Sri Kanaka Choleeswarar Temple / Sri Pon Parappina Eswaramudayar Temple, Kaniyamur / Kaniyamoor, Villupuram District, Tamil Nadu.

02^nd June 2019.

This temple visit was not planned during our Ahimsa Walk. Mr Mahatma SelvaPandiyan, guided us to this temple which is about 5 KM off  on Salem Ulundurpet National Highway.  To our request, the temple priest was kind enough to open the door and had the darshan of Lord Shiva. The temple was built by the small regional King ( Kurunila mannan ) Vanakovaraiyan under Kulothunga Chozha-III. He assumed the title of Pon Parappina in front of his name Vanakovararaiyan. As per the history He was the instrumental for the fall of Chozha Dynasty in Tamil Nadu.

Moolavar    : Sri Kanaka Choleeswarar, 

                   Sri Pon Parappina Eswaramudayar

Consort      : Sri Soundara Nayaki. 

Some of the important features of this temple are…

The temple is facing east with a small entrance. Only Rishabam and balipeedam are in front of sanctum sanctorum. There was a mention about a Dwajasthambam in the inscription but it is not in its place. In Koshtam, Nirutha Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Vishnu, Brahma and Durgai. 

In the prakaram loose sculptures of Suryan, Bhairavar, Dakshinamurthy ( to replace old damaged one in the Koshtam ), Nalvar, Vinayagar, Shiva Linga, A Nagar with Vinayagar,  Sri Valli Devasena Arumugar and Chandikeswarar.  Ambal Sri Soundara Nayaki is in a separate sannadhi, built with brick may be added latter.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala and artha mandapam. The sanctum is on a simple pada bandha adhisthana. The prastaram has the Kapotham and below the Kabotham ( Valabai ) lotus flower as adhama padmam and Yazhivari is over the Kapotham / Bhoomi Desam. The kapotham has the Nasi /kudus. Various reliefs are in nasi koodu. 

The walls/ bitti and corners  are supported by pilasters of Vishnu kantha pillars consisting of malai thongal, thamaraikattu, Kalasam, Kumbam, mandi / Pali, Palakai, kandam and Pothyal. Rishabams are on four corners of Bhoomi Desam. The ekathala 8 faced Dravida Vimanam was constructed with stone from Adhistanam to stupi / Kalasam. The Kapotha nasis has the niches with images of Dakshinamurthy, Narasimhar and Brahma. The Sikaram is of 8 faces  with padmam on the top. One of the special feature is the is the Koshtam also built with kapotham. The architecture of the Vimana reminds the Thirunthuthevankudi Sri Karkadeswarar Temple near Kumbakonam.

 

 An 8 face Dravida Vimanam with girivam, Sikaram and stupi

A Sala with Kapotham above Koshtam

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTION

The temple was built during a Regional King ( Kurunila mannan ) Vanakovaraiyan, who ruled under Kulothunga Chozha-III ( 1178 – 1218 CE ) in 13^th Century.  The inscriptions belongs to Chozhas and Pandyas.  The inscriptions mainly speaks about donation of 3000 kuzhi land for the temple by Vanakovaraiyan Villavarayan and the income to be utilized for the daily poojas and celebrations. During Rajaraja-II period Devaradiyars had given donation for creating a nandhavanam and construction of Stone temple ( may be a part of this temple ). The Sundara Pandyan, who defeated Rajarajan-III ( 1216- 1256 CE ) inscription speaks about celebration of 9 day festival and first respect to be given to the weaver Community on the festival day.

Inscription about donation of land

PRESENT STATUS

The temple is under Palalayam and renovation works are halted due to lack of Villagers support. The sad part of this temple is the approach path. The path is being used as public open toilet. It was learned that the temple land is  in  dispute between the Villagers and the temple authorities for construction of a Community Hall. Lord Shiva only has to wake up to solve this problem.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

Since Oru kala pooja is done in this temple, opening and closing times are unpredictable. The Kurukkal may be contacted before visiting the temple.

CONTACT DETAILS:

Gurukkal N Rajappan may be contacted on this mobile +91 9443621844 and +91 8144280846.

HOW TO REACH:

The temple is about 5 KM off Main Road on Salem to Villupuram High way after Chinna Salem.

13.9 KM from Kallakurichi, 93 KM from Salem and 284 KM from Chennai.

LOCATION: CLICK HERE

 Ambal sannadhi

 Interior view of Vimana

 Old      Dhakshinamurthy      New 

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---