Dhenupureeswarar Temple

Overview

Dhenupureeswarar Temple is also called the "Dhenupurisvara" or "Thiripureeswarar temple is a Hindu shrine situated at Madambakkam, near the Tambaram suburbs of Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Lord Shiva is called by the name Dhenupureeswarar here.

About The Temple

The temple houses some marvelous sculptures which stands proof to the dexterity of sculptors from South India. The temple has a number of sculptures depicting Lord Sarabeswara, Lord Vinayaka with a Veena, Lord Muruga on an elephant holding his cock, Lord Vishnu and Brahmma worshipping Lord Shiva. The is also sculptures showing Lord Shiva gracing along with Ganga Devi and Mother Parvathi, Lord Shiva on the mighty snake Vasuki, Lord Dakshinamurthy with his consort and Bhairava Moorthi. One other sculpture reveals Sri Hanuman worshipping Lord Rama who has Mother Sita on his lap. The creator Brahmma Deva is also found with five faces. On the roof above Nandhi statue, are the paintings of Ashtathikpalakas – the authorities of the eight directions.

About The Deity

The chief deity is this temple is Lord Dhenupureeswarar who is seen facing the east and the Goddess is called Dhenukambal gracing from a separate shrine facing south. The sanctum sanatorium (Garbhagraaha) is quite small where The Shiva Linga is placed on a platform about 8-9 inches high. The Linga is relatively small too, measuring merely 2 inches. It also bears the marks of the cow’s rear legs and stone attacks. The snake jewel head cover is placed on the Linga.

The sculpture of Sage Kabila is found on a pillar in the front hall (mandap) and appears holding a Linga on his left hand with a garland in his right. Another sculpture shows a woman holding a water pot over her head. Lord Muruga graces here with his divine consorts Valli and Deivanai from a separate shrine. The deity here is praised by Arunagiriar in his hymns.

Legend and Stories

The temple is over 1000 years old (956-973 AD) and was built during the reigns of king Parantaka Chola II, the father of famous Rajaraja Chola 1 (who constructed Brihadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur). Kulothunga Chozhan 1 is believed to have rebuilt this stone temple during his rule.

Legend has it that once, the great sage “Kapila” was performing penance praying Lord Shiva seeking Mukthi. He performed various poojas to the Shiva Linga that he worshipped every day. On one such pooja occasion, Kabila Rishi unknowingly held the Shiva Linga on his left hand and performed the Abhishekam with the milk on his right hand. Thus he had caught a Dhosha, as he had held the idol on his left hand, which was a sinful act. Due to this sin, Kapila rishi could not attain Moksha and had to take another birth as a cow. He had to live his entire life as a cow praying the supreme God to attain Moksha (Salvation). Hence accordingly the sage took birth as a cow in a village named Sitreri in South India. The cow used to graze the entire day when his master saw the cow pouring its milk on a small stone buried inside ground. The furious master hit the cow for having wasted its milk. Unable to bear the pain, the cow tapped it’s leg on the ground where it hit the stone, while the stone instantly started bleeding. The master witnessing this event was completely shocked on seeing a stone bleeding. He informed the villagers immediately who dug the ground and took out the Shiva Linga. The master is then said to have prayed Lord Shiva seeking pardon.

Lord Shiva is believed to have appeared and had revealed that he had scripted the entire play for Kapila Rishi, who was born as the cow. Kapila Rishi also provided his unconditional apologized to Lord Shiva for having kicked him on his head. Lord Shiva is said to have gracefully pardoned Kapila Rishi from all his sins, thereby blessing him with Moksha (Salvation).

The villagers had brought this to the notice of the king who was on as tour around the region. The king was moved by this divine occurrence and ordered for the construction of a temple for Lord Shiva there. Hence the Lord here also got to be called Lord Sitrerinadhar and the Goddess as Devi Nampirattiyar.

The place where people is believed to have met the king is popularly called Rajakizhpakkam, a suburban are of the city Chennai. The village Sitreri (meaning small lake in Tamil) goes by the name Madambakkam now.

Festivals

The annual Brahmmotsavam is celebrated in the Tamil month of Chithirai (April-May). On the day of Panguni Uthiram, the boat festival (Teppam) is celebrated at this temple.

Speciality

Two Vinyakas are found in the inner corridor (prakara) of this temple. The temple has no banyan tree near the Dakshinamurthy shrine. The Ambal here appears with a parrot on her hand. In the place of Lingodhbava behind the sanctum sanctorum, idol of Maha Vishnu is installed. Lord Varadharaja also graces his devotees from a separate shrine here along with consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi. Mercury (planet Bhudha) is seen facing the direction North. People suffering from speech related problems such as stammering, offer green pulse as nivedhana to the Budha here. They also offer the sacred Tulsi Malai (Garland) and light ghee lamps. Vaduga Bhairava Swamy is worshipped here with Banana fruits and cashew garland. Devotees light lamps in coconut shell and pumpkin on the Ashtami days – 8th day from both the (Amavasya) new moon or (Poornima) full moon day. The garland should be made with a set of 12 cashew nuts totally and a red flower known as Arali flower.

Significance

Devotees visit this temple with the belief that the deities here positively responds to their prayers and grants whatever they wish for. Pujas are performed to Lord Sarabeswara on Sunday evenings. Those facing various planetary Dhoshas (adversities) worship the Lord here by offering a jasmine garland. Childless couples pray Lord Muruga here seeking child boon.

How To Reach Dhenupureeswarar Temple, Madambakkam

Airport

The nearest airport is the Chennai airport located at the Meenambakkam locality.

Railways

The nearest railways stations are the Tambaram and Velachery stations respectively.

Road

The temple is about 8 kms from Tambaram, Chennai. One should get down at the Rajakilpakkam bus stop on the Velachery road and take the bifurcation. The temple is 3 kms from here. There are no convenient bus facilities from Tambaram. Direct buses are very few and irregular.

Temple Address

Sri Dhenupureeswarar Temple,
Madambakkam,
Chennai, Tamil Nadu,
Pincode - 600126.