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Even today, many in Tamilnadu consider an attack of measles
or chicken pox to be a visitation of Goddess Amman. Following the attack, after the person
has recovered, a visit to the Amman temple to thank the Goddess is a regulation that is
never defaulted. In ancient times, the people of Tamilnadu used to visit the famous shrine
of Periapalayam, where Goddess Bhavani gave her bountiful prowess to her devotees. The
problem of reaching Periyapalayam after many days of pilgrimage, prompted the
establishment of many a temple devoted to Bhavani Amman at Chennai. This is one of the
oldest and most visited temples on the Lattice Bridge Road, a few minutes away from the
Adyar Junction.
 As per Hindu religion, Bhavani Amman is said to be a Shipra
Devathai; that is a sub-deity to the main manifestation of Shakti like Sri
Kamakshi. The
kumbhabishekam of this temple was conducted in the year 1988 by Jagatguru Shankaracharya
of Kanchi, His Holiness Jayendra Saraswati. The most striking aspect about this temple is
the presence of almost all deities of the Hindu pantheon at one place.
Kothandarama with the bow accompanied by Sita, Lakshmana
and bhakta Anjaneya and Chandramowleeswara are present. While the Navagrahas grace the
temple, there is a separate shrine for Sri Sanieeswara enabling people who
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cannot visit
Tirunallar to worship him at Adyar. Lord Subramanya with Sri Valli and Devasana and Sri
Vinayaka are also present at the temple.
 On Tamil New Year's Day, one finds the picture of Sri Satya
Saibaba of Puttaparti in the temple with people offering floral worship. A few meters down
the road, towards Tiruvanmiyur one can find the temple of Samuchida Vinayaka. This unique
temple is said to be over 185 years old and the elephant Lord is said to have appeared on
the peepul tree which is still available in the temple. Vinayaka here is said to be a Raja
Ganapathi as the vigraha with its head tilted and thicker arms. The Shrew with a larger
head possesses the lakshanas of royalty. Samuchida Vinayaka is workshipped for fulfilling
one's wish. He was also known as Sambhandha Vinayaka in the past, as  he agreed with the
devotee on the fulfilment of his desires. The presence of Lord Lakshmi Narasimha in the
sanctom sanctorum assures fame and prosperity to the devotee in this temple.
Adi Sankara is also present in the shrine. The shrine of
Lord Ayyappa is decorated with silver armour on every Tamil New Year's Day. Separate
shrines are available for Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, Lord Gangadhara and Goddess Mangala
Durga.
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