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 is facing 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 latter date.

Since the temple is in palalayam, all parivara deities, Chandikeswarar, Bairavar, Vinayagar, Navagrahas, 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 Nagar, A Shiva Linga with out avudayar, A Green Stone Mahavishnu are in the paraharam.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of Sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam and mukha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a raised upana. The adhisthana is kapotabandha adhisthana with kadaka kumuda. The Pilasters are of 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 are divides the Koshtas. 

The mukha mandapam was built during recent years. 

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

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

The mandapam was extended during 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 sun worships Lord Shiva of this temple. The sun rays falls on moolavar on three days beginning of 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 here. 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 to 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

Sonce Oru kala pooja is conducted, at Palalayam, 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 ---