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

• The temple is located in the village of Damal, accessible by buses from Kanchipuram.
• Distances: 16 km from Kanchipuram, 33 km from Arakkonam, 90 km from Chennai.
• Dedicated to Lord Vishnu as Damodaran (Krishna tied with a rope by his mother).
• The only temple where Vishnu gives darshan as Damodara.

Puranic Significance:

• Originally belonged to the Madhava community and later gifted to Vaishnavas.
• The village name evolved from ‘Danamallapuram’ to ‘Damal.’
• Inscriptions from Chozha King Kulothunga-I (1070 – 1120 CE) refer to the village as ‘Damar’ or ‘Nittavinodanallur.’
• Though claimed to be over 1400 years old, no inscriptions prove this, but the presence of Vijayanagara pillars suggests the temple is over 500 years old.
• The temple has been reconstructed multiple times with brick and mortar.

Legend:

• Damodara is a name for Krishna, referring to the incident where Yashoda tried to tie him with a rope due to his mischief.
• Despite her attempts, the rope was always short, until Krishna finally allowed her to tie him.
• Moolavar Damodaran has a rope mark on his abdomen, symbolizing this legend.

Beliefs:

• Devotees seeking to have children pray to Damodar Perumal (Kannan) and offer an anklet as a gift.

Special Features:

• The temple faces east and has no Rajagopuram or arch.
• Features a canopy from the mandapa to the entrance.
• Thadhiarathanai mandapa on the left and Anjaneyar sannadhi on the right.
• Garudan and Balipeedam are in front of the sanctum.
• The sanctum is elevated, about 4 feet from ground level.
• Moolavar Damodaran is accompanied by Sridevi and Bhudevi, with a rope mark on his abdomen.
• Thayar sannidhi (Sri Thirumalazhagi) is on the right, facing east.

Festivals:

• Major festivals include Deepavali, Maasi Magam, Panguni Uttaram, and Thiru Kalyana Urchavam, celebrated with grandeur.

Century/Period/Age

1400 years old

Managed By

Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department

Nearest Bus Station

Damal

Nearest Railway Station

Kanchipuram

Nearest Airport

Chennai

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