Dhenupureeswarar Temple (Madambakkam)

Last updated

Dhenupureeswarar Temple
Thenupureeswarar koil front view.jpg
Religion
Affiliation Hinduism
Deity Dhenupureeswarar(Shiva), Dhenukambal(Parvati)
Festivals Pradosha, Panguni Uttiram, Navarathri
Location
Location Madambakkam, Chennai
State Tamil Nadu
Country India
India Tamil Nadu location map.svg
Om symbol.svg
Location in Tamil Nadu
Geographic coordinates 12°53′55″N80°09′36″E / 12.89861°N 80.16000°E / 12.89861; 80.16000
Architecture
Type Dravidian
Completedcirca 957–970 CE
Direction of façadeEast

Dhenupureeswarar Temple (also "Dhenupurisvara" and "Thiripureeswarar") is a Shiva temple located in Madambakkam, a suburb of Chennai, India. Dhenupureeswarar is the local name for the Hindu deity Shiva. [1]

Contents

Religious significance

View of the main entrance to the temple Thenubureeswarar temple madambakkam.jpg
View of the main entrance to the temple
The sanctum sanctorum of the temple Interior view-Thenupureeswarar koil.jpg
The sanctum sanctorum of the temple
The kodimaram (sacred pole) of the temple Thenupureeswarar koil kodimaram.jpg
The kodimaram (sacred pole) of the temple

Dhenupureeswarar got his name because he gave moksha to a cow (Sanskrit : Dhenu).[ citation needed ] Sage Kapila is said to have been reborn as a cow for his sin of having improperly worshiped a Shiva lingam using his left hand. The cow continued to worship Shiva by pouring milk on a Shiva lingam buried in the ground. The cowherd initially punished the cow for wasting the milk, but when the villagers unearthed the Shiva lingam, Shiva appeared and granted moksha (liberation) to Kapila and forgave the cowherd who had mistreated him. [2] Legend has it that the king had a dream of this occurrence at this site and had the temple built to commemorate it. [3]

Dhenupureeswarar's consort here is Dhenukambal. The main building of the temple, which contains the statue of Dhenupureeswara in linga form, faces east and his consort faces south in a separate sanctum. [1] The Shiva lingam is Swayambhu Lingam or self-manifested Lingam.[ citation needed ]

It is an interesting story of how the temple was discovered from its ruins. One of the Bhakts approached Maha Periyava Sri Chandra Sekarendra Saraswathi Swamigal and sought His blessings for his new built home at Selaiyur. Maha Periyava blessed him, and told him that there is an old Siva temple lying in ruins at a nearby village called Madambakkam. In those days, even Selaiyur was a distant suburb, and no one had heard of Madambakkam, even in Selaiyur. The Bhakt gathered some more men, and went in search of the temple. They cleared the bushes near the agricultural fields, and found an astounding temple in Chola architecture. They renovated it, performed Kumbabhishekam, and commenced daily pujas. The temple is now attracting thousands of people from nearby locations.[ citation needed ]

Temple Vimana Thenupureeswarar temple vimanam.jpg
Temple Vimana

Construction

The temple was built between 956 and 973 CE during the reign of the Chola king, Parantaka Chola II, father of Raja Raja Chola I, who constructed the famous Brihadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur. The main sanctum (Sanskrit : garbha griha ), like some other Chola temples in and around Chennai, is apsidal in shape (Sanskrit: gajaprishta vimana) (also described as shaped like the back of a sleeping elephant), unlike most Hindu shrines, which are square or rectangular. [1] [3]

The temple is thought to have been consolidated with stones during the reign of Kulothunga Chola I. [3]

Well-preserved Chola sculptures and carved pillar bases are present in and around both sanctums. [1]

A number of fine inscriptions and sculptures dating to the Vijayanagara Empire are also preserved. [1]

Nandi statue Nandhi statue at Thenupureeswarar koil.jpg
Nandi statue

Restoration

The temple is one of a number of sites that have been conserved and restored under the auspices of the Archaeological Survey of India. [4] [5] Improvements included removing the damaged thick weathering course (roof surface) of the front mandapa and Amman Shrine and relaying with fresh weathering course. [6]

