Dhandeeswarar Temple, Velachery

The Dhandeeswarar Temple is a Shiva temple in Velachery, a suburb of Chennai, about 2 km east of Guru Nanak College on Velachery Main Road. Built under the Pallavas and later repaired and rebuilt by the Cholas, it has a main temple and a tank. Legend says Yama, weakened after Shiva kicked him at Thirukadavur to save Markandeya, made the Yama Theertham tank here, installed the lingam and prayed; Shiva restored him and gave him a staff (dhandam), hence the name. The four Vedas are also said to have regained their strength here, and Velachery is said to come from Veda Shreni.

The goddess is Karunambika. The temple has a five-tier vimana, shrines to Ganapati, Subrahmanya and Shasta, and images of Surya, Bhairavar and the 63 Nayanmars; its pillars carry Tamil and Devanagari inscriptions. Broken pillars and carvings show past neglect. The sun's rays once fell on the lingam on Tamil New Year, until tall buildings blocked them. It opens 6.30–11.30 am and 4–8.30 pm.