Madambakkam Shiva Temple is an ancient shrine located at
Madambakkam, in
Kanchipuram District of
Tamil Nadu. This ancient
Chola temple enshrines
Lord Shiva as the presiding deity, known here as Lord Dhenupureeswarar. The deity is installed here in the form of a Shivling, facing east.
This delightful shrine is apsidal in shape (known as Gajaprishta Vimana in
Sanskrit), a feature found in some Chola temples in and around Chennai. Situated close to the main shrine is the sanctum of Goddess Dhenukambal. Other deities worshipped include
Lord Ganesh, Sri Varadaraja Perumal with Sri Devi and Bhu Devi, Sri Kapilanathar and Annapurani and Sivasubrahmanya with Valli and Devasena. Exquisite sculptures of Lord Ganesh,
Lord Dakshinamurthy,
Lord Vishnu,
Lord Brahma and
Goddess Durga are found in the niches of the outer walls of the sanctum.
Madambakkam Shiva Temple dates back to more than 1000 years and was built during the reign of the Chola king, Parantaka II, also known as Sundara Chola (956-973 AD) - father of Rajaraja Chola I. The shrine was probably rebuilt of stone during the reign of Kulottunga Chola I.
Madambakkam Shiva Temple is close to
Tambaram and is about 37 km from
Chennai.
Tambaram Railway Station is the nearest railhead.
