Sri Jambukeswarar Temple/ Jambukeswarar Shivan Temple /ஜம்புகேஸ்வரர் சிவன் கோயில், பெரியார் நகர், கொரட்டூர் / Periyar Nagar, Korattur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Jambukeswarar Temple at Korattur was a part of the Shiva, Vishnu, and Amman Temples Visit at Padi, Korattur, and Madhavaram on 06^th February 2022. There are many Pallava / Chozha period Shiva Lingas unearthed during recent times from Padi to Korattur. This visit was aimed at seeing such old Shiva Temples / Shiva Lingas. But this Shiva temple has a history since the Chozha period.

Moolavar  : Sri Jambukeswarar

Consort    : Sri Akilandeswari

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple faces east with balipeedam and Rishabam / Idabam. A Big Temple Tank called Lakshmi pushkarani is on the back side of the temple. Temple temple may be accessed from the east side and south side. There is a mottai Gopuram on the south side. The stucco image of Shiva’s family is on the south side entrance to Ardha Mandapam. In ardha mandapam Two Vinayagars, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Utsava  murthis, Bairavar Suriyan and Nalvar. Deva Koshtas are empty. Kagabujandar's bas-sculpture is in place of Dakshinamurthy and the mandapam ( meta colour sheet mandapam is called as Kagabujandar Dhyana mandapam.

Ambal Akilandeswari is in a separate sannidhi in ardha mandapam facing south. In praharam, Nagar, Chandikeswarar and Navagrahas.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala and ardha mandapam. The Sanctum Sanctorum is on a padabandha adhisthana of Semicircular / Gajabirushta style, with jagathy, threepatta Kumuda and Pattigai.  The Bhitti starts with Vedika. Due to the continuous applying of lime coatings, it is very difficult to make sure that the superstructure above the adhisthana was constructed with brick or stone (in some places brick is visible ). Kumbha panjaras are in between Deva Koshtas. Deva koshtas are of sala style. The prastram is with valapi and kapotha. Vimanam is not found on the Bhoomi desam. Inscriptions are found on the adhistanam.  Ardha mandapam pillars belong to the 15^th to 16^th Century Vijayanagara period.

  

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The temple belongs to the 10^th Century, Chozha period, and is called Sembiyan Mahadevi Eswaram. Sembiyan Mahadevi, the wife of Kandratita Chozha, mother of Sundara Chozha, and grandmother of Rajaraja Chozha-I.

Rajaraja Chozha’s 16^th reign year inscription starts with his Meikeerthi/Title and records that Lord Shiva was called Sembiyan Mahadevi Pothalwar. Hence it is concluded that this temple was constructed in the name of his grandmother Sembiyan Mahadevi and is now called Jambukeswarar. This place was called Korattur alias Parantaka Chaturvedi Mangalam, under Puzhal Kottam, Ambattur Nadu.

Some of the experts are of the opinion that the original temple might have been built during the Pallava period ie the 8^th to 9^th Century considering the Gajabrushta Vimanam style, since Pallavas constructed many such temples in Thondai mandalam. Also, there is no direct or inscriptional evidence that the temple was constructed by Rajaraja Chozha-I.

The Ardha Mandapam was built during the Vijayanagara period 15^th to 16^th Century. The temple might have been reconstructed during the Vijayanagara period.

It is believed that Shiva and Perumal were in a single premises during the Chozha period sharing a common temple tank.

LEGENDS

It is believed that Jambu Maharishi and Kagabujandar worshiped Lord Shiva in this temple. Pointing the bas-relief in place of Dakshinamurthy, it is believed that Kagabujandar stayed here and his Jeeva Samadhi is in this place. However, no evidence is found to prove the above statement.

It is believed that the temple existed during the 8^th to 9^th century, Thirugnanasambandar also visited this temple after Thiruvalithayam ( Korattur obtained the name since Thirugnanasambandar’s Padakoradu was found in this place ).

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from Oru kala pooja special poojas are conducted, on Pradosham and maha Shivaratri days.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open between 07.00 hrs to 11.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

The mobile numbers 91 -94442 44449 and +919080481867 may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH

The temple is about 1.5 KM from Korattur Railway Station, 2.1 KM from Thiruvalithayam Shiva Temple, 7 KM from Koyambedu bus terminus, and 11 KM from Chennai Central Station.

Nearest railway Station is Korattur.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---