Damal Sri Thirumalazhagi Sametha Sri Damodara Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram

Address

Damal Sri Thirumalazhagi Sametha Sri Damodara Perumal Temple, Damal, Kanchipuram district, Tamil Nadu 631551 Mobile: +919629406140, +919944812697

Diety

Sri Damodara Perumal AMMAN: Sri Thirumalazhagi

Introduction

This temple is in the middle of the Village Damal. Buses are available from Kanchipuram. Damal is 16 KM from Kanchipuram, 33 KM from Arakkonam and 90 KM from Chennai. This is one of the Vishnu temples dedicated to Kannan/ Krishna, who was tied with a rope by his mother on his abdomen and called as Damodaran (Dama in Sanskrit means rope and Udara in Sanskrit means abdomen). This is the only place where Vishnu gives darshan as Damodara to his devotees.

Puranic Significance

According to the sthala purana this temple belonged to the Madhava community who gave the temple as danam / gift to Vaishnavas, hence this village was called ‘Danamallapuram’ which got corrupted to the present name of Damal. But as per the Chozha King Kulothunga-I (1070 – 1120 CE) inscriptions refers this Village as Damar also called as Nittavinodanallur in Damar Nadu in Damar Kottam. Damar (Thamar) which has got corrupted to the present name of Damal. Even though it is claimed that the temple is more than 1400 years old, there is no evidence or inscriptions to prove its antiquity. With the presence of Vijayanagara Pillars, we may conclude that this temple may belongs more than 500 years old. Moolavar sanctum is of rectangular on a padabandha adhisthana. The koshtas are empty. The prastaram is of kaptha style and a two tier vimana is over the sanctum. It seems that the temple was reconstructed many times with brick and mortar. LEGEND: Damodara is one of the many names of Krishna. When Krishna as a child was very mischievous and Yashoda has to run after him. He used to steal butter and curd from neighbor houses along with his friends. That was complained to Yashoda many times. So she decided to tie Krishna with a rope on a wooden mortar to restrict his playful movement. When she tried to tie with a rope, every time She could not do so due to short of length. Joined bits many times and failed. Finally, Krishna gave way and allowed her to tie. Hence Lord Krishna has got the name of Damodaran (Dama in Sanskrit means rope and Udara in Sanskrit means abdomen). Both moolavar and Thayar sannidhis are built on an elevated level.

Beliefs

Those who wish to have a child should pray to Damodar Perumal (Kannan) and gift an anklet.

Special Features

The temple is facing east without any Rajagopuram or arch. A Canopy is erected from the recent period mandapa up to the entrance. Thadhiarathanai mandapa is on the left and Anjaneyar sannadhi is on the right. Garudan and Balipeedam are in front of the Sanctum. The sanctum is about 4 feet high from the ground level with a flight of steps. Moolavar Damodaran is with Sridevi and Bhudevi. There is a rope mark on the abdomen of the moolavar. Sri Thirumalazhagi thayar sannidhi is on the right side of moolavar sannadhi facing east.