Dhenupureeswarar Temple, Madambakkam – History
The temple was built during the reign of the Chola king, Parantaka Chola II alias Sundara Chola
(A.D. 954 – 971) and his minister Aniruddha Brahmadhirajan in the 10th
Century. It is believed to have been consolidated with stones during the reign
of Ulakuyavanda Kulottunga Chola I. During this era, the present Madambakkam
was known as Aniruddhamangalam and Ulakuyavanda Chola Chaturvedi
Mangalam. It was part of the ancient territorial subdivision called Nedugunra
Nadu in Puliyur-Kottam situated in Jayamkonda-Cholamandalam.
The 13th century Chola period (Kulothunga III
and Rajaraja III) inscriptions, the 15th century inscriptions of
Vijayanagara Mallikarjuna, the 16th century inscriptions of
Vijayanagara King Sadasiva Raya and the 13th century inscriptions of
Jatavarma Sundara Pandya are found in this temple. Presiding deities
Dhenupureeswarar and Dhenukambal were initially known as Sittreri Aludaiya
Nayanar and Nambirattiyar and this change could have happened in the 14th
century during Vijayanagara Period.
The temple is one of a number of sites that have been
conserved and restored under the auspices of the Archaeological Survey of India.
Improvements included removing the damaged thick weathering course (roof
surface) of the front mandapa and Amman Shrine
and relaying with fresh weathering course. The ASI states that the temple has
been declared a monument of national importance under the Ancient Monuments and
Archaeological Sites and Remains (amendment and validation) 2010 Act. The
temple is a National Monuments Authority notified site upon which construction
is banned.
