Kms

Distance from Thiruttani to Poondi is 39 Kms

Distance from Suruttapalli to Poondi is 18 Kms

Distance from Chennai to Poondi is 54 Kms

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