52. DHADHAPURAM

RAVI KULA MANIKAESWARAR TEMPLE

Distance: 16kms from Tindivanam

Shiva: Ravi Kula Manikaeswarar

Amman: Manikaeswari

Speciality:

About the Place:

Kundhavai Pirattiyar the elder sister of Raja Raja Chola wished to name this village with her brother's name. Therefore the place was called as Raja Raja Puram which has later been transformed to Dhadhapuram. The Shiva of the temple was also named after Raja Raja Chola. Ravikulamanikkam is one of the Special names of Raja Raja Chola. His real name was Arun Mozhithevan. A place called Vairapuram which is to the northeast of Dhadhapuram was called Jananadhapuram and Jananadhanallur as Jananadha was the name of Raja Raja Chola. So many places around Dhadhapuram are named after Raja Raja Chola. In sanskrit Dhadha means Bestower and also father. Raja Raja Chola offered lands, jewellery and lot more to his citizens. The Citizens of his kingdom considered him as their father who took care of them. Therefore they did not want to call the place by uttering his name but instead called the name Dhadhapuram meaning a father's land. Inscriptions called the place as Venkundra Kottathu Nallur Nattu Raja Raja Puram. 

Now people call this temple as Manikandaeswarar temple.

The structure of the temple is very unique in Chola Style.

Karuvarai (main shrine), arthamandapam, Adhishtanam, Upanam, Semi circular Kumudham and Kabhudham are found.

We find a line of Yaali and Magara Thoranam carved in the Deva Koshta. 

All the carvings of the Devakoshta carry artistic beauty. 

There is a Vinayaka who has a semi circular umbrella on his head. 

The Dakshinamurthy under the Stone Banyan tree is very different from that of Dakshinamurthy in other temples. 

At the back of the main shrine we find Perumal showing Abhaya Hastha Mudhra in his hands and with a crown on his head and wearing jewels such as Kadagam, Thandai and necklace. The statue is so lively and very exquisitely carved.

The Durga is also special in this temple. Durgai has 8 hands carrying Sangu, Chakra, Kadayam, Bow and Shield in her hands and with right hand showing Abhaya Hastha Mudhra.

The Muruga, Jyeshta Devi, Bhairavar and other deities are also found here. 

All the deities are large in size. 

The front Mandap of the temple was built later.

There are 4 inscriptions in the temple.

Kundhavai Pirattiyar built this temple during the Period of her brother Raja Raja Chola. She had given Lands for burning the lights in the temple. This detail can be obtained from the inscriptions on the southern wall.

The servant of Kundhavai Pirattiyar named Aiyaran Dheviyanar gave her goats to the temple as Dhaanam in the year 1004AD. 

Another inscription of the Year 1006AD by Raja Raja Chola is found in the north and west of the temple. 

Inscriptions about the properties of the temple and the Jewellery, Gold, Silver, and so on are found in the temple. 

The way the temple property should be managed and how they should be utilised has been specially inscribed in the temple.

This temple was built before the Thanjavur Brahadeeswarar temple.

There is a lake called Royal lake beside the temple. In early days it was called as Raja Rajan lake.

We talk about the achievements of women in recent days but this Chola Queen has done the great achievement of building incomparable temples and has been a wonderful mother to her citizens 1100 years back. We should protect and preserve the Chola culture.