Location
Manimangalam village is located about 10 kms from Tambaram on the western side of Mudichur Road leading towards Padappai. Manimangalam has an ancient temple for Lord Shiva and is of architectural importance. The temple is built on a very vast space amidst greenish paddy fields.
Sanctum
The garbhagrha, the sanctum sanctorum of the Hindu temple is an important place. In the Ågamas and silpa såstras (canons of architecture) there are dhyåna slokas (visualizations) which are given; describing the exact features of the particular Deity and the paraphernalia in great detail for the purpose of meditation. It is according to these dhyåna slokas that the central deity or murthy are constructed
Lord Shiva in Manimangalam is called Sri Dharmeswarar. The Goddess is named as Sri Vedhaambigai. Sri Dharmeswarar is seen facing east. There is a small Nandhi facing the Lord in the sanctum, from this Mandapam. Sri Vinayagar and Sri Subramanyar are seen on either sides of the entrance of the sanctum. Near the sanctum, it is learnt that there were tunnels built for various reasons. When one goes around the praakaaram, one can see Sri Vinayagar and Sri Dhakshinamurthy facing South. Lord Sri Mahavishnu is facing the west and Lord Sri Brahma, Sri Sandigeswarar and Sri Durgai facing North.
Manimangalam village is located about 10 kms from Tambaram on the western side of Mudichur Road leading towards Padappai. Manimangalam has an ancient temple for Lord Shiva and is of architectural importance. The temple is built on a very vast space amidst greenish paddy fields.
Sanctum
The garbhagrha, the sanctum sanctorum of the Hindu temple is an important place. In the Ågamas and silpa såstras (canons of architecture) there are dhyåna slokas (visualizations) which are given; describing the exact features of the particular Deity and the paraphernalia in great detail for the purpose of meditation. It is according to these dhyåna slokas that the central deity or murthy are constructed
Lord Shiva in Manimangalam is called Sri Dharmeswarar. The Goddess is named as Sri Vedhaambigai. Sri Dharmeswarar is seen facing east. There is a small Nandhi facing the Lord in the sanctum, from this Mandapam. Sri Vinayagar and Sri Subramanyar are seen on either sides of the entrance of the sanctum. Near the sanctum, it is learnt that there were tunnels built for various reasons. When one goes around the praakaaram, one can see Sri Vinayagar and Sri Dhakshinamurthy facing South. Lord Sri Mahavishnu is facing the west and Lord Sri Brahma, Sri Sandigeswarar and Sri Durgai facing North.
Inner Praharam
In the inner praakaaram, Sri Vinayagar is found at the South western corner.
Architecture
The whole temple is built on stone. The temple follows the classical Gaja Brishta architecture where the sanctum is semi-circular in shape at the back.The Vimaanam is built of Gajabrishta shape called Thoonganai Maadam (தூங்கானை மாடம்) in Thamizh. There are a lot of inscriptions along the walls of the temple. There is a separate shrine for Goddess Vedhaambigai at the outer praakaaram, facing south
Importance
Festivals like Maha Shivarathri, Pradhosham, and Karthigai Dheepam are celebrated well in this temple, with much effort of the priests. The temple has Sarakkonrai (Indian laburnum) as sthala virutcham. There is a beautiful Peepul tree as one enters the temple premises. This huge tree is so relaxing and calms the mind for a beautiful experience. This temple is maintained by Archeological Society of India. The Nandi statue opposite to the sanctum of Lord Siva is sculpted artistically and installed. A strike on it releases the sound of bronze.
Legend
A bit of history. Manimangalam finds a place in the history of Tamil Nadu as the place where Narasimha Varma Pallava defeated the Chalukyas in the 7th century A.D. This fact is mentioned in the copper plates discovered at Kooram. Kalki has written about the Manimangalam battle in Sivagamiyin Sabatham. He describes how Mahendra Varma Pallava was injured in the battle at Manimangalam, and how his son Narasimha Varma Pallava and his trusted lieutenant Paranjoti vanquished Pulikesin's army.
Contact:
Architecture
The whole temple is built on stone. The temple follows the classical Gaja Brishta architecture where the sanctum is semi-circular in shape at the back.The Vimaanam is built of Gajabrishta shape called Thoonganai Maadam (தூங்கானை மாடம்) in Thamizh. There are a lot of inscriptions along the walls of the temple. There is a separate shrine for Goddess Vedhaambigai at the outer praakaaram, facing south
Importance
Festivals like Maha Shivarathri, Pradhosham, and Karthigai Dheepam are celebrated well in this temple, with much effort of the priests. The temple has Sarakkonrai (Indian laburnum) as sthala virutcham. There is a beautiful Peepul tree as one enters the temple premises. This huge tree is so relaxing and calms the mind for a beautiful experience. This temple is maintained by Archeological Society of India. The Nandi statue opposite to the sanctum of Lord Siva is sculpted artistically and installed. A strike on it releases the sound of bronze.
Legend
A bit of history. Manimangalam finds a place in the history of Tamil Nadu as the place where Narasimha Varma Pallava defeated the Chalukyas in the 7th century A.D. This fact is mentioned in the copper plates discovered at Kooram. Kalki has written about the Manimangalam battle in Sivagamiyin Sabatham. He describes how Mahendra Varma Pallava was injured in the battle at Manimangalam, and how his son Narasimha Varma Pallava and his trusted lieutenant Paranjoti vanquished Pulikesin's army.
Contact:
Mr.Kumar:9884874259
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AJBS