The ASI states that the temple has been declared a monument of national importance under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (amendment and validation) 2010 Act. [2]

The temple is a National Monuments Authority notified site upon which construction is banned. [7]

Verses mentioning the temple from Arunagirinathar's Thirupugazh inscribed on the temple wall Thirupugazh at Thenupureeswarar koil.jpg
Verses mentioning the temple from Arunagirinathar's Thirupugazh inscribed on the temple wall

Cultural significance

The 15th century Tamil poet Arunagirinathar's work contains a line mentioning the temple. [3]

A number of religious festivals are celebrated at the temple, including Pradosha, Panguni Uttiram and during Navarathri, devotees visit to offer special pujas. [1]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Srikalahasteeswara temple</span> Shiva temple in Tirupati, India

The Srikalahasti Temple is located in the town of Srikalahasti, in Tirupati district in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India. According to regional tradition, it is said to be the site where Kannappa was ready to offer both his eyes to cover blood flowing from the Shivalinga before Shiva stopped him and granted him moksha. The inner temple was constructed around the 5th century CE and the outer temple was constructed in the 11th century by the Rajendra Chola I and other Chola emperors such as Rajaditya Chola, Rajaraja Chola I, Rajadhiraja Chola I, Kulottunga Chola I, Kulottunga Chola III, and Reddi kingdom,Vijayanagar Empire. The 120 feet (37 m) high main gopuram and the hundred pillared hall with intricate carvings was commissioned during the regime of the Vijayanagara Krishnadevaraya during 1516 CE. Shiva in his aspect as Vayu is worshipped as Kalahasteeswara. The temple is also regarded as Rahu-Ketu kshetra and Dakshina Kailasam.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tambaram</span> A city within the Chennai Metropolitan Area

Tambaram is a city located within the Chennai Metropolitan Area in the Indian State of Tamil Nadu. The city is governed by Tambaram City Municipal Corporation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vadakkunnathan Temple</span> Ancient Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva

The Vadakkumnathan Temple is an ancient Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva in Thrissur, in the Thrissur district of Kerala, India. The temple is a classical example of the architectural style of Kerala and has one monumental tower on each of the four sides in addition to a koothambalam. Mural paintings depicting various scenes from the Mahabharata can be seen inside the temple. The shrines and the Kuttambalam display vignettes carved in wood. The temple, along with the mural paintings, has been declared as a National Monument by India under the AMASR Act. According to popular local lore, this is the first temple built by Parashurama, the sixth avatar of Vishnu. Thekkinkadu Maidan, encircling the Vadakkumnathan Temple, is the main venue of the renowned Thrissur Pooram festival.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amritaghateswarar-Abirami Temple</span> Shiva temple in Tamil Nadu, India

Amrithakadeeswarar Abhirami Temple (also called Abhirami temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva in his manifestation as Kalantaka and his wife Parvati as Abhirami. There is a Shrine for Maha Vishnu as Amrithanarayana and his consort Mahalakshmi as Amrithavalli. It is located in Thirukkadaiyur, 21 km East of Mayiladuthurai, Tamil Nadu in India. This temple is associated with the legend of Shiva saving his young devotee, Markendeya from death, and the tale of a saint, Abirami Pattar a devotee of the presiding goddess.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kundrathur</span> Taluk Headquarters and Town in Kanchipuram district,Tamil Nadu, India

Kundrathur is a town located in the Chennai Metropolitan Area and the headquarters of Kundrathur taluk in Kanchipuram District. It is the birthplace of Sekkizhar, a well-known poet-saint who authored the Periyapuranam.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Madambakkam</span> Neighborhood of Tambaram, India

Madambakkam is a neighborhood in the city of Tambaram, situated within the Chennai Metropolitan Area, Tamil Nadu, India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jambukeswarar Temple, Thiruvanaikaval</span> Temple in Tamil Nadu, India

Jambukeswarar Temple, Thiruvanaikaval is a temple of Shiva in Tiruchirapalli district, in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. It is one of the five major Shiva Temples of Tamil Nadu representing the Mahābhūta or five elements; this temple represents the element of water, or neer in Tamil. The sanctum of Jambukeswara has an underground stream.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Akilandeswari</span> Hindu goddess

