Thirunareeswarar Shiva Temple, at Kandamangalam near Pondicherry, Villupuram District, Tamil Nadu.

03^rd September 2017.

After the Chidambaram Sri Nataraja Temple Heritage walks, we had our lunch at a hotel near the South side of Rajagopuram. It was planned to visit 4 temples associated with Chozha near Pondicherry on the way to Villupuram. Mr. Ulimakizh Rajkamal led us to all 4 temples and explained the details. The first stop was at Kandamangalam, Shiva Temple. During our visit preparation was in progress for the pradosam.

Moolavar    : Sri Thirunareeswarar

Consort      : Sri Thiripurasundari.

Some of the important features of this temple are…

This temple faces east with an entrance arch. Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam, and Rishabam are immediately after the entrance arch. In Koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Vishnu, Brahma and Durgai.

In the prakaram sannadhi for Valampuri Vinayagar, Maha Vishnu ( open to sky ), Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Gajalakshmi, Anjaneyar, Suryan, Bhairavar, Navagrahas and Chandran.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, and Mukha mandapam / artha mandapam. The adhitanam is of simple pada bandha adhistanam with 3 patta kumudam on a padma peedam. The pilasters are of Brahma kantha pilasters with Kalasam, kudam, palakai, and Vettu pothyals. The prastaram consists of Valapi, Kapotam and Viyyala vari. The roof is flat on the sanctum without any vimanam. Stucco dwarapalakas are in front of the sanctum. 

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

This temple was built by Kandarathitha Chozhan, but there is no inscription on his name, instead we could trace Rajendra Chozha and Kulothunga Chozha’s inscriptions.  The Temple is under the Control of the Archaeological Survey of India ( ASI ). As per the inscriptions, the place was called Sri Kandarathitha Mangalam and later turned into Kandamangalam.

 Rajendra Chozha’s inscription

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept open between 07.00 hrs to 09.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.

HOW TO REACH:

The place Kandamangalam is about 16 KM from Pondicherry and 40 KM from Villupuram on Pondicherry to Villupuram via Villianur road.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---