Dhatreeswarar Temple - Tirumanam Village, Sidharkadu

Tirumanam, also known as Sidharkadu, is a charming village nestled within the Vayalanallur post, located approximately 30 km away from Chennai. It shares its vicinity with the well-known locality of Pattabiram, situated about 10 km from this village. Tirumanam is adorned with two ancient and intriguing temples, one of which is dedicated to Lord Shiva, known as Dhatreeswarar in this sacred shrine. In this article, we shall embark on a journey to explore the fascinating facets of this temple.

Highlights:

• God - Dhatreeswarar or Nelliappar
• Goddess - Prasunakundalambikai or Poonkuzhali
• 800 years old Pandya period temple
• Special temple for those who have Swati as their birth star
• This Shiva temple has many bas-reliefs related to Vaishnaivism

Legend:

Origin

In ancient times, Tirumanam was densely populated with Sowgandhika flower plants, earning it the name Sowgandhika Puram.

Name of the Village

The village was originally named Tirumandram or Harisaranalaya Nallur, gradually transforming into Tirumanam. Owing to the presence of Siddhas, it is also referred to as Siddharkadu.

Poonkuzhali

The Goddess received her name, Poonkuzhali, due to her discovery in a flower garden. The word 'Poo' signifies 'flower' in Tamil, while her Sanskrit name is Prasunakundalambikai.

Siddhas

Legends suggest that Siddhars named Jatamudi Siddhar and Prana Deepika Siddhar worshipped the Shiva Linga beneath the Nelli tree in this vicinity. 'Nelli' in Tamil and 'Dhatree' in Sanskrit both refer to 'gooseberry,' leading to the deity's name Nelliappar in Tamil and Dhatreeswarar in Sanskrit.

History:

The temple is believed to have been initially constructed during the 13th century CE by the Pandya King Jatavarman Sundara Pandya. Subsequent additions and renovations were undertaken by the Nayaka kings.

Temple Layout:

The temple faces east and boasts an exquisite five-tier Raja gopura. Adorning the entrance wall beneath the towering gateway are charming images of Ganesha and Kartikeya.

Within the east-facing sanctum, the primary deity, Dhatreeswarar, resides in the form of a Shiv Linga. A separate south-facing shrine is dedicated to Goddess Prasunakundalambikai.

The temple precinct features a bali peetha, a tall flagstaff, and a Nandi mandapa, all oriented toward the sanctum.

Intricately carved niche images of Nardana Ganapati, Dakshinamurti, Vishnu, Brahma, and Durga adorn the temple's interior, with Chandikeshwara in his customary location.

Within the prakara, you'll find sub-shrines dedicated to Ganesha, Murugan with his two consorts, and Nataraja-Sivakami. A separate sub-shrine houses the beautiful metal images of Somaskanda, while another shrine is dedicated to various utsav images.

The temple boasts a plethora of pillars adorned with exquisite relief images. Notably, it features depictions related to Vaishnavism, showcasing different forms of Vishnu and Dasavatar, which is a rare sight in a Shiva temple.

The walls and pillars of this temple are adorned with relief images of Siddhas, adding to its unique allure. Particularly fascinating are the ceiling sculptures within the Maha Mandapa, including a central Linga surrounded by numerous deities, exhibiting intricate artistry.

Within the prakara, there are images of Saraswati, Adi Shankara, Lakshmi, Veera Bhadra, Adikara Nandi, and Ganesha.

Prepare to embark on a mesmerizing journey as you explore the captivating Dhatreeswarar Temple in Tirumanam.

Happy travelling.