26th May
2019.
After
the darshan of Sri Pesum Perumal, we went to this Shiva Temple in the
isolated northeast Corner of the Village Koozham Pandal otherwise known as
Koolamandal near Kanchipuram. This place was called Vikrama
Chozhapuram under Jayangonda Chozha Mandalam, Kazhiyur Kottam Bakoor
Nadu. Rajendra Chozha-I was also called Vikrama Chozha. The temple was
reconstructed and maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India ( ASI ).
The second time also visited this temple was on 16th November 2019, a part of the Thirumukkudal Temples Visit along with Mr Gandhi Rajan and Mrs Sakthi Prakash.
Moolavar :
Sri Gangaikonda Choleswarar also called as
Sri Jagannatheeswarar.
As
per the inscriptions, this temple was built by Chozha King Rajendran-I’s ( 1012
– 1044 CE ) spiritual Guru Eesana Siva Pandithar after the Victory
of land up to Ganga by Rajendran-I. Loose sculptures which include
Dakshinamurthy are installed on a pedestal at the south side entrance.
The
temple faces east with a Rishabam and cylindrical Pillars ( a mandapa might
have existed earlier ). The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum,
antarala and a Artha mandapam / maha mandapam. Moolavar is a little taller. The maha mandapa has entrances from the south and east side with dwarapalakas are
a special feature of this temple. The south side entrance has the steps called
Gajahastha Shobana steps. Ambal sannadhi is in the maha mandapa, believed to be
before the Kulothunga period.
ARCHITECTURE
The
sanctum was built with upanam, and adhistanam (Padma, Kumudam, Yazhi vari,
Pattikai, bitti, etc,.) Prastaram, Greevam, Sigaram and Stupi. This sanctum
has Six parts as per Silpa Shastra. The Adhistanam is called Padmabandha
adhistanam. The Vimana is of Vesara style. Upanam to Sikaram was completely
built with stone. The haram also has six parts. In koshtam, Vinayagar,
Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma, and Mahishasura Mardini. ASI claims that
these statues belong to the Rajendra Chozha Period.
In
prastaram is with bhuta vari in valapi, Kabotham, and Yazhivari. Kabotham has
the karnakudus with various images. The Vimana is of Two tiers. The Greevam
consists of Nandi and Karna Koodu, which is a special feature of this temple.
As per the experts, the style of construction of this temple was adopted in Gangaikonda
Chozhapuram and it was borrowed from the Chalukya, Sangameswarar temple. On the
Vimana north side, Ardhanareeswara is in a sitting posture is also a special
feature of this temple.
HISTORY
AND INSCRIPTION
The
temple was constructed during the Rajendra Chozha –I period by his Rajaguru Eesana
Siva Pandithar (1012 to 1020 CE), who was also Rajaguru for Rajaraja
Chozha-I.
As
per the inscription this place Koozham pandal was called Vikrama chozha puram,
which was a part of Jayangonda Chozhamandalathu Kazhiyur Kottathu
Baakoor /Paakur Nadu.
The
Rajendra Chozha-I, 22nd-year rule 1034 CE period inscription records the
gift of land as Devathanam to this temple at Akkur.
In
addition to Chozha Period inscriptions, Vijayanagara period inscriptions are
also found in this temple. The inscriptions mainly speak about the donation of
land, Goats, Cows, Gold, etc,. The income from the land and interest for the money
was utilized towards daily poojas, celebrations, and the burning of perpetual
lamps.
HOW
TO REACH:
The
temple is about 500 meters off on Kanchipuram to Vandavasi main road.
The
Village Koolamandal is 18 KM from Kanchipuram, 22 KM from Vandavasi, and 100 KM
from Chennai.
All
the route buses from Kanchipuram to Polur via Dhusi, Vandavasi pass through
this Village Koolamandal.
Town
bus route No 35 from Kanchipuram to Manamathi passes through this Village.
---OM
SHIVAYA NAMA---
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