A Pallava Period Shiva Temple, Koppur, Thiruvallur District, Tamil Nadu.

The Visit to this Pallava period Shiva Temple at Koppur was a part of the Shiva, Maha Vishnu, and Amman Temples visit, near Poonamallee & Aranvoyal in Thiruvallur District/Tiruvallur District on 05^th December 2021. Initially, it was aimed to visit the Shiva temples of Nemam and Kuthambakkam, the other temples were added as an extension to the above temples and recommended by devotees of the temples and Sivachariyars.  When I, enquired about an old temple in the Village of Koppur, the locals, Guided me to this temple.

Moolavar  : Lord Shiva

Consort    : Parvati

Some of the salient features of this temple are…

The temple faces east with a balipeedam and a big Rishabam/Idabam under a meta color sheet mandapam. Moolavar is also a little big like Rishabam. There are no images in the Koshtam or the niches. The Vinayagar and Murugan are found eroded/damaged condition in front of the sanctum.

In Praharam Vinayagar (head is in an inclined position), Chandikeswarar, damaged Dakshinamurthy, Ambal, Bairavar, and A Shiva Linga with sandstone Avudayar.

The temple tank with a Shiva Lingam is in front of the temple.  

ARCHITECTURE

The temple was built without following any agama. The temple was completely with laterite stone (செம்புராங்கல்). The sculptures of Vinayagar and Murugan are sculptured with sandstone. The Sanctum sanctorum is without Vimanam. The temple is only with sanctum sanctorum.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

As per the iconography of the Bhairavar, Ambal, and Chandikeswarar, this may belong to the 9^th Century Pallava period, since there is no direct evidence available to prove its antiquity.

The Ambal was unearthed in recent years while excavating for erecting a post/Pillar (for fencing) in front of the temple.

LEGENDS

It is believed that Suriyan worships Lord Shiva and Sun rays fall on moolavar on 3 days in a year.

It was told that there are 108 Shiva Lingas installed by the siddhars in this Village and this is one of them. There is also another  Shiva Linga on the opposite side of the Temple tank.  

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular oru kala pooja, no other important festivals are conducted.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

Since oru kala pooja is conducted the opening and closing times are unpredictable.

CONTACT DETAILS

HOW TO REACH

The temple is about 2.8 KM off from Poonamallee to Thiruvallur Main Road, 10 KM from Thiruvallur, 14.5 KM from Thiruninravur, 19 KM from Poonamallee, 33 KM from Koyambedu and 40 KM from Chennai Central.

Nearest Railway station is Thiruvallur. 

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Vinayagar- sand stone 

Dakshinamurthy - sandstone 

Bairavar

Chandikeswarar

Avudayar is in sand stone

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---