Konganeeswarar Temple / கொங்கனேஸ்வரர் கோயில், காவேரிப்பாக்கம் / Kaveripakkam, Ranipet District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Konganeeswarar Temple at Kaveripakkam was a part of Shiva, Vishnu Temples, and Heritage sites at Thirumalaicherry, Gudimallur, and Kaveripakkam. I extend my sincere thanks to Mr Ramesh Krishnamurthy for taking me to all these places. 

Moolavar  : Sri Konganeeswarar

Consort    : Sri Kungumavalli , Gnanakuzhalendhi

Some of the salient features of this temple are…

The temple faces west with an entrance arch north side. Balipeedam, Kodimaram, and Rishabam are on the west side of the temple.  Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of antarala. In koshtam, Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, and Durgai ( are in green stone of smaller in size and may be installed at a later date.

Since the temple is in palalayam, all parivara deities, Chandikeswarar, Bairavar, Vinayagar, Navagrahas, and Maha Vishnu with his consort. Murugan on his vahana Peacock, Chandran, Suryan, Nagar,  A Shiva Linga and Parvati.

Ambal is in a separate Sannidhi facing North in the ardha mandapam. Loose sculptures of Nagar, A Shiva Linga without avudayar, and A Green Stone Mahavishnu are in the praharam.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of Sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam and mukha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a raised upana. The adhisthana is kapota bandha adhisthana with kadaka kumuda. The Pilasters are Vishnukantha pilasters with square base, nagabandham, malaithongal, thamarikattu, Kalasam, kudam, thadi, mandi ( lotus petals and palakai. Pushpa pothyals are on the top of the pilasters. Kumbha panjaras divides the Koshtas. 

The mukha mandapam was built in recent years. 

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

Since there are no inscriptions to decide on the antiquity of the temple. Going by architectural style, this temple belongs to the 14th to 15th Century, Vijayanagara period. But as per the experts considering the Iconography of the Dwarapalakas and Maha Vishnu the original Shiva temple may belong to the 9th to 10th Century. It was further told that some of the inscription stones used at Kottai Perumal Temple belong to this original temple. 

The mandapam was extended from 19th to 20th Century. The mandapam ceiling inscription records the endowment of some gift to this temple for Naivedyam and poojas. 

LEGENDS

It is believed that the sun worships Lord Shiva of this temple. The sun's rays fall on moolavar on three days beginning with the New Moon Day in the month of Puratasi ( September – October ).

As per the legend, a Siddhar called Kongana  with his wife Ganakilambigai came to this place, established an ashram, and lived there. He worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple, hence Lord Shiva obtained the name of Konganeswarar. The siddhar had a drift with Vasuki, wife of Thiruvalluvar, and left for Tirupati. There he had written many literatures and attained Samadhi.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

The temple is now under palalayam. Usually apart from regular poojas special poojas are conducted on Pradosham, Mahashivaratri, etc.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

Since Oru kala pooja is conducted, at Palalayam, and the opening and closing times are unpredictable.

CONTACT DETAILS

HOW TO REACH

This temple at Kaveripakkam is about a km from Madras – Bombay trunk Road / Chennai to Vellore Road / Mumbai Hwy.

The temple is about 10 km from Walaja Toll gate, 11.6 km from Walajahpet, 15 km from Sholinghur, 17.4 km from Arcot, 17 km from Ranipet,  38 km from Vellore and 95 km from Chennai.

Nearest Railway Station is Sholinghur

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Dwarapalakas

Maha Vishnu

Maha Vishnu and Brahma are made of green stone

Vishnu Durgai

The temple is under Palalayam / Ilangoil

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---