Manimangalam is a historic village/town in the Kanchipuram district of Tamil Nadu, located about 10 km west of Tambaram and within the ancient cultural landscape of the Tamil region.
Ancient Importance & Name In early inscriptions, Manimangalam is recorded as a place of significant cultural and political importance. The town was known by several ancient names such as Ratnagrahara and Ratna Grama, meaning “village of jewels” — indicating its role in trade and wealth. It was also referred to as Chaturvedi Mangalam — a village granted by kings to Vedic scholars (Chatur = four, Vedi = Vedas, Mangalam = auspicious village) where learned Brahmins lived and performed Vedic rituals. The Battle of Manimangala (7th Century CE) One of the most historically notable events at Manimangalam was the Battle of Manimangala (circa 642 AD) between: Pallava King Narasimhavarman I and Chalukya King Pulakeshin II. This battle was the first major victory for the Pallavas over the Chalukyas, marking a turning point in the long struggle between these two powerful South Indian dynasties. The battle is also recorded in ancient Kūram copper-plate inscriptions and in later historical literature, showing the town’s early political significance. Temples & Religious Heritage Manimangalam is especially noted for its ancient temples, many dating to the Chola period (10th–13th centuries CE) and earlier: 🔹 Rajagopala Perumal Temple A Vishnu (Perumal) temple, also called Vanduvarapati. Built during the Medieval Chola period, with earliest inscriptions from Rajendra Chola I (c. 1056 CE). The temple features inscriptions (Tamil & Sanskrit) and was an important site for Vaishnavite worship. Dharmeswarar Temple Dedicated to Lord Shiva, with the goddess known as Sri Vedhaambigai. Chola-era inscriptions identify the village as Grama Sikhamani Chaturvedhi Mangalam in Jayamkonda Chozha Mandalam. In ancient times, temple lands were endowed to Vedic scholars. Kailasanathar Temple Also built by Chola kings (starting with Vijaya Balaya Chola around 950 CE) and renovated by Raja Raja Chola I, Rajendra Chola, and Kulothunga Chola. The temple was historically linked with Paranjothi (Siruthondar) — a Pallava general who later became one of the revered Nayanmars (Shaiva saints). Political History Through Chola Period Manimangalam remained significant through the Chola era, and inscriptions show changes in its administrative and royal designations: During Rajaraja I’s rule, it was called Loka-Mahadevi-Chaturvedi-Mangalam. Later Cholas named it Raja-Sulamani-Chaturvedi-Mangalam. Under the rule of Kulothunga Chola I and successors, it became Pandiyanai Irumadi Venkonda Chola Chaturvedi Mangalam — literally the village of the Chola who conquered the Pandyas twice. In later years, during Raja Raja III’s reign, it was known as Grama Sikamani Chaturvedi Mangalam (the jewel among villages). These name changes reflect both the political shifts of medieval South India and the town’s continuing cultural importance. Legacy Today, Manimangalam remains a living village with ancient roots, known for its historical temples, inscriptions, and cultural legacy tied to the great dynasties of Tamil history. Hence under the control of ASI and not HRCE K Rajaram IRS 20126 On Mon, 19 Jan 2026 at 18:24, 'gopala krishnan' via Thatha_Patty < [email protected]> wrote: > *MANIMANGALAM SRI DHARMESWARAR TEMPLE ,* > > *KANCHIPURAM DISTRICT-TAMILNADU* > > Introduction > > Manimangalam village is located about *10 Kms from Tambaram *on the > western side of Mudichur Road leading towards Padappai. > > *This village has a very high historic importance because of the huge > battle fought here between Narasimhavarma Pallava and the Chalukya King > Pulikesi II. This battle was fought in Manimangalam during 7th Century AD.* > > Manimangalam has an ancient temple for Lord Shiva called Sri Dharmeswarar. > The Goddess here is Sri Vedhaambigai. According to the inscriptions, this > temple is said to have got constructed by Chozhas. This temple has mentions > in the inscriptions as Grama Sikhamani Chathurvedhi Mangalam. > > In ancient days, the lands along with temple were donated by the kings to > the Vedic scholars for performing Vedic rituals for the well-being of the > country. Such villages were called as Chathurvedhi Mangalams. > > Architecture and deities > > The temple is built on a very vast space amidst greenish paddy fields. A > beautiful Peepul tree welcomes you as you enter the gates of the temple*. > This temple is maintained by Archaeological Society of India and protected > property*. The looks and the structure itself show the antiquity of the > temple. Since this is an Archaeological Society of India (ASI) maintains > the temple and the temple looks like other ASI maintained temples, this > is also nicely fenced and landscaped > > About the temple > > The Temple consists of Sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardhamandapam, and > maha mandapam on a raised upanam and pada bandha adhistanam. From upanam to > prastaram, the temple is constructed with stone. > > There is a small Mandapam outside the sanctum. Sri *Vinayagar and Sri > Subramanyar* are seen on either sides of the entrance of the sanctum. The > main deity, Sri Dharmeswarar is seen facing east. One can feel the divinity > in this calm and cool ambience with the view of the Lord in natural light > and the light from the temple lamps. > > There is small granite Nandhi facing the Lord in the sanctum, from this > Mandapam. *If we knock it , it will produce bronze metal sound.