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DHENUPUREESHWARAR TEMPLE - SHIVA - THE SAVER OF SAGE KAPILA - MADAMBAKKAM

DHENUPUREESWARAR TEMPLE - MADAMBAKKAM - CHENNAI
Dhenupureeswarar Temple is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Madambakkam near Tambaram,Chennai. (3 KM’s from Rajakizhapakkam). 
Lord Shiva in the form of a Swayambhu Lingam(Self manifested Lingam) is known as Dhenupureeswarar, because he gave moksha to Kapila Muni in the form of a Cow (Dhenu or Kamadhenu).The Sage Kapila, is said to have been reborn as a cow for his sin of having improperly worshiped a Shiva Lingam.
King Sagara(Ocean) was peforming the Ashwamedha Yagna. The Royal Horse which was let loose was stolen by Indra, who tied it in Sage Kapila’s ashram. The sons of Sagara who were on the lookout for the horse found it in the ashram and thought it must have been stolen by sage Kapila. They called Sage Kapila a thief and broke his meditation. The sage saw the 60000 sons of Sagara and in his anger uttered the word “Hmm”, instantly all the sons of sagara were burnt to ashes. He was repentant of his act and in order to atone for it prayed to Shiva. He felt that the shivalinga would be desecrated if it was placed on the earth and hence held the Shivalinga in his left hand, while performing the pujas with his right hand. Lord shiva taking note of the sage’s inappropriate worshipping pattern, cursed him to be reborn as a cow and to attain moksha on worshipping the lord.
Sage Kapila in the form of the cow worshipped Shiva by pouring milk on the Shiva lingam directly from its Udder daily. The cowherd was perplexed when the cow would not give milk. When he found that the cow was pouring its milk on a stone, he got wild and threw a stone at its udder. The cow moved in pain and hit the shiva linga with its hoof. Blood started gushing out of the Linga. Seeing this the cowherd became unconscious. Shiva appeared and granted moksha (liberation) to Kapila muni and forgave the cowherd who had ill-treated the cow. Hence the lord is know as Dhenu(Cow) Puree(Place)Ishwar (Lord).
Dhenupureeswarar's consort here is Dhenukambal.
The temple was constructed between 956 & 973 AD.The temple was built during the reign of Parantaka Chola II, father of Raja Raja Chola I, who constructed the famous Brihadeeswara Temple in Thanjavur. The temple is thought to have been consolidated with stones during the reign of Kulothunga Chola I. Additions were made by the Cheras and Vijiyanagara Kings.
The main building of the temple, which contains the statue of Dhenupureeswara in linga form, faces east and his consort faces south in a separate sanctum. The Temple has Mukha Mandapam ( without a Rajagopuram) to enter into and a square compound. On the entrance you will find the Dhwaja Sthamba along with a Nandi. Inside the 1st compound, the temple has wall’s on all sides, except for 1/6th of the area on the south-eastern side, where a Mandapam is built with 18 pillars in rows of 3’s. These 18 pillars are a treasure trove of art and sculpture.
This mandapam leads to the Maha Mandapam, where Adi Shankara has layed the Shrichakra, and further leads to the Ardhamandapam and the sanctum of the lord. The sanctum of the goddess is perpendicular to that of the lord and faces south. 
1.The sanctum Sanctorum, (Garbhagriha) is apsidal or D shaped (Gajaprishta vimana) (also described as shaped like the back of an elephant), )
2.There are 3 Gopuram’s.The Gopuram on the Amman Sannidhi is taller than the one on the main Sanctom of the lord which is unique.
3. In the Ardhamandapa on the left side of the lord, outside the garbhagriha, is the image of Sage Kapila with a lingam on his left hand, in the inside of a pillar.
4. Common are the discussion on largest lingam, this Swayambhu lingam could be the smallest, only 8 inches in size.
5. There is a big pond or Kulam( Teertham) adjacent to the temple well maintained with clean water.
6. The 18 pillared hall, is filled with frescos in which some of them are unique. (See Photographs)
The fresco of the Jyothirlingam, with Brahma flying to the sky as a swan and Vishnu boring down into the earth, is a very unique and most beautiful fresco.

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