Dandeeswarar Temple is a Shiva temple situated in Velachery, a suburb of Chennai. Presiding Deity is called as Dandeeswarar and the Lords Consort is Goddess Karunambika (Merciful Mother). The specialty in this temple is that Lord Veerabadra graces the devotees in a sitting posture with his right leg folded and holding Rudraksha mala instead of a Danda and a Mazhu. The temple was built during the Pallava region and was repaired and rebuild during the Chola region. This temple is administered by the HR & CE Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu.
Legends of the Dandeeswarar Temple
According to the legends, in Thirukadavur Lord Shiva hit the chest of Lord Yama when he tried to take off the life of his devotee Sage Markandeya. He also dismissed him from the job. To gain his strength back Lord Yama installed Lingam here and worshipped Lord Shiva. Pleased by his prayers Lord Shiva pardoned Yama, gave him back his danda and reinstated him in the job. Hence, Lord is praised as Dandeeswarar. People who lost their jobs pray to Lord Dandeeswarar to regain the job.
History of the Dandeeswarar Temple
Demon Somasura snatched the Vedas from Lord Brahmma. Lord Vishnu recovered them from the demon. As the Vedas stayed with the demon for sometime, their sanctity was lost. They performed penance on Lord Shiva to become as pure and holy as they were earlier. Lord Shiva purified the Vedas with their original glory. As Vedas worshipped here, the place was called Vedacherry, which in the days that followed changed as Velacherry. The scriptural name is Vedasreni.
Architecture of the Dandeeswarar Temple
The Temple has three entrances in the east, north and west directions. The north facing Vimana or the tower with five tiers is the main entrance. Presiding Deity is called as Dandeeswarar. Lord is moderately sized Shiva Linga housed in east facing sanctum.. Shrines of Kalai Sandhi Vinayaka and Subramanya can be found at the north gate. The temple has the idols of Lord Surya and many other deities including 63 Nayanmars. It is said that the rays of the Sun would fall on the Lingam on the exact date of Tamil New Year. It is not seeing now, as High rises have been built around the Temple. There is a Nandi found facing towards sanctum in the Maha Mandapam.
Dandeeswarar Temple Timings:
The temple is open from 5.00 A.M. to 11.00 A.M. and from 4.30 P.M. to 8.30 P.M.
Dandeeswarar Temple Festival:
The festivals celebrated in the temple are
- Chitra Poornima in April-May
- Aadi month Sundays in July-August
- Shivrathri in February-March and
- Aipasi Annabishekam in October-November
How to reach the Dandeeswarar Temple
The Temple is located in Velachery, Chennai on the way from Saidapet towards Pallikaranai.
By Air
Nearest airport is Chennai Airport.
By Rail
Nearest railway station is Velachery railway station only 2 kilometers at distance. Also Chennai Central Railway station is 17 kms.
By Bus
The Temple is located at about 250 meters from Dhandeeswaram Tank / Gandhi Road Bus Stop, 450 meters from Dhandeeswaram Bus Stop. Lot of Town buses available from various parts of Chennai City to Velachery.
