Thiruvembakkam(Poondi) - Thiru Oondreeswarar Temple

Thiruvembakkam Arulmigu Oondreeswarar Temple, located on the scenic banks of Poondi Reservoir near Tiruvallur, is one of the celebrated 276 Paadal Petra Sthalams immortalized in the 8th-century Tevaram hymns composed by Saint Sundaramoorthy Nayanar (Sundarar). Famous throughout Tamil Nadu as the divine site where Lord Shiva granted a golden walking cane (Oondrukole) to support the sightless Saint Sundarar, this ancient shrine holds a unique place in Shaivite devotional lore.

Overlooking the sprawling waters of the Poondi Reservoir (Sathyamurthy Sagar), the temple features a serene granite sanctum, Chola pilaster relief carvings, a sacred walking-stick shrine, and an ancient Vilva grove. Devotees visit Thiruvembakkam to pray for physical support in old age, recovery from mobility afflictions, and divine vision.

The Divine Walking Stick Boon to Saint Sundarar (Oondreeswarar)

The principal sthala puranam of Thiruvembakkam is recorded in Sekkizhar's Periya Puranam. Saint Sundarar had taken a solemn vow at Thiruvottiyur to his wife Sangili Nayanar that he would never depart from her town. However, driven by his longing to visit Lord Nataraja at Thiruvarur, Sundarar broke his promise and crossed the town boundaries. As a consequence of breaking his sacred vow, Sundarar lost sight in both his eyes. Groping his way blindly across Thondai Nadu, he reached Thiruvembakkam. Standing outside the temple doors in darkness, Sundarar called out into the sanctum: "O Lord! Are You inside this shrine?". Lord Shiva playfully replied: "We are inside. You may go on your way!". Heartbroken yet trusting, Sundarar composed his Tevaram decad beginning with "Thambiranai Arupatai". Touched by His devotee's tears, Lord Shiva threw a divine golden walking cane (Oondrukole) out of the sanctum into Sundarar's hands so he could lean on it (Oondri) and walk safely. Because the Lord bestowed the walking staff to support the saint, He assumed the sacred title Oondreeswarar ("The Lord of the Leaning Staff").

This sacred shrine is enshrined in the 7th Thirumurai of the Tevaram by Saint Sundaramoorthy Nayanar.

• Tevaram Hymn by Saint Sundarar:

> "தம்பிரானை யாரூரன் தம்பிரான் அடிகட்கு > எம்பிரான் திருவெம்பாக்கம் மேவிய ஈசனை > நம்பியாரூரன் பாடிய பாமாலைகள் > செப்ப வல்லவர் சிவனுலகம் சேர்வரே." > > Translation: "Lord Shiva residing at Thiruvembakkam granted His divine walking cane to Sundarar! Those who recite these sacred Tamil verse garlands composed by Nambiyarooran shall attain eternal abode in Shiva's realm."

The temple is also extolled in Sekkizhar's Periya Puranam (Sundara Moorthy Nayanar Puranam).

• Chola Inscriptions: Epigraphical surveys by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) record Chola stone inscriptions preserved during the 1968 relocation. Inscriptions of Rajaraja Chola I document endowments of land for maintaining perpetual ghee lamps and Veda reciters.
• 1968 Relocation Charter: Formal records document the re-consecration (Kumbhabhishekam) of the relocated temple at Poondi on June 5, 1968.

• Architectural Anastyloiss Preservation: Landmark Indian heritage preservation project where a 10th-century Chola granite temple submerged under reservoir waters was fully salvaged and reconstructed on higher ground.
• Walking Stick Iconography: Unique sub-shrine housing the symbolic stone walking staff (Oondrukole) presented to Saint Sundarar.

• Four Daily Kala Poojas: Conducted as per Shaiva Agamic rites: Kalasanthi (8:00 AM), Uchikalam (12:00 PM), Sayarakshai (5:30 PM), and Ardha Jamam (8:00 PM).
• Oondrukole Support Offering: Special ritual prayer where senior citizens and devotees with leg/spine ailments offer wooden walking sticks to Sri Oondreeswarar seeking physical strength and mobility.
• Sundarar Guru Pooja: Celebrated during Swati star in Adi month honoring Saint Sundarar's walking cane miracle.

• Best Months: October to March (pleasant winter climate ideal for reservoir views and temple visits)
• Major Festivals:
• Sundarar Oondrukole Vizha (Adi month / July–August): Reenactment of the walking stick miracle.
• Maha Shivaratri (Feb–March): Night-long four-kala poojas and devotional singing.
• Panguni Uthiram (March–April): Annual Brahmotsavam.

• Tevaram Thirumurai Canon (7th Thirumurai by Saint Sundarar)
• Periya Puranam by Sekkizhar (Sundara Moorthy Nayanar Puranam)
• ASI Epigraphia Indica & HR&CE 1968 Temple Relocation Records
• HR&CE Devasthanam Archives, Arulmigu Oondreeswarar Temple, Poondi