Sri Ramanatheswarar and Sri Kasi Viswanathar Temple, Kavanur, Sirukalathur, Kundrathur, Kanchipuram District, Tamil Nadu.

07^th April 2019.

It was planned to visit Vishnu / Ramar,  and Shiva Temples (Sri Kailasanathar Temple, Sri Kasi Viswanathar Temple)  at Agaramel and Meppur along the Chembarambakkam Tank eastern bund. But to my bad luck, none of the temples  were open. Finally decided to visit the Sri Ramanatheswarar Temple, which is on a small hill at Kavanur, a part of Sirukalathur near Kundrathur. During our Adyar Cultural Mapping visit, this temple was under reconstruction. This very small  hill was a megalithic site that had Cairn circles, but the same has now been disturbed. The temple was reconstructed, and Kumbhabhishekam was also conducted.

Moolavar    : Sri Ramanatheswarar & Sri Kasi Viswanathar

Consort      : Sri Parvathavarthini  & Sri Visalakshi

Some of the salient features of this temple are…

The temple was constructed on a very small mount facing east with an entrance mandapam on the south. Rishaba mandapam and palipedam are on the east side. Sri Visalakshi Amman is in the antarala facing south.  Sri Parvatha vardhini is in the Artha mandapam. Sannadhi for Nalvar, Suryan, Chandran, and Bairavar are in the ardha mandapam.

Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma, and Durgai are in koshtam. In the outer prakaram 63var, Kasi Viswanathar (in a separate mandapam), Saptha kannis, Chandikeswarar and 8 Lingas on eight directions (under construction). Except for Moolavar and Amman, the rest of the statues are new, including koshtam. The Parvathavarthini Sannadhi and Visalakshi Sannadhi, and stucco images are not part of the original temple but were added at a later date.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple complex consists of a sanctorum,  antarala, and ardha mandapam. The sanctum was built on a pada bandha adhistana.  A three-tier nagara vimana (built during this renovation) is in the sanctum. The sanctum and koshtam are supported by the Vishnu kantha pilasters with a square base, nagabandam, malaithongal, kalasam, thadi, kudam, lotus petals mandi, palakai, veerakandam, and poomottu pothyal. The prastaram consists of valapi, kapotam with nasikudus and vyyalavari. A two-tier nagara vimanam is on the bhumi desam. Stucco images of Shiva, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu and Brahma are in the tala and greeva koshtams. 

 

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The temple was built during the 16^th to 17^th Century Nayak period, and faint inscriptions are found on the muppattai Kumudam.

Inscriptions of kumudam

LEGENDS

It is believed that Sri Ramar and Sekkizhar worshipped Lord Shiva of this temple, and Sita is Vaibhava Lakshmi in this temple. 

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept open from 08.00 hrs to 11.00 hrs, and from 17.00 hrs to 20.30 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS:

The mobile number of Vijay +918056987337 may be contacted for Poojas, Kaingaryam and further details.

HOW TO REACH:

This temple is close to the Sirukalathur post office  and the Sirukalathur bus stop.

About  2.2 km from Kundrathur and 20 km from Sriperumbudur on the Kundrathur to Sriperumbudur Road.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

 Saptha Kannis

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---