15th December 2019.
The visit to this Shiva temple was a part of Shiva and Vishnu temples in Kanchipuram and Vellore Districts scheduled on 15th December 2019. Initially it was planned to visit this temple alone, but Thiruparkadal Shiva temple and Sirukarumbur Shiva Temples are added due to availability of time. This place Damal was called as Thamar or Damar during Chozha period and the same was corrupted to the present name of Damal. This village Damal is the home town of D.K. Pattammal, D.K.Jayaraman and Seshadri Swamigal
Moolavar : Sri Varaheeswarar
Consort : Sri Gowri Amman
Some of the salient features of this temple are….
The temple is facing west with a 7 tier Rajagopuram. Balipedam and Nandhi are in front of a Vijayanagara period mandapam. Sri Vinayagar and Valli Devasena Subramaniyar sannadhis are on both sides of Nandi. Ambal Sri Gowri is in the Vijayanagara period front / Mukha mandapam facing south with a small elephant as vahana. Moolavar is of swayambu with markings of Conch and chakra ( worshiped by Varaha ). In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma and Durga.
Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of Mahamandapam from the mukha mandapam. In prakara Bhairava, Surya, Vinayagar, Sarabeshwara Linga, Ashtotra Linga and Chandikeswara. Sun rays falls on moolavar on Rathasapthami day in the Tamil Month Masi ( February – March ). The Vinayagar, Nalvar and 63var idols are in the prakara and waiting for consecration.
ARCHITECTURE
The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala, arthamandapam, mahamandapam and mukha mandapam. The mukhamandapam pillars has various reliefs like, Ashta Bhairavas, various forms of Lord Shiva, Murugan, the sthalapurana of Kalathi, Kanchipuram and some are from epic Ramayana.
The sanctum is on a Padmabandha adhisthana with tripatta Kumuda. A Two tier Vimana is over the sanctum. Prastharam is of kabotha style with karnakood. Padma is in the valabi.
The original sanctum was built by Pallavas. Antarala and arthamandapa are added during Chozha period. The Prakara, Mahamandapa and mukha mandapa are added during Vijayanagara period.
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
There are many tales behind the Village name Damal. Some of them are.. The word Damar might have been derived from the “Thamarai (Lotus ) tank near temple” or from the name of a Pallava Chieftain Daman ( Daman Thondrikon ) ruled Damar Nadu or from a Vijayanagara Nayak ruler Damarala Venkattappa Nayaka. In fact Damar is also referred in sangam literature Purananuru, a poet by name Damappa Kannanar, who hails from this Village.
As per Pallava King Simhavaraman-III ( 556CE ) copper plate this place was mentioned as Damar or Thamar, Damar kottam, Damar Nadu, Damanallur and Damar. Damal was also called as Damalachery during Maratha period. Damar Nadu was a sub-division under Thondai mandalam. Lord Shiva was called as Tirupannriswaram Udayar ( பன்றி – Boar in English and Varaha in Sanskrit ), is now called as Varaheeswarar, in Sanskrit.
As per South Indian Inscriptions, No 77 of Volume 2, The Kanchipuram Anekatangapadam temple Kulothunga-I ( 1070 – 1120 AD) inscription mentions this place as Damar also called as Nittavinodanallur in Damar Nadu in Damar Kottam. The subjoined inscription records that, in the 20th year of his reign, Kulottunga-Choladeva granted to the Siva temple of Anekatangapadam in Kanchipuram three veli of land in the village of Tamar, alias Nittavinodanallur, in Tamar-nadu, a subdivision of Tamar-kottam. According to Mr. Crole’s Chingleput Manual (p. 439), the district of “Tamal-kottam” was situated in the west of the Conjeeveram talluqa. The village of Tamar must be accordingly identified with the modern Damal.
The 1524CE Tirumalaraya, son of Krishnadevaraya period inscription records the taxes exemption and the income received from the Damal village with land donated by Namachivayam of Pungancheri village on behalf of the donor Ananthalwarpillai and the income to be used for pooja punaskaram.
The 1532CE Vijayanagara King Achutharaya period inscription records the gift of land by Jalakaraja alias Siruthirumalirasar to Lord Thirupannriswaramudaiyar – Thamarudaiyar. It is mentioned that the land should be used for agriculture and the income from that devathana land should be used for poojas and maintenance of this temple.
With the available sculptures and architectural features, the original temple is believed to be built during 7th Century Nandivarman-III period. The temple was renovated during Chozha period by Kulothunga-II and Rajaraja-II and latter patronized by, Vijayanagara kings Tirumalraya (1524CE) and Achyutaraya-(1532CE). The Rajagopuram was built during Vijayanagara Nayak period ( a Relief of Husband wife are seen at entrance wall ).
LEGEND
As per the legend Vishnu after killing Hiranyakshan, in the Varaha avatara and brought back the Earth. Vishnu couldn’t control his anger and behaved ferociously. So Devas seek Lord Shiva’s help. Lord Shiva as a hunter fights with Varaha, hugged and plugged the tusks, which was coated with Demon’s blood. Lord Vishnu’s Demon behaviors were disappeared and worshiped Lord Shiva. Due to embracing Varha, the Conch and Chakra impressions are found on the Shiva Linga.
CELEBRATION AND FUNCTIONS:
Apart from regular poojas, pradosam maha Shivarathiri are celebrated in a grand manner.
TEMPLE TIMINGS:
The temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs to 10.00 hrs and 16.00 hrs to 19.00 hrs. Devotees are advised to confirm with the Archakar before going to the temple.
CONTACT:
The archakar Dinesh may be contacted on his mobile No +919994367390 may be contacted for further details.
HOW TO REACH:
This temple is on the North east corner of the Village Damal close to Chennai- Mumbai Highway.
Buses are available from Kanchipuram.
Damal is 16 KM from Kanchipuram, 33 KM from Arakkonam and 90 KM from Chennai.
Nearest Railway Junction is Arakkonam.
LOCATION: CLICK HERE
Ref: The book The Temple of Varahishwarar in Damal, Kanchipuram published by C.P Ramaswami Aiyer Foundation.
Dwarapalakas
An Elephant Vahana before Ambal shrine
Donors bas-reliefs of the Rajagopuram
Adhisthana with inscriptions
---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---
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