>PQR01 at 06:48, 29 May 2021

2021-05-29T06:48:26Z

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{{Short description|Temple in Tamil Nadu, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2018}}
{{Infobox Hindu temple
| name = Dandeeswarar Temple
| image =
| alt =
| caption =
| map_type = India Tamil Nadu
| map_caption = Location in [[Tamil Nadu]]
| coordinates = {{coord|12|50|46|N|80|03|53|E|type:landmark_region:IN|display=inline,title}}
| other_names =
| proper_name =

| country = [[India]]
| state = [[Tamil Nadu]]
| district = [[Chennai district|Chennai]]
| locale =
| elevation_m =
| deity = Dandeeswarar([[Shiva]])
| festivals=
| architecture = [[Dravidian architecture]]
| temple_quantity =
| monument_quantity=
| inscriptions =
| year_completed =
| creator =
| website =
}}

'''Dandeeswarar Temple''' [[(Shri Dandeeswarar Temple)]] is a [[Shiva]] temple situated in [[Velachery]], a suburb of [[Chennai]]. The temple was built during the [[Pallava]] reign and was repaired and rebuilt during the [[Chola]] reign. The temple complex consists of a main temple complex and a tank, and is 2 kilometers towards the east from [[Guru Nanak College, Chennai|Guru Nanak College]] on the Velachery main road. This temple is administered by the HR & CE Department of the Government of [[Tamil Nadu]].

== Mythology==

The Temple traces its mythology to that of Lord [[Yama]] (God of Death) who is said to have installed this [[Lingam]] and prayed to Lord Shiva for forgiveness and restoration of his strength after he was kicked on his chest by Lord Shiva in [[Thirukadavur]] at the behest of saving the life of Sage [[Markandeya]]. Lord Yama having lost his strength is said to have created a Tank (Yama [[Theertham]]) and installed this Lingam and had fervently prayed to Lord Shiva for forgiveness and restoration of his strength so that he can carry out his duties in full measure. Pleased by his prayers Lord Shiva is said to have granted a Staff (Dhandam) to Lord Yama in this place and restored his strength and hence the name Dandeeswarar - or bestower of mythical staff. The Lords Consort is Goddess [[Karunambika]] (Merciful Mother).

The other important incident associated here is that the 4 [[Veda]]s came and prayed to this Lord and regained their strength after they were taken by [[Hiranyaksha]] and were kept immersed in Sea before being rescued by Lord [[Vishnu]] in [[Matsya]] avatar. Thus this place is an apt one for any one wishing to regain their lost strength and vitality. The name Velachery is said to be corruption of Veda Shreni (Place of Vedas).<ref>{{cite news|title=Heritage Walk to Dhandeeswaram temple|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-downtown/heritage-walk-to-dhandeeswaram-temple/article884849.ece|newspaper=The Hindu|date=14 November 2010|accessdate=19 June 2016}}</ref>

== The Temple==
The Temple sports a 5 Tier [[Vimana (architectural feature)|Vimana]] and has separate shrines for [[Ganapati]], [[Subrahmanya]] and [[Shasta (deity)|Shasta]] as well. We can find the idols of Lord [[Surya]] and many other deities including 63 [[Nayanmar]]s.

The Temple however, has been badly maintained in the past as one can see broken pillars and remnants of carvings spewed around. The Pillars have [[Tamil people|Tamil]] and Devnagri etchings. The Temple has however seen good patronage in the recent times after Velachery has become an active suburb.

It is said that the rays of the Sun would fall on the Lingam on the exact date of Tamil New Year and this is not happening now as High rises have been built around the Temple. The Temple [[Puja (Hinduism)|pooja]]s starts from about 6.30 am and go on up to 11.30 am and is open again from 4 pm to 8.30 pm daily.<ref name=dinamalar>{{cite web|title=Sri Dandeeswarar temple|url=http://temple.dinamalar.com/en/new_en.php?id=422|publisher=[[Dinamalar]]|year=2014|accessdate=24 November 2015}}</ref> The niches of the ''karnakutas'' of the first ''tala'' contains images of a kneeling man on the left and a kneeling lady in the right. Such a feature is otherwise found in [[Neyyadiappar Temple, Tillaistanam]] and [[Vadathirthesvarar Temple, Andanallur]] in [[Tiruchendurai]].<ref name=D45>{{cite report|title=The Mahadeva temple of Tillaisthanam|last=D.|first=Devakunjari|volume=II|issue=III|journal=Damilica|publisher=The State Department of Archaeology, Government of Tamil Nadu|editor-last=R.|editor-first=nagaswamy|year=1973|url=https://www.tnarch.gov.in/Library%20BOOk%20PDF/Damalica%20vol-II.pdf|format=PDF}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://temple.dinamalar.com/en/new_en.php?id=422 Sri Dandeeswarar temple]

[[Category:Hindu temples in Chennai]]

Dandeeswarar Temple - Revision history

>PQR01 at 06:48, 29 May 2021