Dharmeswarar Manimangalam

God

Dharmeswarar, facing east

Goddess

Vedambigai, facing south

Other Deities

Vinayaka, Dakshinamurthy, Mahavishnu, Brahma, Durga, Chandikeswara

Dharmeswarar Manimangalam is located in a very large area of land amidst beautiful green paddy fields. The east facing temple has 2 Prakaras and is well protected under the maintenance of the Archaeological Survey of India. Dharmeswarar Manimangalam is built with stone with splendid architecture. The Vimaana is in the form of Gajaprastam (Elephant’s back). The temple pond is adjacent. There are many dilapidated idols kept safely in the inner Prakaaram. Many stone inscriptions are also found. A small gated portion facing south houses the Goddess. A Nataraja deity in ancient days was stolen by miscreants and thrown in the nearby pond when chased by locals. An interesting feature of Manimangalam Village is the many Vinayaka temples which have an Elephant as their Vaahana (Mount) as against the traditional Mouse.

Holy Water (Theertham) – No Information

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – No Information

History

Manimangalam village is of historical importance because of the big battle fought here between Narasimhavarma Pallava and the Chalukya King Pulikesi II in the 7th Century CE. According to the inscriptions, Dharmeswarar Manimangalam is said to have been constructed during the Chola period. Stone inscriptions here mention the area as ‘Grama Sikhamani Chathurvedhi Mangalam, belonging to Kunrathur Naadu, a division of Puliyur Kottam in the district of Jayamkonda Chozha Mandalam’. In ancient days, lands along with a temple were donated by Kings to Vedic scholars for performing Vedic rituals. Such villages were called ‘Chathurvedhi Mangalams’.

Legend

No Information

Directions

Dharmeswarar Manimangalam is about 3.5 kilometers west of Tambaram. Refer our map below for exact location.

Stay and Food

None locally. Chennai is advisable.