Lord Vaideeswara Temple lies at the end of the Poonamallee High Road in
Thirumazhisai. Dedicated to
Lord Shiva, the temple stands as a monument, commemorating the greatness of the
Chola Dynasty. It was built 1,500 years ago by King Kulothunga Chola I.
The main sanctum enshrines Lord Vaideeswara in the form of a Linga. Goddess Thailambal stands to his left in the abhaya pose full of compassion. The main inner enclosure houses the deities of Lord Muruga with his consorts Valli and Devayanai. A lofty gopuram is seen at its entrance and is enclosed by a huge wall. The high dwajasthamba is made out of a single tree trunk. Behind the dwajasthamba sits a Nandi facing Lord Vaideeswara. Lord Ganesh is seen in the abhaya pose.
The sanctum is beyond a quadrangle where there is the
navagraha, a special place for Surya, a pillar for Lord Hanuman and another pillar for a Siddhar named Karlakattai. There are also shrines for Mars and Saturn. The Saturn faces the south and is similar to the one in Thirunallar near Chidambaram. The figures of the four great saints Thiru Navukkarasar, Sundaramurthy Nayanar, Thiru Gnanasambandar, and Manikkavachakar are carved out. A tank is seen outside the outer enclosure.
