VELUDHARAN TEMPLES VISIT : Dhamodhara Perumal Temple / Thirumal Azhagi Samedha Damodara Perumal Temple, Damal, Kanchipuram District, Tamil Nadu.

Thursday 16 January 2020

Dhamodhara Perumal Temple / Thirumal Azhagi Samedha Damodara Perumal Temple, Damal, Kanchipuram District, Tamil Nadu.

15^th December 2019.

The visit to this Damodara Perumal temple was a part of Kanchipuram and Vellore temples visit scheduled on 15^th December 2019. After Varaheeswarar darshan had been to this temple, which is almost at the centre of the Village. This is one of the Vishnu temples dedicated to Kannan/ Krishna, who was tied with a rope by his mother on his abdomen and called as Damodaran ( Dama in Sanskrit means rope and Udara in Sanskrit means abdomen ). This is the only place where Vishnu gives darshan as Damodara to his devotees.

Moolavar : Sri Damodara Perumal

Consort : Sri Thirumalazhagi

Some of salient features of this temple are….

The temple is facing east without any Rajagopuram or arch. A Canopy is erected from the recent period mandapa up to the entrance. Thadhiarathanai mandapa is on the left and Anjaneyar sannadhi is on the right. Garudan and Balipeedam are in front of the Sanctum. The sanctum is about 4 feet high from the ground level with a flight of steps. Moolavar Damodaran is with Sridevi and Bhudevi. There is a rope mark on the abdomen of the moolavar. Moolavar wears anklets signifies the little Krishna, 108 salagrama garland and Silver rope on his waist. The urchavar or the processional deity is also called as Damodara is with Satyabhama and Rukmini. Hanuman and Sudarshan are also in the sanctum.

Sri Thirumalazhagi thayar sannidhi is on the right side of moolavar sannadhi facing east. Thayar sannidhi is also raised from the ground level. In the concrete mandapa, Andal and Alwars. Out side the Moolavar and Thayar sannidhi, Nandhavanam was created and stucco images of Anjaneya, Garudan, Kannan, Krishna with rope tied on to a wooden mortar, Sripad of Krishna and the Vijayanagara period Pillars with Hanuman relief.

ARCHITECTURE

Both moolavar and Thayar sannidhis are built on an elevated level. Moolavar sanctum is of rectangular on a padabandha adhisthana. The koshtas are empty. The prastaram is of kaptha style and a two tier vimana is over the sanctum. It seems that the temple was reconstructed many times with brick and mortar.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

According to the sthala purana this temple belonged to the Madhava community who gave the temple as danam / gift to Vaishnavas, hence this village was called ‘Danamallapuram’ which got corrupted to the present name of Damal. But as per the Chozha King Kulothunga-I ( 1070 – 1120 CE ) inscriptions refers this Village as Damar also called as Nittavinodanallur in Damar Nadu in Damar Kottam. Damar ( Thamar ) which has got corrupted to the present name of Damal.

Even though it is claimed that the temple is more than 1400 years old, there is no evidence or inscriptions to prove its antiquity. With the presence of Vijayanagara Pillars, we may conclude that this temple may belongs more than 500 years old.

LEGEND

Damodara is one of the many names of Krishna. When Krishna as a child was very mischievous and Yashoda has to run after him. He used to steal butter and curd from neighbor houses along with his friends. This was complained to Yashoda many times. So she decided to tie Krishna with a rope on a wooden mortar to restrict his playful movement. When she tried to tie with a rope, every time She could not do so due to short of length. Joined bits many times and failed. Finally, Krishna gave way and allowed her to tie. Hence Lord Krishna has got the name of Damodaran ( Dama in Sanskrit means rope and Udara in Sanskrit means abdomen ).

FESTIVALS

Apart from regular festivals and poojas, Kodai Thirumanjanam in Chithirai month, Vasanthotsavam in Vaikasi month, Thayar Thiruvilakku Pooja in Adi, Pavithrotsavam in Avani, Damodaran is decorated as Lord Venkateswara like Tirumala Tirupati in Puratasi, Deepavali, Bhakta Hanuman Laksharchana in Karthigai, Sri Andal - Bhogi Urchavam in Margazhi, Thirumal Azhagi Laksharchana and Sri suktha Homam in Thai, Maasi Magam in masi and Panguni Uttara Thiru Kalyana Urchavam in Panguni are celebrated in a grand manner.