A visit to this temple was a part of the Kongu
Temples Heritage visit organized on 6th January 2019. Coupled with the visit to
the Kulatheivam temple darshan. Before boarding the train to Chennai visited
this Temple in the Erode Fort area.
Moolavar : Sri Mahimaleeswarar
Consort : Sri Mangalambigai
Some
of the important salient features are…
The
temple faces west with a three-tier Rajagopuram. In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma, and Durgai. In the artha mandapam,
sannidhi for Vinayagar, Bala Dhandapani, and Ambal sannidhi.
In
the praharam Saraswati,
Veerabhadra, Saptamatrikas, 63var, 12 Shiva Lingas, Ganapathy, Subramaniyar,
Bairavar, Chandran, Suryan, and Chandikeswarar.
ARCHITECTURE
The temple consists of a sanctum sanctorum, antarala, and ardha mandapam. Rishabam, balipeedam, and Dwajasthambam are in the mukha mandapam. The gopuram above the sanctum was renovated in recent years. A lot of stucco images are added during the renovation.
HISTORY & INSCRIPTIONS
As
per History, it is believed to have been built by Kodumbalur Irukku Velir, one of the descendants of Mahimalaya Irukkuvel Paranthaka Veera Chozhan (940 to 980 CE). He
was a Chieftain with Parantaka Chozha and also acted as the 1st King
of Kongu Chozhas of the Kongu region.
Before the Chozha Kingdom, the Kongu region was an independent country. Chozha King Adhithan (870 – 907 CE) captured Kongu and delegated the power of
ruling, and also allowed them to name themselves with the Chozha king’s names, like Rajendran, Vikrama
Chozha, etc. Hence, they were called Kongu Chozhas. Even though it is believed that Irukku Velir
King Veera Chozhan built this temple, experts believe that the temple might have existed before the 10th
century, ie, between the 08th to 9th centuries by the early Chozhas as a brick structure.
LEGEND
As
per the legend, the demons Mali, Sumali, and Makima constructed the temple; hence, Lord Shiva was named after the Asuras. Since Moolavar is larger than the door's
width, it was assumed that this temple was built by the Asuras. On the contrary, if the Lingam is smaller than
the door, then the temple might have been built by Devas, and if both are equal, then the
temple might have been built by Human beings.
TEMPLE TIMINGS:
The temple will be kept open for darshan from 07.00
hrs- 11.00 hrs, and from 17.00 hrs to 20.30 hrs.
CONTACT DETAILS:
HOW TO REACH:
The
temple is situated in the middle of the city, Erode Fort, and close to Panneerselvam Park.
The
temple is about 3.5 km from Erode bus stand and 2 km from Erode Railway
Junction.
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE
Stucco images are added to the original Vimana
Stucco images are added to the original Vimanam
Stucco images are added to the original Vimanam
Dwarapalakas
Old Photographs PC: Mrs Sakthi Prakash
Old Photographs PC: Mrs Sakthi Prakash
Old Photographs PC: Mrs Sakthi Prakash
---OM
SHIVAYA NAMA---
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