A Pallava period Shiva Temple with Vinayagar, Jyeshta Devi and Somaskandar. Periyavenmani, near Venmari, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu.

Happened to visit this Shiva temple during one of the temple's heritage visits along with Mr. Kesavan, a student and Heritage Enthusiast. This temple is in Tamil Nadu and was built by the Pallavas during the 8^th to 9^th centuries.

The temple faces east and with a temple tank. A Rishabam is in front of the temple. Moolavar is on a round Avudaiyar. 

In the praharam, there are Rishabam, Stone Soolam/trident, Vinayagar, Somaskandar, and Jyeshta Devi sculptures. The Somaskandar sculpture is considered to be the rarest one since Skanda is on a horse. Usually, Skanda will be standing between Lord Shiva and Parvati.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple was built with a Sanctum Sanctorum and an artha mandapam. The sanctum is about 2 feet above the ground level. The sanctum sanctorum is built on a stone base up to Jagathy, and from Kumudam to Sigaram, built with bricks. The prastaram consists of valapi and kapotam, with nasikudus. The bhitti and vimanam are built with Brick and plastered with lime mortar. The Brahma kantha pilasters are also built with brick. The Kumba and kalasa of the pilasters, with their shapes, are built with specially made bricks. The koshtas are built in the sala (gopura) style. An eka tala Vesara vimana with greeva koshtas is on the top of the bhumidesam.

The temple is under maintenance, and works are moving at a snail's pace. 

 

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---