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Monday, August 20, 2018

Dhandayuthapani Temple, Madurai

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.