Wednesday Nov 20, 2024

Manimangalam Kailasanathar Temple, Kanchipuram

Address

Manimangalam Kailasanathar Temple, Manimangalam village, Kanchipuram district – 602301.

Diety

Kailasanathar Amman: Gnanambikai.

Introduction

Kailasanathar Temple is dedicated to God Shiva located at Manimangalam Village in Kanchipuram District of Tamilnadu. Presiding Deity is known as Kailasanathar and Mother is known as Gnanambikai. Manimangalam is a small locality located near Tambaram, which in turn is located near Chennai in Tamilnadu state of India. Manimangalam is a historical site. The great battle between the Chalukya King Pulikesin and the Pallava King Narasimha Pallava was fought in Manimangalam. The temple is about 12 kms from Tambaram on the Mudichur road and 5 kms from Vandalur on the Sriperumpudur highway. One can take the Tambaram – Sriperumpudur bus route to reach the temple

Puranic Significance

The temple was built by the Telugu Chola King Vijaya Balaya Chola in 950 CE. Later, this temple was renovated during various periods by Raja Raja Chola (985 AD), Rajendra Chola (1014 AD) and Kulothunga Chola (1070 AD) as per the local inscriptions available. The earliest references to Manimangalam are in relation to a battle fought between the Western Chalukya ruler Pulikesin II and the Pallava King Narasimhavarman I. This fact is mentioned in the copper plates discovered at Kooram. Kalki has written about the Manimangalam battle in Sivagamiyin Sabatham. He describes how Mahendra Varma Pallava was injured in the battle at Manimangalam, and how his son Narasimha Varma Pallava and his trusted lieutenant Paranjothi vanquished Pulikesin’s army.

Special Features

The east facing temple is completely renovated now. Except for the granite sanctum sanctorum and probably the main deity, everything else in the temple is new. The temple does not have tower (Raja gopuram). The sanctum sanctorum enshrines Shiva Linga called as Kailasanathar. The Goddess Gnanambikai is found in a separate south facing shrine. She is found in the standing posture and has four arms. Nandi mandapa and Bali peetham are found facing towards the main shrine. The exterior wall around the sanctorum has the niche idols of Nardana Ganapati, Dakshinamurti, Lingodbhava, Brahma and Vishnu Durga. The idols of Chandikeshwarar, Navagraha and Bhairava are also found in the temple. In the prakara the sub shrines of Selva Vinayaka and Shanmukha with his two consorts are located. Shanmukha idol is beautiful. He has six faces and twelve arms and is seated on a peacock.

Festivals

All Shiva related festivals especially Masi Magam is celebrated here with much fanfare.

Century/Period/Age

950 CE.

Managed By

Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments Department (HRCE)

Nearest Bus Station

Manimangalam

Nearest Railway Station

Vandalur

Nearest Airport

Chennai

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