Arulmigu Draupadi Amman Temple, Dharmaraja Temple and Nagathamman Temple, Mylapore, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

12^th January 2020.

The Visit to this temple was a part of Goddess of Mylapore Heritage walk curated by Mrs Padmapriya Baskaran on 12^th January 2020, in Connection with Mylapore festival. Mylapore is a part of Chennai, one of the oldest and has most historic places. The Historical places includes, Saptha Sthana Shiva temples, Vishnu  and Village Deities.  Mylapore was called in different names. Greco-Roman, a famous geographer of the 2^nd Century CE, mentions Mylapore as Mylarphan. From ancient times Mylapore was called as Mayilarpil, Mayilai, Tirumayilai, Mahilup, Mirapolis, Mirapor and Malepur. During Chozha period Mylapore was under Jayankonda Chozha mandalathu Puliyur Kottam. During Pallava period Nandhivarman-III,  assumed the title of “Mayilai Kavalan” ie guardian or protector of Mylapore.

Mylapore is also known for many Village deities and this Arulmigu Draupadi Amman – Dharmaraja Temple is one such village temple on MundaKanni Amman Koil Street, Mylapore. The worshiping of Draupadi Amman is followed in many cults. In this  temple, the Epic Mahabharata heroine Draupadi is worshiped as presiding deity. There is also a Draupadi Amman Temple, similar to this is on the Dharmaraja Koil Street, Saidapet, a few KM away from this temple.

   

Presiding Deity : Sri Draupadi Amman

Some of the salient features of this temple are...

The temple is facing east about 3 steps below the out side ground level. Bothuraja / Pothuraja in the form of bas relief is in front of the temple. The presiding deity Draupadi is in sitting posture. In sanctum Dharmaraja, Arjuna, Bheema, Nakulan, Sahadevan and Krishna with Bhama & Rukmani. Nagars are in the prakaram.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple complex consists of sanctum sanctorum, Antarala, artha mandapam and a mukha mandapam. There are two bas relief sculptures worshiped as Chandra and Surya in the mukha mandapa. A Stucco vimana is over the sanctum. Devotees used to pray Draupadi for marriage and child boon. The bangles offered  are tied on the Neem tree.

SPECIALITIES 

On the left of the entrance is the Sati Stone /hero stone with inscription and the right is the memorial stone in worshiping posture. These Nadukarkal / Hero Stones belongs to 16th to 17th Century.

 

 Sati stone with inscription as தலை பலி

 A Donor memorial stone

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The temple was built with bricks and may be of 100 to 200 years old.

POOJAS AND FESTIVALS

Apart from regular poojas a annual festival is also celebrated with Therukoothu. The Mahabharata story will be the theme of the therukoothu, in which males will act in the female characters.      

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept opened between 7.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 21.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

Since those who are doing Pooja for Angala Parameswari Amman Temple, which is adjacent to this temple is doing Pooja for this temple also. Poojari Suresh Kumar may be contacted on his mobile +91 8754544856, for further details.

HOW TO REACH:

This temple is on the on the Mundakanni Amman Koil Street Mylapore, Chennai.

The temple is 500 meters from Mundaka kanni Amman Koil MRTS Railway Station, 1 KM from Thirumayilai MRTS Railway Station and 8 KM from Chennai Central Railway Station.

Nearest Railway Junction is Chennai Central Railway Station.

LOCATION: CLICK HERE

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---