This visit to the Shri Kalatheeswarar
Temple at Kottaimedu, Uthamapalayam, in Theni
District was a part of Varusanadu Payanam, a Heritage walk to the temples and
Heritage Sites, organised by Aatrupadai, on 20th – 21st September 2025.
Thanks to திருச்சி பார்த்தி, Prabaharan, and Bala Bharathi.
Moolavar : Sri
Kalatheeswarar
Consort :
Sri Gnanamman
Some of the salient features of this temple are…
The temple faces east with an entrance arch. Stucco
images of Shiva & Parvati, Vinayagar, and Murugan are on the arch. A 3-tier
Rajagopuram is after the entrance arch. Bala Vinayagar, Bala Murugan sannidhis,
and Rani Mangamal’s inscription are on both sides of the entrance to the
Rajagopuram. Adhikara Nandhi and his consort are on the left side of the
passage of Rajagopuram. Dwajasthambam, balipeedam, and Rishabam are under a
mandapam after the Rajagopuram. 12 Rasis and 28 Nakshatras, which include the
Abajith as the 28th Nakshatra panel, are on the ceiling of the mukha
mandapam. Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of the sanctum sanctorum, in koshtam
Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar (with usual features, Maha Vishnu and
Brahma are on both sides), Brahma, and Durgai.
12 Rasis and 28 Nakshatras, which include the Abajith as the 28th Nakshatra panel
In praharam 63 var, Saptamatrikas, Kasi
Viswanathar, Visalakshi. Meenakshi Amman and Chokkanathar, Sahasra Lingam,
Parasakthi, Jwaradevar, Nagar, Saraswati, Sarabeswarar, Maha Lakshmi, Kuberar
with Chitrekai, Ketu with Chitraleka Devi, Rahu Simshikaidevi, Bairavar, Saniswarar,
Navagrahas, Suryan, Chandran, and Chandikeswarar.
Ambal is in a separate temple with salakara
vimanam. Ambal is in a standing posture with abhaya varada hastam. Ambal temple
has with sanctum sanctorum, antarala, and ardha mandapam. Ambal’s various forms
are around the koshtam and Chandikeswari.
Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar is also in a
separate sannidhi, in between Shiva and Ambal sannidhi as the Somaskandar form.
Nava Veerars, Veerabahu, and Veera Mahendra are at the entrance of the sanctum
sanctorum.
63 var on the back and Saptamatrikas at the front
Chandran with his consorts
Adhikara Nandhi and his consort
Chandikeswarar.
ARCHITECTURE
The temple consists of the sanctum sanctorum, antarala, and ardha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a upanam and pada bandha adhistanam
with jagathy, threepatta kumudam, and pattikai. The bhitti starts with vedikai.
The pilasters are of Brahmakantha pilasters with kalasam, kudam, lotus petals, mandi, palakai, veera kandam, and vettu pothyal. The prastaram consists of
valapi, kapotam with nasikudu, and vyyalavari. One tala brick vimanam with
greevam and nagara sigaram is on the bhumi desam. Stucco images of Shiva, Dakshinamurthy,
Maha Vishnu, and Brahma are in the greeva and tala koshtams.
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
The temple belongs to the Sundara Pandyan period. Later, the temple received contributions from Vijayanagara & Madurai Nayakas, and
Rani Mangammal.
Later period Pandyas' incomplete inscription on the
ardha mandapam south side adhistanam kumudam records, a part of the money, equals a thiramam (Thiramam is a name of the Gold exchange used in business
with the Tamils by the Yavanas) received as tax from the temple lands, handed
over to Thennavan, alias Anjopathy, an official of the King.
A partially visible inscription on a pillar records
the tax income from the Iraivari, Vettimudaiyal vari, the tax paid on engaging
a labourer for any work, by Thandarayan. To whom the taxes are given is not
known.
The inscription on the Ambal sannidhi ardha mandapa
north side pillar records the gift of Rs 400 for erecting a pillar to the victory
of a King.
An incomplete 10-line inscription on the Ambal
sannidhi ardha mandapa north side pillar records the gift of an Ox herd to this
temple. For what purpose the ox herd was gifted is not known.
An incomplete inscription on the Ambal sannidhi
ardha mandapa north side pillar records only the ombadaikilavi type of inscription.
The curse is that whoever stops or obstructs this endowment will get the sin
equivalent to killing father, mother, and Karam Pasu/ Cow, on the banks of the Ganga River.
The 49-line inscription tablet installed on the
left side of the Rajagopuram belongs to Rani Mangammal. This 1693 CE
inscription records the gift of land to this temple by the Ramanayaka’s
representatives, Thiruvenkatanatharaiyan with Vadamalaippillai,
Ekanayagampillai, Venkatapathi Nayakar, Ramapathra Nayakar, given in the presence of
the Maha Citizens of Thondai Mandalam Vellalar Gogula Vellalar, and Palani
Nayagam.
Ref:
Theni Mavatta Kalvettukkal by Dr Si. Manickaraj,
published by Pandyanadu Panpattu Maiyam.
South Indian inscriptions Volume XLI.
Annual report on South Indian Epigraphy Year
1905.
Rani Mangammal inscriptions
A Nayaka King / Chieftain, who contributed to this temple
LEGENDS
This is a Rahu, Ketu, and kala Sarba dosha parikara
sthalam.
POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted
on pradosham, Amavasya, Pournami, Maha Shivaratri, Rahu, Ketu peyarchi days,
Rahu and Ketu dosha Pariharam, etc.
TEMPLE TIMINGS
The temple will be kept open from 07.00 hrs to
11.00 hrs and from 17.00 hrs to 20.30 hrs.
CONTACT DETAILS
HOW TO REACH
The Kalatheeswarar Temple at Uthamapalayam is
about 10 km from Cumbum, 30 km from Theni, and 106 km from Madurai.
The nearest Railway Station is Theni.
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
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