Dharmeswar Temple

Overview

The Dharmeshvarar Temple is a Hindu shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva and is situated at Manimangalam Village of Kanchipuram district, Tamilnadu. Manimangalam lies at a distance of 20 kms east of the town Sriperumpudur. This historical temple is well protected by the Archeological Society of India (ASI) and is thus well fenced and cleanly maintained. The temple is quite artistic and is located amidst a calm and peaceful environment. A mammoth Peepal tree welcomes us to this ancient temple which is said to have been built by Kulothunga Chola.

Manimangalam is situated about 10 kms west of Tambaram. This temple could be reached from Tambaram through a place called Mudichur. Manimangalam is one of the Chaturvedimangalam (four Vedic villages), a village that was donated to the pundits by the kings for performing Yagnas and poojas. The chief deity of this temple is known by the name Sri Dharmeswarar, while the Goddess here is called Sri Vedhambikai.

About The Temple

Historic inscriptions reveal that the temple was constructed by the Chozhas. This temple finds mention in these inscriptions as Grama Sikhamani Chaturvedhi Mangalam, belonging to Kunrathur Naadu, a division of Puliyur Kottam in the district of Jayamkonda Chozha Mandalam. The temple is located on the eastern side of Manimangalam.

According to the historical scripts, this Dharmeshwara temple was originally built by Kulothunga Chozhan, while few other rulers from Chozha, Pandyas and Vijayanagara dynasty have also generously contributed towards the further construction works. The main shrine was constructed by the Chozhas with Gajapristha Vimanam. The front mandapam was built by Vijayanagara Kings while the Ambal Sannadhi by the Pandyas. The temple does not have a Rajagopuram, Dwajasthambam or a Balipeedam. There was no statue of the Nandhi initially but was later installed. The Balipeedam was erected much later in front of the Ambal Sannidhi.

The Ambal graces here from a separate Sannadhi which has no Gopuram. The goddess looks kind and innocent and is believed to be a very powerful deity. Her shrine is seen facing the east.

One can find Sri Ganapathy and Subramaniyar in the front mandapam near the main sanctum facing each other. The Sannidhis of Sri Vinayagar, Bairavar and Sri Saneeswarar are found in the outer praakara. The Sannadhis of Sri Chandran, Sri Suryan, Lord Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena samedha Subramaniyar and the Navagrahas are located in the Mandapam. The Koshtam houses the Vinayagar, Dhakshinamoorthy, Vishnu, Brahma and Durgai. Lord Sandikeswarar appears with the Jadamudi with no mazhu in his hands, while his posture is a bit different from the usual Sandikeswarar seen at other temples.

Sri Dharmeshwarar temple is built on a vast land amidst lush green paddy fields. A magnificent Peepal tree is found on the entrance of the temple near its gates. The temple has a stunning architecture which displays the antiquity of this temple.

The Mandapam outside the sanctum has the idols of Sri Vinayagar and Sri Subramanyar on either sides. The chief deity of this temple, Lord Dharmeswarar is seen facing the direction east. Devotees can feel the divinity of this temple which is located amidst a calm and serene environment. The Nandhi appears facing the Lord in the sanctum, from the front Mandapam. The temple is said to have housed an idol of Sri Natarajar in a small gated portion facing south. This place lies vacant now since the deity’s idol was found to be stolen by some miscreants. While the locals chased these miscreants off, it is believed that they had in fact thrown the Natarajar’s idol into the nearby pond. As a result, the deity’s idol got damaged.

Lord Vinayagar is found under the Stala Vriksham (tree) within the inner precinct of the temple. Along the walls of the prakaram, Sri Vinayagar and Sri Dhakshinamurthy are seen facing south. Lord Mahavishnu is facing the west from the walls of the prakaram. Lord Sri Brahma, Sri Sandikeswarar and Sri Durgai are seen on the Northern side of the prakaram.

An intricately carved window with 12 openings adorns the eastern wall of the precinct. The temple’s Vimaana is built of a particular Gajabrushta pattern called the Thoonganai Maadam in Tamil. Unlike most temples, the Nandhi and Bali Peetam are present outside the inner Prahara. The Nandhi Deva directly overlooks the Prahara wall with not even a tiny opening on the compound wall in front of it.

The mandapam in front of the main sanctum sanctorum has some of the marvellously crafted sculptures. This Dharmeshwarar temple is believed to have been built by the chozha king Kulothungan who is also credited to have built the Somangalam temple.

Lord Shiva, the presiding deity of this temple graces from the main sanctum sanctorum by the name Lord Dharmeswarar. The deity is found in the linga form with his consort Parvathi devi gracing from a separate shrine. Devotees feel completely at peace due to the serene atmosphere surrounding the temple. The temple is basically built using stones and stands as a finest example of the ancient South Indian style of architecture. Despite damaged at a few places now, the flight of stairs that leads to the Mandapam stands well- crafted. A number of old and dilapidated statues of deities along with a few Shiva Lingas are safely preserved in the inner prakaram.

Many historical inscriptions are found carved along the temple wall. A separate shrine dedicated to Mother Vedhambikai is present in the outer prakaram facing the dirction south. The benevolent Goddess looks graceful in her gorgeous dress and appears blessing her devotees. The temple pond is situated close to the temple but has no steps. The Nandi statue found across the main sanctum is a wonderful sculpture which emits the sound of the metal bronze when tapped.

One other unique feature of the village Manimangalam is that there are a number of Vinayagar temples here with elephant as their Vahana (Carrier), unlike other places where the Mooshikha (mouse) is usually seen as Vinayaka’s Vahana. The village also houses another temple of Lord Shiva, popularly called Sri Kailaasanaathar temple which too is considered quite ancient.

About The Deity

The Dharmeswarar Temple is dedicated to the supreme Lord Shiva as Dharmeswara Swamy and the Divine Mother Shakti gracing ad Goddess Vedambigai.

Legend and Stories

Manimangalam finds mention in a number of historical scripts pertaining to a battle fought between the Western Chalukya ruler Pulikesin II and the Pallava King Narasimhavarman I. This fact is evident from the copper plates excavated from a place called Kooram. The famous Tamil writer named Kalki has written about the Manimangalam battle in his marvelous work titled “Sivagamiyin Sabatham”. He vividly narrates the event of Mahendra Varma Pallava getting injured in the battle at Manimangalam, and his son Narasimha Varma Pallava along with his trusted lieutenant Paranjothi vanquishing the mighty Pulikesin's army.

Festivals

The Maha Shivarathri, Aadi Pooram, Navarathri, Pradosham and Karthigai Dheepam are the most prominent festivals celebrated in this temple. People from Chennai and surrounding areas visit this ancient and historical temple at Manimangalam.

How To Reach Dharmeswarar Temple, Manimangalam

Airport

The nearest located airport is the Chennai International airport which is well connected with many national and international destinations through regular flight services.

Railways

The nearest Railway Station is the Tambaram railhead.

Road

Dharmeswarar Temple is located at Manimangalam, near Tambaram, a suburb of Chennai. Manimangalam is around 32 km to the east of the Kanchipuram District and is about 12 kms from Tambaram. Located on the busy Mudichur road, the temple is approximately 5 kms from Vandalur on the Sriperumpudur highway. One can take the Tambaram - Sriperumpudur bus (route numbers: 55N, 555, M 52H, M80, 583C, 583D) to reach the temple.

Temple Address

Arulmigu Dharmeswaraswamy Tirukkoil,
Manimangalam. Kanchipuram District.
Pincode - 601 301.