Dhandayuthapani Temple, Madurai
Dhandayuthapani
Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Murugan located in Madurai City in Madurai
District of Tamil Nadu. This is a temple noted for the royal attire dressing of
Lord Muruga. Saivite Saint Sundarar stayed in this temple during his journey
and it was then called Sundarar Mutt. This temple is administrated by The Hindu
Religious & Charitable Endowments Department, Tamilnadu.
History
Saivite
Saint Sundarar who was friendly with Lord Shiva (Saka Marga) visited Madurai
during the seventh century and stayed in this temple. It was then called Sundarar
Mutt based on this event. He continued his journey to Tiruparankundram from
here. This establishes the antiquity of the temple dating back to that period.
Some
devotees used to carry the procession deity on their heads to Palani on Thai Poosam
day. Abishek would be performed to the idol there. The practice did not continue
in later years. As Lord Muruga visited Palani, He is named Dhandayuthapani. He
is also praised as Madurai Palani Andavar.
The
Temple
Lord
Muruga graces in the sanctum sanctorum as Dhandayuthapani holding a staff in
the right hand and keeping his left hand on the hip. This is a temple noted for
the Alankara – dressing of Lord Muruga. The Lord appears in royal attire. As
the Lord took a pilgrimage himself to Palani, he is named Dhandayuthapani. He
is also praised as Madurai Palani Andavar. The main hall, Maha Mandapam of the
temple has beautiful sculptures depicting the six army camps (Padai veedu) of
Lord Muruga, Tiruparankundram, Tiruchendur, Palani, Swamimalai, Thiruthani and Pazhamudhircholai.
The shrines of Maha Ganapathy, Mother Durga, Nagaraja, Yoga Anjaneya, Parameswara,
Yoga Dakshinamurthy, Kala Bhairava are in the Maha Mandapam in the temple.
Shrines of Kanni Moola Ganapathy, Veerabhadra, Pechiamman, Angaleeswari are in
the hall called Artha Mandapam.
Temple
Opening Time
The
temple remains open from 6.00 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. and from 4.00 p.m. to 10.00
p.m.
Pooja
Timings
Daily
poojas to the deities are performed two times a day (two kalams). Kalasanthi
pooja (9.00 A.M to 9.15 A.M) are performed in the forenoon and the evening
pooja commencing from Sayaratchai pooja (7.00 P.M to 7.15 P.M) in the night.
Festivals
Skanda
Sashti in October-November, Panguni Brahmmotsavam in March-April, procession of
Lord Muruga on Kruthika star days, Vaikasi Visakam in May-June, Thai Poosam in
January-February, Vinayaka Chaturthi in August-September and Navarathri in
September-October are the festivals celebrated in the temple.
Prayers
Aipasi
Skanda Sashti is grandly celebrated in the temple. As there is no lodging facility
in the temple, those observing a fast during the festival, take the oath in the
temple and follow it in their own houses. People observe this Sashti fasting
for child boon. People also pray to Kala Bhairava on the New Moon Ashtami (8th
day from new moon day) and on Sunday between 4.30 p.m. to 6.00 p.m covering the
Rahukala in the faith no obstacle could prevent their success in endeavors. During
the Sashti fasting days, couples perform abishek to Lord Muruga with milk offering
Pongal-pudding as Nivedhana.
Contact
Dhandayuthapani
Temple,
Netaji
Road, Madurai – 625 001
Phone: +91 452 234 2782
Connectivity
The
temple is located at the crossing of Nethaji Road and West Masi street at about
500 meters South-West of Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple. The Temple is located
at about 500 meters from Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple, 500 meters from
Madurai Koodal Azhagar Temple, 500 meters from Madurai Periyar Bus Stand, 1 Km
from Madurai Railway Station, 7 Kms from Madurai Mattuthavani Integrated Bus
Terminus and 11 Kms from Madurai Airport. Madurai being a popular tourist
center is well connected by railways and has daily flights to Colombo (Sri Lanka), Mumbai, Bangalore and Chennai.
