Gerugambakkam
| Gerugambakkam Gerugai | |
|---|---|
| village in india | |
| Country |
 |
| State | Tamil Nadu |
| District | Kanchipuram |
| Government | |
| • Type | Panchayati raj (India) |
| • Body | Gram panchayat |
| Population (2001) | |
| • Total | 5,478 |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Tamil |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
| Vehicle registration | TN-85 |
Gerugambakkam is a suburb of the city of Chennai in the Alandur taluk of Kanchipuram district, Tamil Nadu, India. Located 5 kilometres away from the city of Chennai (Porur junction) on the Kundrathur road, it forms a suburb of Chennai city.
Demographics
As of 2001 census, Gerugambakkam had a total population of 5,478 with 2,821 males and 2,657 females. The sex ratio was 942. The literacy rate was 70.65.
Notable Temples
Sri Neelakandeswarar Temple
Gerugambakkam has an ancient temple for Lord Shiva, which dates back to Chozha Era. The main deity is Sri Neelakandeswarar and Goddess Sri Aadhi Kamakshi. This is one of the Navagraha temples of Chennai (or Thondai Mandalam) devoted to Sri Kethu Bhagavan. The famous Navagraha Sthalam of Kethu in South India is the Nagannathaswamy Temple at Keezhaperumpallam near Poompuhar. In Chennai, the Gerugambakkam Neelakantheswarar Temple is the Kethu Sthalam. There is a separate shrine for Kethu Bhagavan on the southern side of the sanctum. Special Poojas and Homams are performed to Sri Kethu Bhagavan during Raahu Kethu Peyarchi.
The main deity Sri Neelakandeswarar is situated in a small and beautiful sanctum. The divine Lord is called Neelakandeswarar as he swallowed the deadly "Hala Kaala" poison that appeared out when churning of the milky ocean. His neck is said to have turned blue on swallowing the poison. The word ‘Neela’ in Tamil means blue while ‘Kanda’ denotes the neck.
The Nandhi Deva found in front of the Lord is considered powerful since he intakes the poisonous breath of the Lord after he consumed the deadly poison.
Sri Aadhi Kamakshi is present outside the main sanctum, facing south. She is said to be the first among 5 forms of Kamakshi.
Anjaneya Temple
On 7 April 2012, the Anjaneya statue was erected in actor Arjun’s garden at Gerugambakkam. The Anjaneya statue is 28 feet in height and weighing 143 tons which is carved out single block of stone. It is the one of the tallest Anjaneya in the world on this position.
Other notable temples include Murugan temple, Perumal temple, Kadumbadi Mari Chinna Amman and so on.
Educational Institutions
As of 2016 data, Gerugambakkam has number of educational institutions including Primary, Secondary, Higher Secondary, College and Polytechnics in and around this area. Some of the famous institutions are PSBB Millennium School, Little Flower Matriculation School and Polytechnic.
Scenic Locations
One of the fast growing suburban settlement was once flourished in agriculture with majority of its landscape were green laden fields as late as the year 2000. Along with the adjacent village Kovur, this attracted many film makers and made them the filming hub to represent the rural nostalgic of South India. Some of the notable Tamil movies shot here includes Vaigasi Poranthachu, Natpukkaga, Poomagal oorvalam, Udhaya and so on. Apart from movies, many TV serials like Metti oli and ads were shot here.
References
- "Primary Census Abstract - Census 2001". Directorate of Census Operations-Tamil Nadu. Archived from the original on 2010-07-26.