The
Visit to this Sri Kasi Viswanathar Temple at Cholapuram was a part of Rajendra
Chozha War Trophy Trail, a Heritage walk organised by the Kumbakonam Vattara
Varalatru Aayvu Sangam - கும்பகோணம் வட்டார வரலாற்று ஆய்வு சங்கம்
on
28th and 29th September 2024.
This
Shri Kashi Viswanath Temple is one of the three Shiva temples built in a
straight line (South to North), in Chozhapuram Village, which may be a little latter
than the other Sri Bairaveshwarar and Sri Kailasanathar Shiva Temples.
Moolavar : Sri Kasi Viswanathar
Consort : Sri Visalakshi
Some
of the salient features of this temple are….
The
Temple faces east with Sanctum Sanctorum. Moolavar is on a round avudayar.
Vinayagars, Chandikeswarar, Dakshinamurthy, Saptamatrikas, Damaged
Dakshinamurthy, and Bairavar (damaged) are as loose sculptures in the open mukha
mandapam. Two Bhutaganas are in front of sanctum sanctorum. There are no images
in the deva koshtams.
Murugan
as a Gajavahanan and Maha Vishnu are in the Vimana Greeva koshtams.
Chandikeswarar
Part of Saptamatrikas or Jyeshta Devi..?
ARCHITECTURE
The
temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, and open ardha mandapam. The sanctum
sanctorum is on a bandha Adhistanam with pada Jagathy, Vrudha kumudam, and
prativari. The Bhitti starts with vedikai. The Pilasters are of Vishnu kantha
kantha pilasters with square bases, kalasam, kudam, mandi, palakai, and taranga
pothyal. The Koshtas are padra koshtas. Kumba panjaras are on the outside
antarala wall.
The
prastaram consists of valapi with bhuta ganas, kapotam with nasi kuds, and
viyyalavari. The vimana over the prastaram is of eka tala vesara Vimanam built
with bricks. Murugan on Elephant vahana is on the front side of the greeva
koshtam.
HISTORY
AND INSCRIPTIONS
The
temple belongs to the 10th to 11th century Chozha period.
Kulothunga Chozha-I’s period inscriptions are found on the adhistanam. The
temple is in damaged condition and reconstruction is in progress.
Rajakesarivarman
Chakravatikal Kulothunga Chozha’s damaged and incomplete inscription on the
west wall of the deserted temple on the north side of the main road, Ends of
lines built in. Commences with the introduction of Pugulsülnda punari etc. Seems
to record the remission, by the Nagarattar of Viranarayanapuram, of taxes on
certain lands purchased by some persons for the temple of
Kulōttungachollavaram-Udaiyar
Ref:
Annual
report on South Indian Epigraphy Year ending 31st March 1932. (ARE
99/ 1932)
LEGENDS
In
a Shiva Temple, in place of Shiva’s image, Murugan on an Elephant called Airavatam
is on the front side of the Greeva koshtam. Murugan is with 4 hands. The upper
hand is holding Vajrayudham and a rooster the lower right hand is in Abhaya Hastam and the left hand is in on the elephant.
As
per the legend, the Elephant Iravatam was, gifted by Indra for Devasena’s marriage.
This iconography Murugan is called Gajavahanan or Gajaroodar, and the elephant is also called Pinimukha. It was
a practice of the Elephant Vahana installed in front of Murugan temples before
installing the peacock Vahana, which indicates the antiquity of the Temple.
Murugan on an Elephant
POOJAS
AND CELEBRATIONS
Oru
kala pooja is conducted in the morning, no special poojas are conducted.
TEMPLE
TIMINGS
Since
oru kala Pooja is conducted, the opening and closing times are unpredictable.
CONTACT
DETAILS
The
Mobile number +91 99946 94067 may be contacted for further details.
HOW
TO REACH
This
Sri Kasi Viswanathar Temple is about 500 meters from the Solapuram main Road
bus stop, on the north side of the Village Cholapuram.
This
place Cholapuram is on Kumbakonam to Chennai Road, 6.5 KM from Thirupanandal,
12.5 KM from Kumbakonam, and 35 KM from Mayiladuthurai.
Nearest
Railway Station is Kumbakonam.
LOCATION
OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE
Bhuta ganas
Temple under (re)construction
Temple under (re)construction
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OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
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