Akhilandeshwari is one of the main forms of the Hindu Goddess Adi Parashakti. The famous abode of Akhilandeshwari is the Jambukeswarar Temple in Thiruvanaikaval. She is also revered collectively with the goddesses Meenakshi and Kamakshi, forming the Trishakti triad, the most powerful goddesses in Shaktism. The goddess’s name is split into three components. “Akhila” means the universe, “Anda” means cosmic egg, and “Ishwari” means the divine mother. Therefore, Goddess, the divine mother who protects the entire universe in her womb, is known as “Akhilandeshwari”. Akhilandeshwari is the presiding deity in the Jambukeswarar Temple in Thiruvanaikaval along with her consort Jambukeswarar, who is an avatar of Shiva.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brihadisvara Temple</span> 11th century temple and UNESCO World Heritage Site

Brihadishvara Temple, called Rajarajesvaram by its builder, and known locally as Thanjai Periya Kovil and Peruvudaiyar Kovil, is a Shaivite Hindu temple built in a Chola architectural style located on the south bank of the Cauvery river in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India. It is one of the largest Hindu temples and an exemplar of Tamil architecture. It is also called Dakshina Meru. Built by Chola emperor Rajaraja I between 1003 and 1010 CE, the temple is a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the "Great Living Chola Temples", along with the Chola-era Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple and Airavatesvara temple, which are about 70 kilometres (43 mi) and 40 kilometres (25 mi) to its northeast respectively.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vaikom Sree Mahadeva Temple</span> Hindu temple in Kerala

The Vaikom Sree Mahadeva Temple is a temple dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva in Vaikom, Kottayam, Kerala, India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Erumbeeswarar Temple</span> Shiva temple in Tamil Nadu, India

Erumbeeswarar Temple in Thiruverumbur, Tamil Nadu, India, is a Hindu temple dedicated to the deity Shiva. Built on a 60-foot (18 m) tall hill, it is accessible via a flight of steps. The temple's main shrines and its two prakarams are on top of the hill, while a hall and the temple tank are located at the foothills. Shiva is believed to have transformed himself into an ant hill and tilted his head at this place to enable ants to climb up and worship him. Erumbeeswarar is revered in the canonical 7th-century Tamil Saiva work the Tevaram, written by Tamil saint poets known as nayanmars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kalyanasundaresar Temple, Nallur</span> Shiva temple in Tamil Nadu, India

Kalyanasundaresar Temple, Nallur or Thirunallur is a Hindu temple dedicated to the deity Shiva in Nallur, Tamil Nadu, India. It is located 10 km (6.2 mi) away from Kumbakonam, 6 km (3.7 mi) east of Thirukkarugavur, and 30 km (19 mi) south of Thanjavur.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pasupatiswarar Temple</span> Hindu Temple in Tamil Nadu, India

Pasupatiswarar Temple is located in Pandanallur in the Thiruvidaimarudur taluk of Thanjavur district in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Shiva is worshiped as Pasupatheeswarar, and is represented by the lingam and his consort Parvati is depicted as Mangalambika. The presiding deity is revered in the 7th century Tamil Saiva canonical work, the Tevaram, written by Tamil poet saints known as the nayanars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam.

Brahmapureeswarar Temple or Thirukolili is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva located in Thirukkuvalai in Nagapattinam district of Tamil Nadu, India. Shiva is worshiped as Brahmapureeswarar, and is represented by the lingam and his consort Parvati is depicted as Vandamar Poonguzhali. The presiding deity is revered in the 7th-century-CE Tamil Saiva canonical work, the Tevaram, written by Tamil poet saints known as the nayanars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Padikasu Nathar Temple</span> Hindu temple in Tamil Nadu, India

Padikasu Nathar Temple is a Hindu temple located at Azhagaputhur, a village in the Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu, India. Shiva is worshiped as Padikasunathar, and is represented by the lingam. His consort Parvati is depicted as Soundaranayagi. The presiding deity is revered in the 7th century Tamil Saiva canonical work, the Tevaram, written by Tamil saint poets known as the nayanars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam. The 8th century Saiva saint poet Sundarar has sung praise about the temple in his works.

