Velachery Dandeeswarar Temple

A few years ago, Velachery was just a remote neighborhood on the outskirts of Chennai. Today, thanks to the IT boom, it has transformed into one of the city's most vibrant areas. With its proximity to IT hubs, high-rise apartments, and shopping malls, it’s hard to believe that Velachery is also home to three ancient temples. This article explores one of them—the Dandeeswarar Temple, a thousand-year-old shrine.

Legend:

According to legend, during the Treta Yuga, an Asura named Somukhasura stole the four Vedas from Brahma. To retrieve them, Lord Vishnu took the Matsya Avatar, defeated the Asura, and returned the Vedas to Brahma. However, since the Vedas had been under the Asura’s custody, they were tainted by his influence. Seeking purification, the Vedas took physical form, came to this village, and worshipped Lord Shiva. As the deity here was worshipped by the Vedas, the village was originally called Vedasreni, which later evolved into Velachery.

Another version states that the village was once a major site for Yagnas (sacrificial rituals), known as Velvi in Tamil. The name Velvichery eventually became Velachery.

A third legend connects this temple to Yama, the Lord of death. When Yama threw his staff (danda) at Markandeya, a devoted worshipper of Lord Shiva, the young boy tightly embraced the Shiva Linga. Shiva emerged from the Linga, seized the danda from Yama, and protected Markandeya. Later, on the advice of Sage Narada, Yama visited this site, created the temple tank, and worshipped Shiva to regain his staff. Thus, the deity here came to be known as Dandeeswarar.

History:

The earliest inscription found in the temple dates back to the reign of Gandaraditya Chola, suggesting that the temple was built by the Cholas in the 10th century CE. Inscriptions from the periods of Raja Raja Chola I, Rajendra Chola, and Kulothunga Chola III are also found here.

Temple Layout:

Entrance:

The temple has three entrances—on the east, north, and west. Although the sanctum faces east, the north-facing five-tiered tower serves as the main entrance. The other two towers are simpler in design, and none of the towers feature stucco icons.

At the north gate, there are sub-shrines for Kalai Sandhi Vinayaka and Subramanya.

Dandeeswarar:

The sanctum houses a moderately sized Shiva Linga, known as Dandeeswarar, facing east. A Nandi is positioned in the Maha Mandapa, facing the Linga.

The entrance of the Ardha Mandapa features Chola-period Dwarapalas. Additionally, Ganesha and Kartikeya with Valli and Devasena are placed at the entrance of this mandapa.

At the entrance of the superstructure housing the sanctum and the shrine of Karunambikai, there is another pair of Ganesha and Subramanya.

Karunambika:

The south-facing shrine of Goddess Karunambikai is located in the Maha Mandapa. She stands in a graceful posture with four arms. A relief image of Ganesha is found at the entrance of her shrine.

Koshta Murtis:

The Chola-period niche icons (Koshta Murtis) are remarkable:

• Ganesha
• Yoga Dakshinamurti in a unique posture
• Lingodbhava, depicted holding a deer in his right hand and an axe (mazhu) in his left—an unusual representation
• Brahma
• Durga

Additionally, the temple has a beautifully sculpted Chandikeswara, also from the Chola era.

Inner Prakara:

Unlike most ancient Shiva temples, where shrines of Ganesh and Subramanya are found in the rear prakara, they are absent here. Instead, this area contains:

• Somaskanda (utsava murti)
• Chandrashekhara-Uma (utsava murti)
• Saraswati
• Lakshmi
• Subramanya-Valli-Devasena (utsava murti)
• Chandikeswara
• Gnana Sambandhar (utsava murti)

A separate sub-shrine houses an impressive Nataraja-Sivakami along with a smaller Nataraja icon.

Other notable icons in this prakara include:

• An old Bhairava sculpture
• A Chola-period image of Sambu Surya
• A Vishnu icon in place of Chandra

Outer Prakara:

The outer prakara, a modern addition, contains icons of:

• 63 Nayanmars
• Nalvar
• Sekkizhar
• Ganesh
• Veerabhadra
• Shaneeswara

Sub-shrines in this area include:

• Vishwanatha-Vishalakshi with small Ganesah and Skanda icons at the entrance
• Vaidheeswara Linga with Nandi
• Chokkanatha Linga and Meenakshi, along with Nandi
• Navagraha
• Veda Vinayaka with a front-side mandapa

The Veerabhadra icon here does not resemble the typical depiction of Veerabhadra. It seems like an ancient sculpture mistakenly identified by the temple authorities.

The Nandi Mandapa, flag staff, and bali peetha are situated here, facing the sanctum.

The temple tank, known as Yama Teertha, is located outside the temple complex.

Happy travelling.

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