Devotees attending kumbabhishekam at Sri Raveeswarar Temple in Vyasarpadi, Chennai on Sunday. | Photo credit: B. JOTHI RAMALINGAM
The Kumbabhishekam of the famous Sri Raveeswarar temple in Vyasarpadi was held on Sunday morning and thousands of devotees witnessed the event.
The temple, which was flooded every monsoon, has been raised from the ground and now stands 7.2 feet above the road. It used to be 4 feet below road level. The shrines of Sri Raveeswarar and Sri Maragathambal were raised along with the Maha Mandapam and the Ardha Mandapam as a single structure measuring 2,150 square feet. The majestic gopuram was also raised by 6.3 feet using jacks.
The previous kumbabhishekam was held on 22 February 2013. Balalayam for initiation was performed on 7 October 2024.
The sthala vriksham, the vanni tree, was safely placed inside the wooden enclosure. The temple also has a younger vanni tree. The temple, where Lord Surya is said to have worshiped Lord Shiva in the form of a lingam made of vanni wood and bathed in the temple tank, was renovated during the later Chola period.
The Surya Theertham temple tank was renovated last year.
The temple also has shrines for Sundara Vinayakar, Saint Vallalar, Saint Vyasar, Munai Kaatha Perumal, Subramanya along with Valli and Devayanai, Iyyappan, Kaala Bhairavar, Navagraham, Anjaneyar and 65 Nayanamars.
Published – 23 Feb 2026 04:47 IST
