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Legends say that during the Vamana incarnation of Lord Vishnu, Sukrachariar who was the preceptor of Asuras tried to prevent the gifting of land to Vamana by King Maveli or Mahabali. Angered by this uncalled-for intervention, Vamana poked the eye of Sukra with the darba grass, thus blinding him. Sukra prayed intensely to Lord Shiva who was present in the form of Velleeswarar in Thirumayilai. He was granted his sight back. This is the story of Lord Velleeswarar who is resident in Mylapore and is believed to have granted the power of sight to thousands of devotees who were afflicted with eye ailments.  While Mylapore is most known for the temple of Kapaleeswara with its seven-tiered Rajagopuram dominating the skyscape, few people know of the existence of the Velleeswarar thirukoil. The main reason perhaps being that the temple does not have a raja gopuram, which is the recognisable signage of the presence of a temple. The good news is that the work on the rajagopuram is over and very soon the temple will be unveiled to the public with a new, majestic façade. The atmosphere in this temple is one of eager expectation. One can see the devotees praying to the lord with fervour and following it up with eager queries with the temple staff about the completion of the construction work and so on.
The temple which is situated on South Mada street is easily approached and despite the vegetable market which lies just outside its portals, the temple enjoys a quietude which is typical to any shrine of Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva is in Linga roopa in this shrine and his consort is Kamakshi Amman. The temple was established by the Sengunthars, who are the traditional trustees of this temple. A special celebration is held each year in honour of the Sengunthar poet Ottakkoothar in the Tamil month of
Avani.
Here Kamakshi abides in a separate shrine and is said to possess the attributes of both Saraswati and Lakshmi. She blesses her devotees with knowledge as well as wealth. The lord and goddess here rest in the mirror palace called the 'ardhajama palliarai'. Vinayaka, accompanied by his consorts Siddhi and Buddhi, can be seen right at the forecourt of the temple. Vinayaka the brahmachari also gives darshan in the same temple. Lord Muruga is here as
Muthukumaraswamy.
 The temple also has the shrines of Soorya, Veerabhadra, Annamalaiyar, Unnamalai Ambigai, Nalvar, Sekkizhar, Kasi Viswanatha and Nataraja. The Utsava moorthy of Arumuga and Bhairava are also found here. Outside the divine consorts' bedroom, one can see Somaskanda moorthy. In the outer precincts are the Navagrahas. Just opposite Sani bhagavan one can see Sukra worshipping Lord Shiva under a tree to regain sight. Worshipping here restores vision, believe devotees. The temple celebrates a number of important festivals chief among which is the Vaikasi Peruvizha. This festival includes the Adhikara Nandi, Rishaba Vahanam, the temple car festival, restoration of sight to Sukra festival and
Thirukalyanam.
The temple opens every day at 6 a.m. The morning pujas include Thiruvanandhal, Kalai Sandhi, Uchikala pujai after which the temple closes at noon. The temple reopens in the evening at 4 p.m. for the Sayankala puja and closes at 9 p.m. after the Ardhajama puja when the god and goddess are put to sleep. The monthly pujas include pradosham, krithigai, pournami, visakam, thiruvadhirai and mada shivarathri. Next time you to happen to be in Mylapore do not fail to see the lord who grants sight. Sight for even those who can see, so that they can transcend the temporal world and enter spiritual life.
Ambujam Anantharaman
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