Sri Kalatheeswarar Temple / அருள்மிகு காளதீஸ்வரர் திருக்கோயில், பட்டையகாளிபாளையம் / Pattayakalipalayam, near Gobichettipalayam, Tamil Nadu.

8^th December 2018.

This temple is also called Then Kalathi after the Kalahasti temple in Andhra Pradesh. A Kuladheivam for a Vettuva Gounder’s Community of Kongu Nadu (Erode District), Tamil Nadu.

Moolavar : Sri Kalatheeswarar

Consort   : Sri Ganapoongothai

Some of the important features of this Temple are…

The temple faces east with a Deepasthambam and balipeedam. The Moolavar was believed to be brought from Kalahasti in Andhra Pradesh and swayambhu. On the back side of Moolavar Impon snakes (Rahu and Ketu) with 27 Lamps represent 27 nakshatras. It was observed that the top lamp is burning straight without wavering (Similar to Kalahasti). In koshtam, Dakshinamurthy and Durgai are added at a later date.  One of the special features of this is a Varaka statue in front of Palipedam in the Mukha mandapam.

At the entrance of the sanctum are Amman & Bala Dhandayuthapani. Rishabam is in the artha mandapam.  Temple-like sannidhi for Ambal Sri Gnana Poongothai facing east. Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar,  Navagrahas, Bairavar, and Nagars under a peepal tree.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of a sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam, and an asbestos sheet-covered mukha mandapam. The sanctum was built with stone pada bandha adhistana. The ardha mandapam and mukha mandapam were built at a later date. A stucco two-tier Nagara vimana is over the sanctum. 

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

As per the Sthala Purana, Kannappa Nayanar, one of the 63 Nayanmars, community Vettuva Kings Thirukachcharayar, Thiruverayar, Puvalarayar, and Kavalarayar ruled the Konkan region of Andhra Pradesh. Their descendants came and settled in this Kongu region about 800 years ago. They built this Madam and Temple in memory of their Kula Guru Kannappa Nayanar. As per Dr Ka Aranga Swamy, this temple was built 814 years ago. The Inscription on the sanctum walls belongs to the 15th to 16^th Centuries. The inscriptions mention the various Vettuva  community  sub-sects.

Inscriptions

LEGENDS, POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

People gather in large numbers on No Moon Day and Navarathri. People also do special poojas to reduce the ill effects of Rahu and Ketu dosha; hence, this temple is Rahu & Ketu Parihara Sthalam.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept open from 07.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs, and from 16.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS:

The temple official may be contacted for further details on the landline at +91 04256 261774.

HOW TO REACH:

Pattayakalipalayam is about 5 km from the Kavindapadi bus stand and 15.5 km from Gobichettipalayam.

3.9 km From the Kavindapadi Bus Terminus of the Gobichettipalayam, turn Left and the temple is about 1 km.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Idumban

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---