Manimangalam Vaikuntha Perumal Temple

Manimangalam, a quaint locality nestled near Tambaram, a suburb of Chennai in the Tamil Nadu state of India, bears the weight of history within its bounds. This serene village was the battleground for a significant clash in the 7th century CE between the Chalukya King Pulikesi and the Pallava King Narasimha Pallava.

In its heyday, Manimangalam boasted three ancient Vishnu temples and two Shiva temples. Regrettably, one of the Vishnu temples has been lost to time. Amidst this historical tapestry, the Raja Gopala Swami Temple stands as a prominent Vishnu shrine, celebrated in my "Temples of Chennai" book and detailed in my blog. However, in this discourse, we delve into the lesser-known gem of the village, the Vaikuntha Perumal Temple.

Unlike its grandiose counterpart, the Vaikuntha Perumal Temple is a modest abode. In fact, its exact location remains a mystery to many within the village. The temple's doors are rarely ajar, except for a brief five-minute window in the morning, reserved for sacred rituals.

Within the confines of this petite Chola-era temple, resides the endearing form of Vaikuntha Perumal. Seated gracefully, this four-armed deity cradles a conch and discus in the upper hands, extending abhaya hasta from the lower right hand. The left hand, fingers gently folded, rests upon his lap—a unique mudra known as Uri hasta, it is said. Flanked by the divine consorts, Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi, this temple is a sanctuary of serenity.

Unlike temples of grand stature, the Vaikuntha Perumal Temple lacks towering vimanas or additional sub-shrines. At its entrance stands an idol of Ganesh, likely excavated from the village itself. The temple also boasts a few inscriptions from the eras of Raja Raja Chola I and Kulotunga Chola I.

Venturing further, one encounters a contemporary Bhajanai temple in the adjacent lane. This temple finds an intriguing embellishment in the form of two Pallava-period lion pillars adorning its entrance. Remarkably, one of these lion figures sports horns—a distinct representation known as Vyalas. This relic from the Pallava era is a testament to Manimangalam's historical significance as the site of a decisive battle waged by the Pallavas.

As we traverse the bylanes of Manimangalam, we unravel layers of history, each revealing a story of valor, devotion, and cultural richness that has stood the test of time.

Happy travelling.