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 KonganeeswararConsort : Sri Kungumavalli, Gnanakuzhalendhi
Some
of the salient features of this temple are…The
temple faces west with an entrance arch on the north side. Balipeedam, Kodimaram, and Rishabam are on the west side of the temple. Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of the antarala.
In koshtam, Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, and Durgai (are in green stone
of smaller 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.
ARCHITECTUREThe temple consists of the sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam, and mukha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a raised upana. The adhistana is kapota bandha adhistana with kadaka kumuda. The pilasters are Vishnukantha pilasters with a square base, nagabandham, malaithongal, thamarikattu, kalasam, kudam, thadi, mandi with lotus petals, and palakai. Pushpa pothyals are on the top of the pilasters. kumbha panjaras divide the koshtas.
The mukha mandapam was built in recent years.
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONSThe temple belongs to the 9th-century Pallava period and later received contributions from Chozhas and Vijayanagaras. It was further said that some of the stones with inscriptions used at the Kottai Perumal temple belong to the Pallava period temple.
The Pallava King Nrpatungavarman’s 15th
reign year (884 CE), inscription at the entrance into the Amman shrine in the
Konkanisvara temple, records (an undertaking) by the sabhaiyar of Kavidipakkam
alias Avaninarayana - caturvédimangalam,” (in respect of) 17 kalanju of gold received
by them from Sadangaviyar of Kanvilccil in Odappurai (that they would supply)
daily one ulakku of oil (measured) by the ulakku equivalent to (the liquid measure called) Manaya-nali as unnaligai-puram
to god Tirumérrali-adigal (Visnu) of their village.
References :
1. ARE, 1905, no. 404; SII, xii, no. 67.
2. Inscriptions of the Pallavas by T V Mahalingam.
The mandapam was extended from the 19th to the 20th century. The mandapam ceiling inscription records the endowment of some gift to this temple for Naivedyam and poojas.
LEGENDSIt
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, the wife of Thiruvalluvar, and left for Tirupati. There, he had
written much literature and attained Samadhi.
POOJAS AND
CELEBRATIONSThe
temple is now under palalayam. Usually, apart from regular poojas, special poojas
are conducted on Pradosham, Mahashivaratri, etc.
TEMPLE TIMINGSSince
Oru Kala Pooja is conducted at Palalayam, the opening and closing times are
unpredictable.
CONTACT
DETAILS
HOW TO REACHThis
temple at Kaveripakkam is about a km from the 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.The 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 ---
The Pallava King Nrpatungavarman’s 15th
reign year (884 CE), inscription at the entrance into the Amman shrine in the
Konkanisvara temple, records (an undertaking) by the sabhaiyar of Kavidipakkam
alias Avaninarayana - caturvédimangalam,” (in respect of) 17 kalanju of gold received
by them from Sadangaviyar of Kanvilccil in Odappurai (that they would supply)
daily one ulakku of oil (measured) by the ulakku equivalent to (the liquid measure called) Manaya-nali as unnaligai-puram
to god Tirumérrali-adigal (Visnu) of their village.
References :
1. ARE, 1905, no. 404; SII, xii, no. 67.
2. Inscriptions of the Pallavas by T V Mahalingam.
Maha Vishnu and Brahma are made of green stone
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