Sri Kanaka Choleeswarar Temple / Sri Pon Parappina Eswaramudayar Temple, Kaniyamur / Kaniyamoor, Viluppuram 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 the Salem Ulundurpet National Highway. To our request, the temple priest was kind enough to open the door and allow us to have 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 instrumental in the fall of the 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 faces east with a small entrance. Only Rishabam and balipeedam are in front of the sanctum sanctorum. There was a mention of a Dwajasthambam in the inscription, but it is not in its place. In Koshtam, Nirutha Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Vishnu, Brahma, and Durgai. 

In the praharam, loose sculptures of Suryan, Bhairavar, Dakshinamurthy (to replace the 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 later.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of the sanctum sanctorum, antarala, and ardha mandapam. The sanctum is on a simple pada bandha adhisthana. The prastaram has the kapotam and below the kapotam, (Valapi) lotus flower as adhama padmam, and Yazhivari is over the kapotam / Bhumidesam. The kapotam has the Nasi /kudus. Various reliefs are in nasi koodu. 

The walls/bhitti 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 the four corners of Bhoomi Desam. The eka tala 8-faced Dravida Vimanam was constructed with stone from adhistanam to the stupi / Kalasam. The kapota nasis has niches with images of Dakshinamurthy, Narasimhar, and Brahma. The sigaram is of 8 faces with padmam on the top. One of the special features is the koshtam, also built with kapotam. The architecture of the vimana reminds the Thirunthuthevankudi Sri Karkadeswarar Temple near Kumbakonam.

 

 An 8-face Dravida Vimanam with greevam, Sikaram, and stupi

A Sala with Kapotham above Koshtam

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTION

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

Inscription about the donation of land

PRESENT STATUS

The temple is under Palalayam, and renovation works are halted due to a lack of villagers' support. The sad part of this temple is the approach path. The path is being used as a public open toilet. It was learned that the temple land was  in dispute between the villagers and the temple authorities for the 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 Gurukkal 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 the Main Road on the Salem to Viluppuram Highway after Chinna Salem.

The temple is 13.9 km from Kallakurichi, 93 km from Salem, and 284 km from Chennai.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

 Ambal sannadhi

 Interior view of Vimana

 Old  -    Dhakshinamurthy   -   New 

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---