19th
January 2020.
After
a gap of 2 months, once again started the temples 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 temple waiting for some one to take care off. 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 is facing 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, Bhairavar are in the
mukha mandapam. Koshtas and Chandikeswarar sannadhi 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
eclipse are shown in the form of reliefs on the ceiling. Ambal is in a separate sannadhi facing south.
Even-though
the temple is claimed to be more than
1000 years old, might have been constructed during Vijayanagara period.
ARCHITECTURE
The
temple was built with sanctum sanctorum, antarala, artha mandapam with bricks.
The arthamandapa is supported with stone pillars of square & octagonal are with
vettu pothyals. The sanctum sanctorum was built on a stone base ie up to
jagathy and brick construction was started from Kumuda. The prastharam is of
kapotha style with mathalam in the
valabi.
Solar and Lunar eclipse
PRESENT CONDITION
The
temple is now in dilapidated condition. The sanctum with artha mandapam are 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: CLICK HERE
Nandhi 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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