Chennai Om Sri Skandashramam is a Hindu temple dedicated to the deity Murugan in Chennai, India. It is located at Selaiyur, Tambaram, a southern neighbourhood of Chennai. The temple is known of its huge idols of several deities, including Kamala Siddhi Vinayakar, Panchamukha Heramba Ganapathy, Dattatreya, Panchamukha Hanuman, Shaniswara, Ayyapan, goddess Ashtadashabhuja Durga Parameswari, Sarabeswara, goddess Prathiyankira, goddess Bhuvaneshwari, Swaminathaswamy, Sudarshanachakathalwar, Lakshmi Narasimhar, Maha Sahasralingamurthy, Nandikeswarar, goddess Annapurani and Chakra Poorna Maha Meru. There is also an idol of Saint Sathguru Santhananda Swamigal, who built the temple.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Othandeeswarar Temple</span> Shiva temple in Tamil Nadu, India

Othandeeswarar Temple in Thirumazhisai Chennai City in Tiruvallur district in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. It is located 22 km from the state capital Chennai. Constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture, the temple was built during the 11th century by Chola king Kulothunga Chola II. Shiva is worshipped as Othandeeswarar and his consort Parvathi as Kulirvithanayaki.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vedapureeswarar temple, Thiruverkadu</span> Hindu temple of Shiva in Thiruverkadu, India

Vedapureeswarar Temple or Eswaran Dharmaraja Koil is a Hindu temple dedicated to the deity Shiva, located in Thiruverkadu, a Municipality in Tiruvallur district in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Shiva is worshipped as Vedapureeswarar, and is represented by the lingam. His consort Parvati is depicted as Balambigai. The presiding deity is revered in the 7th century Tamil Saiva canonical work, the Tevaram, written by Tamil saint poets known as the Nayanars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jalantheeswarar Temple</span> Shiva temple in Thakkolam, Tamil Nandu

Jalanatheeswarar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the deity Shiva, located in Thakkolam, a village in Vellore district in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Shiva is worshipped as Jalanatheeswarar, and is represented by the lingam. His consort Parvati is depicted as Giriraja Kannikambal. The presiding deity is revered in the 7th century Tamil Saiva canonical work, the Tevaram, written by Tamil saint poets known as the Nayanars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vilwanatheswarar temple</span> Hindu temple in Tamil Nadu, India

Vilwanatheswarar Temple, also spelled Bilvanathesvara temple, is a Hindu temple dedicated to the deity Shiva, located in Thiruvalam, a village in Vellore district in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Shiva is worshipped as Vilwanatheswarar, and is represented by the lingam. His consort Parvati is depicted as Vallambigai. The presiding deity is revered in the 7th century Tamil Saiva canonical work, the Tevaram, written by Tamil saint poets known as the Nayanars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Chitra Madhavan (26 September 2003). "Ancient Chola temple at Madambakkam". The Hindu . Archived from the original on 6 December 2003. Retrieved 23 July 2014.
  2. 1 2 J. V. Siva Prasanna Kumar (3 August 2012). "1,000-year-old Chola legacy draws devotees". The Asian Age. Retrieved 24 July 2014.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Rohini Ramakrishnan (22 June 2010). "Walking through history". The Hindu. Retrieved 24 July 2014.
  4. ↑ T. Ramakrishnan (2 October 2001). "Restoring past glory". The Hindu . Archived from the original on 22 January 2002. Retrieved 23 July 2014.
  5. ↑ Nirmala Lakshman (12 September 2013). Degree Coffee by the Yard: A Short Biography of Madras. Aleph Book Company. p. 50. ISBN   9789383064403.
  6. ↑ "Indian Archaeology 1999-2000 -A Review" (PDF). Archaeological Survey of India. 2005. p. 296. Retrieved 23 July 2014.
  7. ↑ D. Madhavan (20 December 2012). "National Institute of Siddha modifies expansion plan". The Hindu. Retrieved 23 July 2014.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.