Dadapuram Sri Kari Varadharaja Perumal Temple, Villupuram

Address

Dadapuram Sri Kari Varadharaja Perumal Temple, Dadapuram, Tindivanam Tehsil, Villupuram district, Tamil Nadu 604207

Deity

Sri Kari Varadharaja Perumal Amman: Sri Devi, Sri Bhudevi

Introduction

Location: Dadapuram is a village in Tindivanam Tehsil, Viluppuram District, Tamil Nadu. The village is governed by the Dhadapuram gram panchayat.
The village houses an important Vishnu temple, the Sri Kari-Varada Perumal Temple, located approximately 1.5 kilometers south-west of the Sri Manikantesvaram Siva Temple.
This temple is associated with Kundavai Vinnagar Alvar and is dedicated to Vishnu, known as the bestower of grace on Gajendra (the elephant king from Hindu mythology).

Architecture:

The temple has a dvi-Stalam structure, consisting of the garbhagriha (sanctum), ardhamandapa (inner hall), and mukhamandapa (main hall).
The temple’s architectural features include a semi-circular sikhara (dome) and stupi (temple tower).
Devakoshtas (niches) and makara-toranas (decorative arches) adorn the outer walls of the temple, though these niches are currently empty.
The kodungai (kapotam), adorned with kudus (decorative carvings), is another fine architectural detail.
The second tier of the temple features Salas and Kutas, while the vimana devatas (deities) include Vishnu on Garuda and Rajamannar.
The temple’s design also incorporates sculptures of Hanuman, with one of these visible over the kodungai on the second tier.

Puranic Significance:

Inscriptions: The temple features significant inscriptions, many from the reign of Rajaraja I. These inscriptions provide valuable information about the history and donations made to the temple.
One of the inscriptions from the 21st regnal year of Rajaraja I lists gifts made of gold, silver, and pearls to the temples of Kundavai Vinnagar, Ravikula Manikkesvaram, and Kundavai Jinalaya.
These temples were built by Princess Kundavai Pirattiyar, daughter of Ponmaligai-tunjina devar, in Rajarajapuram (Nallur Nadu, Venkunrak-kottam).
Other inscriptions mention gifts made by royal officers and record that the dancing girls of both the Vishnu and Shiva temples were to accompany the deities during processions and the hunting festival.

Historical Significance:

The temple dates back to the Chola period, with its construction and management under the supervision of prominent figures like Senapati Mummudi-sola Brahmamarayan.
Inscriptions from the reign of Rajendra I provide further historical context, recording gifts of sheep for temple lamps by Kundavai Pirattiyar herself during the fourth regnal year of Rajendra I.

Special Features:

Inscriptions from Rajendra I’s time mention additional gifts and offer details about the temple’s management and religious activities.
The temple, rich in historical inscriptions and architectural beauty, serves as a testimony to the cultural and religious significance of the Chola dynasty in this region.

Conclusion:

The Sri Kari-Varada Perumal Temple of Dadapuram is a historically and religiously important structure, embodying the architectural grandeur and spiritual depth of the Chola period. Its rich inscriptions provide a glimpse into the contributions of royalty and their dedication to temple construction and worship.