Saptha Sthaana Shiva Worship at the Seven Great Shiva Temples in Mylapore, Chennai
There are seven great Shiva temples in Mylapore, Chennai. Most have heard of the famous Kapaleeswarar Temple, but how about the other six? In fact, many who visit the Kapali temple regularly have not even stepped inside the important Velleeswarar Temple just next door to it! This is not good, says the Sathguru, Guru Mangala Gandharva Venkataraman, who is no stranger to Mylapore, having delivered many invited lectures at the Kapaleeswarar, Velleeswarar and other temples in that area.
Sathguru Venkataraman further informs us that in olden days all these seven Shiva temples were considered part of one extended temple complex. In other words, these were not viewed as seven temples, but as one housing seven great Shiva deities. The Sathguru tells us that such a feeling of Oneness should come to be again. With this in mind, he has instructed us in the Siddha way of worshipping these seven Shiva deities. This is the Mylai Saptha Sthaana Shiva worship procedure of the Siddhas as revealed to him by his divine teacher Sri Idiyaappa Siddha
The key to this Siddha worship procedure, says Sathguru Venkataraman, is that devotees should offer worship at the six other Shiva temples first before visitng the Kapaleeswarar Temple. This is the Siddha way. This is the way to get the bountiful grace of Lord Sri Kapali and Mother Karpagambika many times over, he says.
Devotees should follow this worship procedure and work towards reviving this ancient method of worshipping all seven Mylapore Shivas together as One. When throngs of devotees take to this Saptha Sthaana Shiva worship, a new spiritual era for Mylapore will be ushered in, say the Siddhas.
"Mylai is Kylai," the saying goes. That is, Mylapore is Kailash itself! The Siddhas say that this is so only because of the seven great Shiva deities who grace this town. This is why that great general, Lord Sri Rama, visited this sacred town and worshipped that other great general, Lord Sri Skanda, at the Singaravelan shrine (which is part of the Kapali temple) in Mylapore. These deities are that ancient! Temples may get rebuilt, but these deities themselves are timeless. Such is the sacredness due to the seven Shivas here. So devotees should consider it a great honor to be able to offer worship at all seven Shiva temples here. They should consider it their sacred duty to revive the ancient Saptha Sthaana Shiva worship here.
Devotees should keep in mind that this seven Shiva worship predates Thiru Gnanasambandha's time. When that great devotee visited Mylapore, he followed the pattern and offered worship at all seven temples.
Just like the Saptha Sthaana worship of Thiruvaiyaru, Thirupazhanam, Thiruchotruthurai, Thiruvedhikudi, Thirukandiyur, Thirupoonthuruthi and Thiruneithanam, the Mylapore Saptha Sthaana Shiva worship includes
(1) Sri Karaneeswarar Temple, (2) Sri Theerthapaleeswarar Temple, (3) Sri Velleeswarar Temple, (4) Sri Virupaksheeswarar Temple, (5) Sri Valeeswarar Temple, (6) Sri Malleeswarar Temple and (7) Sri Kapaleeswarar Temple, in that order. This seven temple worship as given to us by the Siddhas will multiply the resulting blessings many times over. Those who wish for success in their endeavors, those who want to get married, those who wish for the birth of good children and similar boons will get the blessings they seek, say the Siddhas.
More information:
0. Seven Shiva Temples in Mylapore, Chennai
1. Sri Karaneeswarar Temple
2. Sri Theerthapaleeswarar Temple
3. Sri Velleeswarar Temple
4. Sri Virupaksheeswarar Temple
5. Sri Valeeswarar Temple
6. Sri Malleeswarar Temple
7. Sri Kapaleeswarar Temple
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