The temple of Dhandeeswarar at Velachery is steeped in history. Appaya Dikshitar a great Sanskrit savant hailing from Adaipalan in North Arcot dist is believed to have consecrated the shrine of Goddess Karunambikai in this temple. He was an erudite scholar who translated the epics Ramayana and Mahabarata in lucid prose.. He was a devotee of Lord Shiva and propitiated him every day. The rulers of Vijayanagar and Nayak dynasties respected him.

King Chinnabomman who ruled Vellore performed Kanakabishekam to him. Appaya Dikshitar stayed in Vedaserini (Velachery) and conducted a yaga worshipped Dhandeeswarara and also visited Tiruvanmiyur and worshipped Marundeeswarar. It is believed that since Appaya Dikshitar wanted to worship the deity Lord Marundeeshwarar faces west. There is face of Appaya Dikshitar sculpted on the sanctum sanctorum of the Goddess in Dhandeeswarar temple. Sabapathy Sidddhar and Amabalavana swamigal worshipped the deity.

Stone Inscriptions

There are a lot of stone inscriptions which provide valuable information about the temple.

Many kings belonging to the Chola and Pallava dynasties have donated lands to the temple. A devotee hailing from Arcot has built the shrine of Ganesha inside the temple. He has also made provisions for the Nithya pooja. Another devotee has made arrangements for lighting the lamp in the sanctum sanctorum of the deities.The temple is called Thirudhandeeswaram .Velachery is also called Dhinachinthamani.Chaturvedi mangalam. It is named after the queen Dhina chintamani queen of Kulothungan.

Pooja

Pradosham , Shashti, Sivarathri, Kirthikai , and Navarathri are observed with piety. The vahanas of Adhikara nandhi, rat , peacock are attractive and they carry the deities during the festival.

Temple timings - 6am - 11am
                                4.30-pm - 8pm

(concluded )

Dhandeeswarar Temple in Velachery - Part 1 |  Part II