Manicka Easwarar Dadapuram

Manicka Easwarar, Dadapuram

Saivite Temples, Villupuram District

God

Manicka Easwarar, facing east

Goddess

Manickavalli, facing south

Other Deities

Vinayaka, Muruga with consorts, Shiva Lingam, Navagraha, Kalabhairava, Jeshta Devi. Sanctum Niches – Vinayaka, Dakshinamurthy, Mahavishnu, Brahma, Durga, Chandikeswara

Manicka Easwarar Dadapuram is a beautiful east-facing temple that is entered through a gateway in the south. The temple is situated in a spacious single Prakaram. The entire sanctum sanctorum and its mandapams are built on a raised platform. A large Nandi faces the lord from a small mandapam. Climbing the steps on either side the Mahamandapam is reached. This is followed by the Ardha Mandapam, Antralaya and a large sanctum sanctorum. The main deity is a large lingam. The vimaanam over the sanctum sanctorum is a large and beautiful one. The walls of the sanctum sanctorum are beautifully carved and the idols in the sanctum niches are beautiful large ones. In the Prakaram are shrines for Vinayaka and Muruga. The goddess shrine is south facing on the north side in front of the sanctum sanctorum of the main deity. A number of old idols are kept separately in the prakaram including one of Jeshta Devi.

Holy Water (Theertham) – No information

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – No information

History

Manicka Easwarar Dadapuram is an ancient temple as is evident from the numerous inscriptions found all around the base and walls of the sanctum sanctorum. From these, it is understood that the temple was constructed by Kundavai, daughter of Parantaka Sundara Chola (regnal years 956 – 973 CE), the elder sister of Rajaraja Chola I (regnal years 985-1014 CE) and wife of Vallavarayan Vandhiya Devan. Manicka Easwarar Dadapuram was constructed during the 19th regnal year of Rajaraja Chola I. The ancient name of the temple were ‘Ravikula Manicka Easwaram’, ‘Venkundra Kottathu Nallur Nattu Raja Raja Puram’ and the name of the village was Rajaraja Puram which has been sadly corrupted over time to Dadapuram today. It is also said that the people who were not comfortable mentioning the great king’s name changed it to Dhadha (meaning father in Sanskrit) Puram. Kundhavai also constructed the nearby Perumal temple and a Jain temple.

There are 4 inscriptions in the temple. One in the souther wall mentions that Kundhavai Pirattiyar built the temple and had allocated Lands for generating revenues for the burning of the lamps in the temple. Another one mentions that a maidservant of Kundhavai Pirattiyar named Aiyaran Dheviyanar donated goats to the temple in the year 1004 CE. Another inscription of Rajaraja Chola I dating back to 1006 CE by Raja Raja Chola is found in the north and west wall of the sanctum sanctorum. Inscriptions detailing the properties of the temple including Jewellery, Gold, and Silver articles are also found. Also inscribed are the rules about the way in which the properties are to be managed and their utilization.

There is a large lake created during the same time as the temple called Dadapuram Chitheri and said to have been called Rajarajan Lake in the olden days. Manicka Easwarar Dadapuram temple was built before the Thanjavur Brahadeeswarar temple.

Legend

No information

Directions

Manicka Easwarar Dadapuram is about 15 kilometers north of Tindivanam off the Vandavasi road. At Melmavilangai junction take a right towards the east and reach Kari Varadaraja Perumal Dadapuram which is about 2.5 kilometers away. There is also an ancient Shiva Temple nearby.

Stay and Food

None locally. The closest is Tindivanam.

Saivite Temples

Tamilnadu Temples