Rudrapathi Temple / Rudrakoteeswarar Temple / Keelakadambur Shiva Temple/ Uthrapthisvarar Temple, Keelakadambur, Cuddalore District, Tamil Nadu.

Visited this Rudrapathi Shiva temple at Keelakadambur along with Melakadambur Sri Amirthakadeswarar Temple, which are close to each other. During my visit in 2012, the temple was under renovation. Shiva Lingam was kept outside the temple. It is said that this is one of the Thevara Vaippu Sthalam.

Moolavar: Sri Rudrapathi/ Sri Rudrakoteeswarar /Uthrapathisvarar

Some of the special features are….

The temple faces east. Rishabam is in front of the temple. Moolavar is on a round avudaiyar. In the koshtam, Lingothbavar and Natarajar. The other koshta images, such as Gangalar, Chandikeswarar, Saptamatrikas, Dakshinamurthy, Suryan, Ardhanareeswarar, etc., are not installed and are kept as loose sculptures.

There are many special features in this temple. The stories of the 63 Nayanmars are depicted in the sculptures in this temple.  

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ARCHITECTURE

The temple was constructed with stone from adhistanam to prastaram. The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam, and maha mandapam. The adhitanam is on a lotus petal platform, Jagathy, silambu kumudam, kapota with nasi kudus, and Vyyalavari. The bhitti starts with vedikai. The pilasters are Vishnu kantha pilasters with square bases, kalasam, kudam, lotus petals mandi, palakai, veerakandam, and vettu/ poomottu pothyal. The prastratam consists of valapi with madhalai/ kodungai, kapotam with nasi kudus, and vyyalavari. The vimana is not there over the bhumi desam.

Some of the 63 Nayanmars’ bas-reliefs are in this temple, and some of them are Karaikal Ammaiyar walking on hands to worship Shiva at Mount Kailash, Kannappa Nayanar, Chandikeswarar, Thadakai, one of the devotees worships Shiva, etc.

Rudrakoteswara Temple Kezha Kadambur

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

It is believed that this temple was constructed during the 11th  to 12th centuries, Chola period, along with Mela Kadambur Sri Amirthakadeswarar Temple, which is about a km from this temple. As per the Tamil Nadu Archaeological Department display board, the temple sculptures are earlier than the Darasuram temple constructed by Rajaraja II.

பொயு 12 – 13 ஆம் நூற்றாண்டு, சோழர்கள் காலத்தைச் சார்ந்த ருத்ராபதீஸ்வரர்கோயில் வடக்கு, தெற்கு, கிழக்கு, மேற்கு ஆகிய திசைகளில் மாடச்சிற்பங்களின் கீழ் பொறிக்கப்பட்டக் கல்வெட்டுகளாகும்.

இறைவன் பெயர்களும் சில நாயன்மார் பெயர்களும் குறிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளன. இக்கல்வெட்டுகள் அர்த்தமண்டபம், மகாமண்டபச் சுவர்களில் உள்ள தேவகோட்டம் மற்றும் பீடங்களின் கீழ் பொறிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளன.

Reference

தமிழ்நாட்டுக் கல்வெட்டுகள் தொகுதி – V

(கடலூர் மாவட்டக் கல்வெட்டுகள் தொகுதி – 1)

HOW TO REACH

The place Keela Kadambur is on the bus route from Chidambaram to Kattumannarkoil via Eyyalur

On the bus route from Kattumannarkoil to Eyyalur, you can reach Keezha Kadambur. 

The temple is 7.4 km from Kattumannarkoil, 34 km from Chidambaram, 41 km from Kumbakonam, 37 km from Sirkazhi, and 248 km from Chennai.

The nearest Railway Station is Chidambaram.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Rudrakoteswara Temple - Kezha Kadambur

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---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

 

Sri Vanavakoteeswarar Temple/ ஸ்ரீ பானுகோடீஸ்வரர் கோயில், Valayamadevi, Cuddalore District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Vanavakoteeswarar Temple at Valayamdevi, near Sethiathoppu, was part of the “Shiva and Vishnu Temples visit” in Cuddalore District on 13^th June 2026.

