The
visit to this Sri Kailasnathar Temple at Kovalam on ECR Road, was a Part of not
popular temple’s of Chennai South Visit on 27th November 2022. The
place Kovalam is off from ECR Road and the temple is in middle of the Village.
Moolavar : Sri Kailasanathar
Consort : Sri Kanakavalli
Some
of the salient features of this temple are…..
The
temple is facing east with an entrance from the south. Balipeedam,
Dwajasthambam / Kodimaram and Rishabam are on the east side of the temple.
Moolavar is on a square avudayar. In kostam Nardhana Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy,
Maha Vishnu, Brahma and Durgai. Ambal is
in a separate sannidhi facing south in the ardha mandapam. Ambal is in standing
posture with abhaya varada hastam. Utsavars are in antarala.
In
praharan Vinayagar, Yoga Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniyar, 16 pillar
mandapam, Ayyappan, Nagars, Chandikeswarar, Suryan, Venkatesa Perumal, Bhudevi,
Anjaneyar, Markandeswarar with Rishabam, Nagarajar and Kala Bairavar.
ARCHITECTURE
The
temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam and mukha
mandapam. The mukha mandapam is on the South side opposite to Ambal sannidhi.
The sanctum sanctorum is on a pada
bandha adhistanam with three patta kunudam. The 3 tala vimanam is on the
adhistanam. The adhi tala is constructed with stone from adhistanam to
prastaram. The Bhitti starts with vedhika. Simple brahma kantha pilasters with vettu pothyal is shown on the wall. The
prastaram consists of valapi, kapotam and Viyyalavari. There is no images in
the kapotam Nasikudus, Valapi and Kosta thoranas, except Maha Vishnu’s kostam.
A squatting lion is shown above Maha Vishnu kostam. The Vimanam above the
vyyalavari is built with brick. The Sigaram is of vesara style. Stucco images
of Shiva, Dakshinamurthy, Brahma are on the Vimanam tala Kostas.
The
Mukha mandapa and the 16 pillar mandapa pillars has the various bas-relief images like, kannappar
purana, Vishnu’s Macha avatara, Anjaneyar, Kinnarars, Naga bandham, lotus
flower motifs, Tortoise, Vijayanagara’s / Nayaka’s iconic
bas-relief of clown, Squatting lion, etc,.
Instead
of Images of Vinayagar and Murugan at the entrance of Sanctum sanctorum, their bas-reliefs are on the
pillars.
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
It
is believed that the original temple belongs to Pallava period ie 7th
to 8th Century CE. Latter the same was reconstructed during
Vijayanagara period and Ambal sannidhi might have been added 17th to
18th Century. After that in 19th and 20th
Century the temple was once again reconstructed. The Original temple might have a sannidhi for
Maha Vishnu, Kali, Bairavar, Navagrahas, but now they are in a mandapam.
There
is a 13th Century inscription on the avudayar of the Shiva Lingam.
The inscription reads as… 'Sri Satheruman
Murthiper'. 'Sat' means trade guild.
Which means the temple was originally built by the Traders / Merchants. As per
the experts this place was once a sea port and it might be very busy with
handling of export and import materials.
The 17th to 18th Century
inscription on the three patta kumudam in the mukha mandapam records this place
as Kovalam. The inscription might have record some endowment to the temple and
donations made.
As per the inscription tablet on the south side compound
wall Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 09th February 2015.
LEGENDS
As
per the legend, during Pallava King’s rule, the temple was not visible outside.
Shiva came in the dream of the Pallava King, identified himself, where he is
and advised him to construct a temple. Next day with the his officials came and
unearthed Shiva Linga and other idols. The King constructed a Temple and
installed the Shiva Lingam.
It
is believed that this a parihara sthalam for Marriage. It was told that Girls
used to tie Mangalsutra to Ambal and Boys will tie Mangal Sutra to Rishabam, as
a prayer to get married.
Devotees
worships Kubera Ganapati ( North facing – left side immediately after the south
side entrance ) and Swarna Bairavar for Material Prosperity, wealth and Vijaya
Ganapati for getting success in academic, business endeavors, Professional
etc,.
POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart
from oru kala regular poojas, Special poojas are conducted on Pradosam, Maha
Shivaratri, Karthigai Deepam, Pournami, Sankatahara Chathurti, 108
Sangabhishekam in the month December, Deipirai ashtami, Hanuman Jayanthi,
etc,.
TEMPLE TIMINGS
The
temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs to 11.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to
20.00 hrs.
CONTACT DETAILS
The
Land Line number +91- 44- 2747 2235 and mobile number +91 98403 64782, may be
contacted for further details.
HOW TO REACH
The
temple is on the Padavettamman Koil Street, about 350 meters from Kovalam bus
Terminus ( Route Nos 19GCT, 566B, and
588 ) ie the Junction of Padavettamman Koil Street and Dargah Road.
The
temple is 13 KM from Thiruporur Murugan Temple, 20 KM from Mahabalipuram, 24 KM
from Thiruvanmiyur Bus Depot and 37 KM from Chennai Central.
Nearest
Railway station is Thiruvanmiyur MRTS Railway Station.
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE
Ambal Sannidhi
Nagars
Maha Vishnu with Bhumadevi
Markandeswarar
Kali
The 16 Pillar mandapam and the donors
Kannappa Nayanar
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
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