Dharmapureeswarar Temple

This area was once the capital of the Chozha dynasty during their rule under the Pallava kings. After conquering the Pallavas, it became the second capital of the Chozha dynasty. The palace from that period is now known as Chozhanmaligai. During the 7th century Chozha period, the villages of Muzhaiyur, Patteeswaram, Sakthi Mutram, and Chozhanmaligai were part of Pazhayarai and served as army camps. Pazhayarai is home to four temples known as Vada Thali, Merthali, Keel Thali, and Thenthali. The T.R. Patnam River (also known as the Thirumalai Rayan River) flows to the south, while the Arasalar River flows to the north of Pazhayarai. The temple is referred to as Pazhayarai Vada Thali because it is located on the northern side of the Pazhayarai River. It is believed that a coin minting place called “Nanaya Salai” once existed at the current location of the Kambata Viswanathar Temple. Notably, during the reign of Rajaraja I, who contributed to temple renovations, the temple was known as “Arunmozhi Thevecharam.” Furthermore, Rajendran was raised by his sister Kundavai in this area. However, Pazhayarai lost its prominence during the Pandya period.

Legend :



Mada Kovils : Kochengat Chola was an early Chola king and one of the 63 Nayanmars (Saivite saints) in the tradition of Saivism. According to legend, he attained spiritual rebirth as a spider that fought an elephant in its previous life over the worship of Lord Shiva. At birth, he had red eyes, as he stayed in his mother’s womb longer than usual. His mother, noticing his striking red eyes, affectionately referred to him as Kochengkannano (in Tamil: Ko = king, Cheng = red, Kan = eyes), which translates to "king with red eyes." Consequently, he was named Kochengat Cholan. After ascending to the throne, he became a devoted follower of Saivism and constructed 70 Maadakovils, temples designed with elevated structures that prevent elephants from reaching the sanctum. It is believed that the Dharmapureeswarar Temple is one of the temples he built.

Appar’s Fasting to Find the Buried Temple : According to legend, the temple was once closed and buried underground by Jains. Nayanmar Thirunavukkarasar (Appar) visited Pazhayarai and inquired about the Vadathali Temple from the locals. They informed him that the temple was hidden beneath the ground by Jains. In response, Appar began fasting to discover the temple's location. It is said that Lord Shiva appeared in the dreams of the Chola king Manimudi Chola, instructing him to assist Appar in his search for the Vadathali Temple. With the king’s help, the temple was eventually discovered and reconsecrated for worship.

Worship of Vimali, Daughter of Kamadhenu : Another legend involves Vimali, the daughter of Kamadhenu, who is said to have worshipped Lord Shiva at this temple. Other daughters of Kamadhenu also worshipped Lord Shiva in nearby locations: Patti in Patteeswaram, Sabhali in Pazhayarai Mel Thali, and Nandini in Muzhaiyur.

Sthala Puranam :

The TR Patnam (ThirumalaiRajan Pattinam) River and the Mudikondan River flow south of Patteeswaram. The Mudikondan River, historically known as the Pazhayaru, lent its name to the town of Pazhayarai. Two temples located north of the Mudikondan River are the Someswarar Temple at Pazhayarai (south of the TR Patnam River) and the Dharmapureeswarar Temple (north of the TR Patnam River). Both temples are referenced in Appar’s Pathigam, leading to confusion as they are both referred to as Vadathali, in connection with the Pazhayar/Mudikondan River. However, the Dharmapureeswarar Temple is generally regarded as the proper Vadathali Temple, while the Someswarar Temple is known as Keezh Thali. Locally, the Dharmapureeswarar Temple is also called the Muzhaiyur Temple, although there is a separate Parasunathar Temple in Muzhaiyur, which is a Thevaram Vaippu Sthalam. Additionally, the Dharmapureeswarar Temple is referred to as Vallalar Koil.

According to local lore, the temple was hidden by Jains, who buried it under mud. Appar, seeking the temple, learned of this from locals and, distressed by the situation, undertook fasting until the temple was unearthed. It is said that Lord Shiva appeared in the dreams of Manimudi Chola, the Chola feudatory of the Pallavas, instructing him to assist in uncovering the temple. Following the king's intervention, the temple was rediscovered and consecrated for worship.

