Sri Agneeswarar Temple / Shri Easwaran Koil / Hero Stone, Kadalur, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Agneeswarar Temple at Kadalur, near Kalpakkam was a part of Shiva and Vishnu Temple and heritage sites along the East Coast Road, visit on 25^th December 2021. Thanks to Kesavan for accompanying me to all these places.

Moolavar  : Sri Agneeswarar

Consort    : Sri Parvati

Some of the salient features of this temple are...

The temple faces east with balipeedam and a Rishabam.  Stucco images of Lord Shiva with Parvati, Vinayagar, and Murugan are on the top of the entrance to the Maha mandapam. In koshtam, Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, Brahma and Durgai.

In Prakaram, Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Chandikeswarar, Ambal, Bhairavar, Nagar and an Ambal. Ambal is in a separate temple like sannidhi facing south.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of a Sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam, and a Maha Mandapam. The adhisthana is of simple pada bandha adhisthana with jagathy, three patta kumuda, and pattikai. The Bhitti starts with Vedhigai. The Koshats and salas are separated by brahmakantha pilasters with square base,   thamaraikattu, kalasam, thadi, kudam, mandi, palagai, veerakandam and pothyal. The pothyals are of vettu pothyal. The prastaram consists of valapi, kapotam and vyalavari. Ekkathala stucco vimanam is over the prastaram. The Greeva koshtam has stucco images of Lord Shiva, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, and Brahma. The Sigaram is of vesara style.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

There are no inscriptions found on the adhistana or on the bhitti. One of the Chozha period style pillars is found in Murugan / Subramaniyar Temple. Based on this the original temple may belong to the Chozha period and was reconstructed during the Vijayanagara period. Again the temple is reconstructed during recent years and waiting for the consecration. Based on the above facts the original temple may belong to the 12^th to 13^th century.

LEGENDS

It is believed that Devas and Pancha Bhoothas worshiped lord Shiva of this temple, especially Agni. Hence Lord Shiva is called Agneeswarar.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Since Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted, no regular poojas were conducted. But in Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar sannidhi regular oru kala pooja is conducted since this temple seems to be very old and was not taken for reconstruction.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

Since Oru kala pooja is conducted at Murugan Temple, closing and opening times are unpredictable.

HOW TO REACH

The Village of Kadalur is about 2.6 KM from East Coast Road. All the buses To Pondicherry and Cuddalore will stop at Mugaiyur and Autos are available from there.

Kadalur is about 12.7 KM from Kalpakkam, 26 KM from Thirukazhukundram, 27 KM from Mahabalipuram, 40 KM from Chengalpattu, and  81 KM from Chennai Central.

The nearest railway station is Chengalpattu.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Marugan Sannidhi

A Pallava / Chozha Pillar

Chandikeswarar  and Murugan 

Hanuman and Duragai

Brahma and Maha Vishnu

Dakshinamurhy and Vinayagar

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---