Manimangalam Sri Dharmeshvarar Temple, Kanchipuram

Address

Manimangalam Sri Dharmeshvarar Temple, Dharmeswarar Temple, Manimangalam – 601 301 Kanchipuram District Phone: +91- 44 – 2717 8157

Diety

Sri Dharmeshvarar Amman: Sri Vedhambikai

Introduction

The Dharmeshvarar Temple is 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 protected by the Archeological Society of India (ASI). The chief deity of this temple is known by the name Sri Dharmeswarar, while the Goddess here is called Sri Vedhambikai. 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.

Puranic Significance

Manimangalam has an ancient temple for Lord Shiva called Dharmeswarar. The Goddess here is Sri Vedhambikai. According to the inscriptions, this temple is said to have got constructed by Chozhas. Chozhas, Pandyas and Vijayanagara Kings had contributed for the construction of this temple. The main shrine was constructed by Chozhas with Gajapristha vimanam and front mandapam was built by Vijayanagara Kings and Ambal Sannadhi was built by Pandyas. There is no Rajagopuram, Dwajasthambam, Balipeedam and Nandhi originally. The Nandhi and Balipeedam are erected in the outer at a very latter stage in front of Ambal temple. Ambal is in a separate Sannadhi without Gopuram. Lookswith achildish face. It is believed that Ambal is very powerful. The temple is facing east with sanctum and mandapam and constructed like a mada koil. At the entrance Ganapathy and Subramaniyar are facing each other. In the outer prakaram Sannadhi for Vinayagar, Bairavar and Saneeswarar are located. In the mandapam Sannadhi for Chandran, Suryan, Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniyar, Navagrahas are located. In Koshtam Vinayagar, Dhakshinamoorthy, Vishnu, Brahma and Durgai are located. Sandikeswarar looks cute with Jadamudi without mazhu in hand and posture is little different from other Sandikeswarar. Moolavar is little tall. The temple is built on a very vast space amidst greenish paddy fields. A beautiful Peepal tree welcomes you as you enter the gates of the temple. This temple is maintained by Archeological Society of India. The looks and the structure itself show the antiquity of the temple. There is a small Mandapam outside the sanctum. Sri Vinayagar and Sri Subramanyar are seen on either sides of the entrance of the sanctum. The main deity, Sri Dharmeswarar is seen facing east. One can feel the divinity in this calm and cool ambience with the view of the Lord in natural light and the light from the temple lamps. There is a small Nandhi facing the Lord in the sanctum, from this Mandapam. There’s another small gated portion facing south, which is empty. There had been a beautiful Sri Natarajar here in ancient days and some miscreants had stolen the deity While local people chased them, it is said that the miscreants had thrown Sri Natarajar in the nearby pond and ran off, in which Sri Natarajar’s idol was damaged. In the inner prakaram, Sri Vinayagar is found at the South western corner, under a tree in good shadow. Along the walls of the prakaram, Sri Vinayagar and Sri Dhakshinamurthy are seen facing south. Lord Sri 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. A window, beautifully carved window with 12 openings is found on the eastern side wall of the prakaram. The Vimaanam is built of Gajabrushta shape called Thoonganai Maadam in Thamizh. Unusually Nandhi and Bali Peetam are present outside the inner Prahara wall. Nandhi was looking at the Prahara wall without even a window in the compound wall. There is a small mandapam in front of the sanctum sanctorum with some nice sculptures. Ganesha is sitting under the Sthala Vriksham. The Koshta gods are beautifully done. This temple was also built by the same Kulothunga king who built the Somangalam temple and so this also has the Gajaprashta Vimana. Shiva is present in the sanctum sanctorum as Dharmeswarar in linga form with Ambal in a separate shrine. One is assured of immense satisfaction and peace with the serene atmosphere of the temple and the village. The whole temple is built on stone with wonderful architecture. Even the steps to reach the Mandapam outside the sanctum is done beautifully, but damaged in few places. There are many dilapidated idols of Parivaara moorthies and Shiva Lingam kept safely in the inner prakaram. One can notice many inscriptions along the walls of the temple. There is a separate shrine for Goddess Vedhambikai at the outer prakaram, facing south. Goddess is beautifully dressed and is so gracefully in blessing posture like a Mother blessing her children. The temple pond is found adjacent to the temple, without any steps or bathing Ghats to it. The Nandi statue opposite to the sanctum of Lord Siva is sculpted artistically and installed. A strike on it releases the sound of bronze.

Festivals

Festivals, like Maha Shivarathri, Aadi Pooram, Navarathri, Pradosham and Karthigai Dheepam are celebrated well in this temple, with much effort of the priests. People from various parts of the city visit this temple very often but unfortunately, not the local villagers.