19th
January 2020.
After
a gap of 2 months, once again started the temple Visit along with Mr Kesavan, a Heritage Enthusiast, from Arasar Koil to
Koovathur on the banks of Palar river, near Chengalpattu. This is one of the
Shiva temples waiting for someone to take care of. Even after the palalayam
the renovation works are yet to begin. It
is believed that the epic Mahabharat character Kunti Devi, during
Panchapandavas exile worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple.
Moolavar
: Kuntheeswarar
Consort : Vedanayagi
Some
of the salient features of this temple are.....
The
temple faces east with a Rajagopuram base.
Balipeedam and Nandhi are in front of Mukha mandapam. During
1960 CE, Walls are raised in the mukha mandapa for the Vinayagar and Valli
Devasena Subramaniar. Also, loose
sculptures of Shiva Lingam, Ambal, Dhandayuthapani, Suryan, and Bhairavar are in the
Mukha mandapam. Koshtas and Chandikeswarar sannidhi are empty now.
The
temple was renovated about 50 to 60 years before and the inscriptions are found
on the mukha mandapa ceiling. Solar and Lunar
eclipses are shown in the form of reliefs on the ceiling. Ambal is in a separate sannidhi facing south.
Even though the temple is claimed to be more than
1000 years old, might have been constructed during the Vijayanagara period.
ARCHITECTURE
The
temple was built with sanctum sanctorum, antarala, and artha mandapam with bricks.
The artha mandapa is supported with stone pillars square & octagonal with Vettu pothiyals. The sanctum sanctorum was built on a stone base ie up to
jagathy and brick construction was started from Kumuda. The prastaram is of
Kapota style with mathalam in the
valabi.
Solar and Lunar eclipse
PRESENT CONDITION
The
temple is now in dilapidated condition. The sanctum with artha mandapam is kept locked for safety
reasons. The tree roots damaged the Vimana extensively. But still, even at the age of 90+ years, Gurukkal
Chandramouli does the pooja sincerely. Pradoshams are also conducted.
TEMPLE TIMINGS:
Since
there is no fixed time, the Grukkal Chandramouli, who is staying near the
temple may be called for pooja.
HOW TO REACH:
The
temple is about 16.5 KM from Madurantakam, 26.3 KM from Kalpakkam, 40 KM from
Chengalpattu, and 100 KM from Chennai.
Nearest
Railway Station is Kanchipuram.
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE
Rishabam in mandapa on the background Ambal Sannadhi
Mukha mandapa
Artha mandapam
Veerabhadra & Murugan on the mandapa pillars
Pillar reliefs
---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---
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