May 112 min read

Temples of Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry #48: Dhenupureeswarar Temple, Maadambakkam, Chennai

தேனுபுரீசுவரர் திருக்கோயில், மாடம்பாக்கம், சென்னை

This ancient and historically important Sivan temple is situated on the outskirts of Chennai city about 30 km from the centre to the southwest. It has unique features and given its architectural and cultural importance, it is jointly administered by the ASI and the HR and CE. Despite the ASI involvement, it is a very active temple and very popular. It is a monument of national importance and is a protected site.

Legends say that the great sage Kapila was once born as a cow and attained redemption by worshiping the Lord here. Dhenu means cow. This temple should not be confused with another famous Dhenupureeswarar temple in the Chola country near Kumbakonam. This Dhenupureeswarar temple at Maadamabakkam built of stone was originally erected by Sundara Cholan or Paranthakan II, the father of Rajarajan, and his able minister Aniruddha Brahmadhirajan in the latter half of the 10th century. It was later expanded by Kulothungan I in the 11th century. The outer mandapam was constructed by the Vijayanagara kings in the 15th century.

The temple is known for its exquisite sculptures. There are 10th and 11th century sculptures of Chola vintage in the inner core and later Vijayanagara sculptures in the outer mandapam. There is a revered sculpture of Sarabeshwara, the fierce form that Siva took to quell the anger of Narasimha, that is particularly beautiful.

The sanctum and vimanam are of the Gajaprishta or Thoonganai Maadam - தூங்கானை மாடம் type. The entrance is of solid granite and of Chola style but lacks a rajagopuram. It is a Mottai Gopuram- மொட்டைக்கோபுரம். They say that the rajagopuram was never built but that is difficult to believe given the involvement of the Vijayanagara kings who were prolific builders of gopurams. It is more likely that the rajagopuram, often built of stucco and wood, has decayed over time and has been lost.

There are inscriptions here from the 13th century belonging to Chola kings Kulothunga III and Rajarajan III, Jatavarman Sundara Pandyan and Vijayanagara kings Kampanna Udayar, Devaraya II and Sadasiva Raya.

From a historical and architectural point of view, this is perhaps the most significant ancient Siva temple in the Chennai area. Locals refer to it as the Maadambakkam Sivan temple.

It is located in the Chennai suburb of Maadamabakkam about 30 km southwest of the core of the city. We visited in May 2023. We stayed in Chennai.