15,
January.2015.
My
Tiny Village Pappavalasu is about 4 KM from Kunnathur in Erode district.
Whenever I used to cross Kunnathur to Gobichttipalayam or Coimbatore thought of
visiting the Kunnathur Shiva Temple. Some how it could not happened. But during
my recent Visit to my native Place Visited this temple. I had done my school
education in NRKN ( NR Karuppana Nadar Kalvi Nilayam ) High school and then I
did my Engineering Diploma at Government Polytechnic, Coimbatore. During my
school days I was not an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva.
After
reading the book about Kongu Nadu published by the ASI
( Archaeological Survey Of India ), I feel very proud
of being born in a historical place which had links to Hindu and Jain
religion and ruled by Chera,Chozha, Pandya, Hoysala, Vijayanagara
Kings and Mysore Wodeyars, ( The Vijayamangalam was once a capital
to Kongu Nadu, is very near to my Native Place. The Vijayamangalam still
has a Jain temple which I have to explore yet ).
I
had made up my mind that I will cover one or two places of History during my
future visits to my native place. Hence I mentioned this post as PART-1.
Moolavar Vimanam with Chandikeswarar Sannadhi
HISTORY OF
KUNNATHUR IN KURUPPA NADU
The
old name of this Kunnathur was “Kundrathur”, in Kongu Nadu. Kongu Nadu was
called after name nectar. Kongu nadu was divided in to four parts via North
Kongu Nadu, South Kongu Nadu, Mel Kongu Nadu and Keel Kongunadu. The
present Erode district lies in South and North Kongu Nadu. This was divided in
to 24 sub sections called as Nadus once again. Kunnathur is in one of the
Sub sect Nadu called “Kuruppu Nadu”, which comes under Perundurai. It was
believed that large number of Kurumbu section ( குறும்ப இன மக்கள் ) people lived in this area. The
name Kurumbu latter turned to Kuruppu. ( I used to wonder why this Name
“Kuruppu Nadu” is mentioned in the marriage betrothal ceremonies ( Nadu
Vilambuthal - நாடு விளம்புதல் ). Now I under stood how I belongs
to “Kupruppa Nadu” – we belongs to “Kuruppa Nadu Kammalars” ).
KUNNATHUR
SHIVA TEMPLE.
As
per ASI this temple was built during 14th century with Hoysala’s
architecture. But this was completely changed to the present structure ignoring
the past. There is no trace of the old structure now. It is a shame of the
history. The present Shiva temple is a reconstructed one,
without any remembrance of the past glory and structure. There was
no epigraph, which might have been destroyed during renovation. I still remember,
about the reconstruction of this temple during my school days through one
of my relative. But after reconstruction the old beauty has gone.
Moolavar : Sri Kundrapureeswarar
Some
of the important features of this temple are..
The
temple is facing west. There is no Rajagopuram instead there is an arch.
There
are Sannadhis for Vinayagar, Navagrahas, Chandran and Suriyan. There is a
Deepasthambham/ Vilakku Thoon or Garuda thoon in front of the temple. The
temple is under renovation for Kumbhabhishekam.
HOW TO REACH :
Kunnathur
is on the state high way between Gobichettipalayam to Tiruppur and Erode,
Perundurai to Coimbatore.
LOCATION OF
THE TEMPLE : CLICK
HERE
Ambal sannidhi Vimanam
Ambal sannidhi vimanam
Villakku thoon or Garuda thoon
SRI
LAKSHMI NARAYANA PERUMAL TEMPLE
Front view of the temple
Moolavar : Sri
Lakshmi Narayana Perumal
Some of the important features of this temple are ....
This temple just
opposite to Sri Kundrapureeswarar Shiva Temple on the straight line facing
east.
There is no separate Thayar
Sannidhi, since Sri Lakshmi is sitting on the left Lap of Sri Narayana perumal.
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
The temple has lot of
Epigraphs which proves that the temple was constructed during 12th century.
Now the temple is under renovation. There is no change in the old base
structure.
Inscriptions on the Sanctum Sanctorum wall
At least we have to appreciate that this epigraph is kept standing near a washing area
HOW
TO REACH :
Kunnathur is on the
state high way between Gobichettipalayam to Tiruppur and Erode, Perundurai to
Coimbatore.
LOCATION
OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK
HERE
Moolavar vimanam under renovation for Samprokshanam
Dwarapalakar
Villakku thoon or garuda Thoon
Front view of the temple entrance
GOOGLE MAP FOR THE LOCATION:: CLICK HERE
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ----