Dharaneeshwarar Temple, Thandalam, Thiruvallur
Dharaneeshwarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord
Shiva located at Thandalam
Village near Periyapalayam in Thiruvallur District of Tamilnadu. Presiding
Deity is called as Dharaneeshwarar and Mother is called as Kamakshi. The temple is situated amidst lush fertile
land and is a very peaceful place to visit. The main sannidhi houses a huge Shivalingam
called as Dharanishwarar. There is a separate Sanctum for Kamakshi
just outside the main sanctum. She is in the standing form.
This sculpture resembles the goddess sculpture at Surutapalli
and it is thought that the same sculptor sculpted both in Krishnadevaraya’s
time. There are shrines of Bhairavar, Navagrahas and some Lingas in the Temple premises.
This is the place where Vijayendra Saraswathy of Kanchi Kamakoti Peedam grew as
a young boy by name Sankaranarayanan. The elementary school where he
studied remembers him with pride and gratitude as seen by the painting on the
wall.
The Temple is situated on Chennai to Thiruppathy
Road. The Temple is located at about 650 meters from Thandalam Bus Stop, 6 Kms
from Periyapalayam, 14 Kms from Uthukottai, 37 Kms from Thiruvallur, 45 Kms
from Chennai and 58 Kms from Chennai Airport. Bus No 562 from Ambattur
Industrial Estate to Thandalam, Bus No 592 A from Redhills to Uthukottai and
Bus No 593 from Broadway to Thandalam will take you to Thandalam Bus Stop. A
5-minute walk from the bus stop will take you to the Temple.