Dharmanatheswarar Temple, Mandakolathur,
Thiruvannamalai
Dharmanatheswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Mandakolathur Village in Polur Taluk in Thiruvannamalai
District of Tamilnadu. Presiding Deity is called as Dharmanatheswarar and Mother is called as Dharmasamvardhini.
This Temple is considered as one the
Saptha Kailaya Sthalams established and worshipped by Lord Muruga on the
southern bank of river Cheyyar.
Legends
Saptha Karai Kanda Sthalams and Saptha Kailaya Sthalams:
For brief details, please refer below link;
Dharmar, Eldest of Pandavas worshipped Lord Shiva here:
The Lord was believed to have
been worshipped by Dharmar of Pancha Pandavas. The Lord was believed to be
worshipped by Pancha Pandavas.
History
This village has a hoary past
and was a centre of vedic learning. It is also mentioned in the 10th
century stone inscriptions of Later Chola Kings. The Renovation of the 1200-year-old
dilapidated temple took place between Dec 1998 to Dec 1999 and the first Kumbabishekam
in the 21st century was held on 27-01-2000. Gradually all the
festivals have been started. The Dwajasthambam was installed and the second Kumbabishekam
was held on 18-06-2011.
The
Temple
The Temple is facing east with
3 tiered Rajagopuram. There is a four pillared Mandapam after the Rajagopuram
entrance. Pradosha Nandhi is located nearby this Mandapam. Presiding Deity is
called as Dharmanatheswarar. Mother is called as Dharmasamvardhini.
Mother is housed in a separate shrine
in the prakaram. Mother is with four arms showing Varada and Abhaya Hastha in
two hands and holding Angusam and Pasam in other two hands. There is a shrine
for Varadharaja Perumal in the Artha mandapam.
There is a shrine for
Kailasanathar and Aram Valartha Nayagi in the Temple premises. There are also
shrines for Somaskandar, Ganesha, Murugan with consorts, Ambal and Chandikeswarar
in the prakaram. Lord Shiva has performed special bravery acts in 8 places. They
are Thirukandiyur, Thirukovilur, Thiruvathigai, Thirupariyalur, Thiruvirkudi,
Thiruvazhuvur, Thirukurukai and Thirukadavur. Paintings in 8 panels of such
acts of Lord Shiva have been drawn on the outer wall of the temple with
suitable glass frames.
Festivals
Natarajar Abishekams, Vaikasi
Visakam, Aadi Pooram Valaikappu to Ambal, Sharada Navarathri, Maha Skanda
Shashti, Maha Sankatahara Chaturthi, Karthigai Soma Vaarams, Mahasivarathri,
Panguni Uthiram. Appar, Sambandar, Manickavasagar and Sundarar mukthi days,
Guru, Rahu, Kethu and Sani Peyarchi days, Annabishekam, Kalabharavashtami,
Nanda Sapthami, Sandhana Kappu, Aavani Moolam, Vinayagar Chathurthi, Karthikai
Deepam, Ratha Sapthami, Thai Poosam, Vasantha Navarathri and 12-day Annual
Brahmotsavam are the festivals celebrated here.
Contact
Dharmanatheswarar Temple,
Mandakolathur, Polur Taluk,
Thiruvannamalai District – 606 904
Mobile: +91 96000
14199
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 6 Kms from Karaipoondi, 10 Kms from Polur, 10
Kms from Polur Bus Stand, 10 Kms from Polur Railway Station, 8 Kms from Devikapuram,
47 Kms from Thiruvannamalai, 45 Kms from Thiruvannamalai Railway Station, 148
Kms from Chennai Airport and 166 Kms from Chennai. The Temple is situated on Polur to Devikapuram Route. Mandakolathur
is well connected to Polur, Devikapuram and Thiruvannamalai. The Temple is
conveniently connected to Polur.
Location
References