* > > There’s another small gated portion facing south, which is empty. There > had been a beautiful Sri Natarajar here in ancient days and some miscreants > had stolen the deity. While local people chased them, *it is said that > the miscreants had thrown Sri Natarajar in the nearby pond and ran off, in > which Sri Natarajar’s idol was damaged.* > > In the inner praakaaram, Sri Vinayagar is found at the South western > corner, under a tree in good shadow. > > Along the walls of the praakaaram, Sri Vinayagar and Sri Dhakshinamurthy > are seen facing South. > > *Lord Sri Mahavishnu is facing the west from the walls of the praakaaram.* > > Lord Sri Brahma, Sri Sandigeswarar and Sri Durgai are seen on the Northern > side of the praakaaram. A window, beautifully carved with 12 openings is > found on the eastern side wall of the praakaaram.The Vimaanam is built of > Gajabrishta shape. > > The whole temple is built on stone with wonderful architecture. Even the > steps to reach the Mandapam outside the sanctum is done beautifully, but > damaged in few places. > > There are many dilapidated idols of Parivaara moorthies and Shiva Lingam > kept safely in the inner praakaaram. > > One can notice many inscriptions along the walls of the temple. > > There is a Bali Peetam and another big Nandhi found at the outer > praakaaram facing the sanctum. There is a wall obstructing Nandhi from > viewing the sanctum, but for a small opening in it. > > There is a separate shrine for Goddess Vedhaambigai at the outer > praakaaram, facing south. *Goddess is beautifully dressed and is so > gracefully in blessing posture like a Mother blessing her children.* > > The temple pond is found adjacent to the temple, without any steps or > bathing Ghats to it. > > In the outer prakaram sannadhi or Vinayagar, Bhairavar and Saneeswarar. In > the mandapam sannidhi for Chandran, Suryan, Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena > Subramaniar and Navagrahas. Some Hero stones are also installed inside > the temple. A separate post was written on these Hero Stones. > > Festivals > > Festivals like Maha Shivarathri, Pradhosham, and Karthigai Dheepam are > celebrated well in this temple, with much effort of the priests. People > from various parts of the city visit this temple very often but > unfortunately, *not the local villagers.* > > Another rarity of Manimangalam is one can find many Vinayagar temples in > this village, be it small or big. And all the Vinayagars have elephant as > their Vaahana (Carrier) and not the Mooshikha (mouse). > > > > *Some of the important features of this temple are ...* > > Moolavar : Sri Dharmeswara Swamy > > Consort : Sri Vedhambika Devi. > > The temple is facing east with a sanctum and mandapam and is constructed > like a mada koil. At the entrance, Ganapathy and Subramaniyar are facing > each other. *There is no Rajagopuram, Dwajasthambam, Balipeedam, or > Rishabam originally*. > > The Rishabam and Balipeedam are erected in the outer at a very latter > state in front of the Ambal temple. > > In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Vishnu, Brahma and Durgai. > *Chandikeswarar > looks cute with Jadamudi without mazhu in hand, and the posture is a little > different from other Chandikeswaras*. > > Moolavar is a little tall on a square avudayar. > > Ambal is in a separate sannadhi without Gopuram. Looks like a childish > face. *It is believed that Ambal is very powerful. As per Gurukkal, a > girl has her speech after worshipping the Ambal of this temple.* > > HISTORY & INSCRIPTIONS > > Chozhas, Pandyas and Vijayanagars had contributed for the construction of > this temple. The main shrine was constructed by Chozhas with Gajaprista > vimanam and front mandapam was built by Vijayanagaras and Ambal Sannidhi > was built by Pandyas. > > *During the Chozha Period, this place was called Chaturvedi Mangalam, > where 4 Vedas were taught.* > > Temple timings > > The Manimangalam Dharmeswarar Temple generally operates with two main > sessions: morning hours, often from *8:00 AM to 11:00 AM, and evening > hours, typically from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM *or later, with some sources > suggesting it stays open until 9:00 PM. Brahmin priests perform pooja. > > Address: > > Dharmeswara Shivan temple, near shimanthurai vinayagar temple, Pushpagiri, > Manimangalam, Tamil Nadu 601301 > > Phone: 085084 99514 > > Administration > > Manimangalam Dharmeswarar Temple is an ancient Chola-era temple > maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), ensuring its upkeep > and protection, *with daily rituals overseen by Brahmin priests*, and its > administration involves local hereditary trustees and ASI oversight, > providing a peaceful worship experience with specific opening hours. > > Hereditary Trustees: The temple has hereditary trustees, often from the > Vellalar community, who manage its affairs alongside ASI. > > *Compiled from websites and posted by- R.Gopalakrishnan Dated 19-01-2026.* > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "Thatha_Patty" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to [email protected]. > To view this discussion visit > https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/1248945508.1003856.1768827249388%40mail.yahoo.com > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/1248945508.1003856.1768827249388%40mail.yahoo.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > . > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Thatha_Patty" group. 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