During the Chola era, when they served as feudatories of the Pallavas, the Cholas lived in Pazhayarai. This region later evolved into one of the Chola capitals. The nearby village of Cholan Maligai, now a collection of private houses and farmlands, is believed to be the site of the Chola palace, thus named Cholan Maligai. In those times, Muzhaiyur, Patteeswaram, Sakti Mutram, and Cholan Maligai served as army garrisons.

Over the centuries, the town has been known by various names. In the 7th century, it was called Pazhayarai due to the nearby Pazhayar River. By the 8th century, it was known as Nandipuram (as referenced in the story of Nandipura Vinnagaram / Nathan Koil Divya Desam Temple, located nearby). In the 9th century, it was renamed Mudikonda Cholapuram, reflecting the river's name change to Mudikondan River. Later, in the 12th century, it became Rajapuram, named after Rajaraja Chola II, who was raised here under the care of his sister Kundavai, the elder sister of Rajaraja Chola I.

Kamadhenu, the celestial cow, had four daughters, one of whom, Vimali, worshipped Lord Shiva at this temple, leading to the naming of the goddess here as Vimala Nayaki.

Pazhayarai is also noted as the avathara sthalam for two of the 63 Nayanmars in Saivism: Mangayarkarasi, one of only two female Nayanmars who became the queen of Koon Pandian (also known as Kubja Pandian, and later Sundara Pandian of Madurai, who himself became a Nayanmar), and Amara Neethi Nayanar.

Mangayarkarasi is believed to be the daughter of Manimudi Chola, the king who uncovered this temple at Appar's request. Her murti is situated in the inner prakaram of the temple, facing south. She attained mukti in Madurai, and her Guru Puja is celebrated on Rohini Nakshatra day in the Tamil month of Chithirai (April-May). Manimudi Chola is also known for his unsuccessful attempt to straighten the Lingam at Thiruppanandal until Kunkiliya Kalaya Nayanar succeeded.

Amaraneethi Nayanar, whose Guru Puja is observed on Pooram Nakshatra day in the Tamil month of Aani (June-July), was also born in Pazhayarai and attained mukti at nearby Nallur. A bas relief of Amaraneethi Nayanar and his wife is carved on the wall next to the steps leading up to the main temple.

Arunagirinathar has sung praises of Murugan at this temple in his work Thiruppugazh.

The Dharmapureeswarar Temple is clearly a maadakoil, one of the 78 elevated temples attributed to Kochengat Chola. The main maha mandapam, ardha mandapam, and garbhagriha are at an elevated level, while the current structural design of the temple dates back to the later mediaeval Chola period, specifically the 10th century. The entire temple faces west.

The moolavar Lingam is unique, featuring a hexa-decagonal (16-sided) design, which is distinct in the Chola region. The goddess has a separate south-facing shrine in the maha-mandapam. In addition to the sculptures of Mangayarkarasi Nayanar and Amaraneethi Nayanar, the temple includes the usual koshtam deities: Vinayakar, Dakshinamurti, Lingodhbhavar, Brahma, and Durga. A murti of Rishabhantikar (Rishabharoodar) is also present. Within the prakaram, there are sub-shrines for Vinayakar and Murugan, and a shed to the right of the main entrance houses several Lingam murtis. The temple boasts several fascinating sculptures that highlight the Chola expertise in temple architecture and craftsmanship.

Inscriptions within the temple include one from the 15th century during the Vijayanagara dynasty, referencing renovations of the steps leading to the main shrines. This renovation was attributed to Poruvanur Vanatharayan Narasinga Devan, noted as his gift to the temple.

Administration History :

The Dharmapureeswarar Temple is administered by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu. Historically, the temple's administration has undergone various changes, particularly during the Chola period, when it was a significant centre of worship. The Vijayanagara dynasty also contributed to its upkeep, as evidenced by inscriptions documenting renovations. Over the years, the temple has retained its cultural and religious importance within the community, continuing to attract devotees and scholars alike.