Moolavar  : Sri Vanavakoteeswarar

Consort    : Sri Balambigai

Some of the salient features of this temple are…

The temple faces east with entrances on the south and east. A single-tier Rajagopuram is on the south side. Rishabam and balipeedam are on the east side of the temple. Vinayagar, Nalvar, Bairavar, Suryan, and Chandran are in the mandapam. Moolavar is big on a round avudaiyar. In the koshtam, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma, and Durgai. Utsavars are in the ardha mandapam.

In the praharam, Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Ambal, Chandikeswarar, and Navagrahas.

Ambal is in a separate temple that faces east, on the left side of the main temple. Ambal is in a standing posture with Abhaya Varada hastam. Gajalakshmi is in the Ambal temple’s ardha mandapam.

 Bairavar

Suryan

 Dakshinamurthy 

Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar

Subramaniar

Chandran

Nalvar

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, and ardha mandapam. The temple was constructed with stone from adhistanam to prastaram. The temple was reconstructed without following any temple architecture. The prastaram consists of valapi and kapotam with nasi kudus. An eka tala vesara vimanam is on the bhumi desam. Maha nasis are on the 4 cardinal directions. The greeva koshtas are empty. 

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

It is said that the original temple is more than 1000 years old. The Bairavar and Suryan may belong to the 12^th to 13^th centuries Chozha period.

It is said that the original name of Moolavar Sri Banukoteeswarar was changed to Vanavakoteeswarar due to an error made in the Government records.

Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 14^th July 2025 after thirupani. 50 % of the thirupani was contributed by Tharumai Adheenam, which includes the construction of the south-side one-tier Rajagopuram, installation of Pancha Murthy images, Maha mandapam, stucco images of Ardhanareeswarar and Rishabam on the main sanctum sanctorum, Ambal Temple, installation of a pillar at the east-side entrance, and Panchavarna paintings. Tharumai Adheenam’s stucco image is on the top of the south-side entrance to the ardha /maha mandapam.

Tharumai Adheenam's participation in the 2025 kumbhabhishekam

Tharumai Adheenam's stucco image on the top of the mandapam

LEGENDS

As per the legend, Surya worshipped Shiva at this temple. It is said that from April 1^st to 10^th, sunlight used to fall on Moolavar and Ambal.

Since the Ambal temple is on the left side of the Moolavar Temple, worshipping Shiva and Ambal will get rid of marriage obstacles, will get the child boon, etc. It is advised that the newly married couple worship Shiva and Ambal for a happy married life.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on pradosham, Maha Shivaratri, Vinayagar Chaturthi, Kirithigai, Ashtami Deipirai, Kiruthigai, etc.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be open from 07.00 hrs to 11.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 19.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

Ravi Gurukkal may be contacted on his mobile number +919976560922 for poojas and further details.

HOW TO REACH

This place, Valayamadevi, is on the Sethiyathoppu - Virudhachalam Main Road, about 5 km from Sethiyathoppu, 21 km from Virudhachalam and Vadalur, 26 km from Chidambaram, 50 km from Cuddalore, and 69 km from Kumbakonam.

The nearest Railway Junction is Virudhachalam.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Sri Vedanarayana Perumal Temple/ ஸ்ரீ வேதநாராயண பெருமாள் கோயில், Valayamadevi, Cuddalore District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Vedanarayana Perumal Temple at Valayamadevi, near Sethiathoppu, was part of the “Shiva and Vishnu Temples visit” in Cuddalore District on 13^th June 2026.

Moolavar  : Sri Vedanarayana Perumal

Thayar     : Sri Kamalavalli

Some of the salient features of this temple are…

The temple faces east with a 3-tier Rajagopuram. A Garuda Thoon is on the east side of the temple. Balipeedam, dwajasthambam, and Garudan are immediately after the Rajagopuram. The Dwarapalakas Jayan and Vijayan, sculpted on a flat stone, are on either side of the ardha mandapam entrance. Moolavar is about 6 feet tall in a sitting posture with Sridevi and Bhudevi. Utsavars are in front of Moolavar. Alwars are in the ardha mandapam. 

Anjaneyar and Andal are in the maha mandapam. Andal is in a standing posture and faces south.

In the praharam are Kamavalli Thayar, Utsava mandapam, and madapalli. Thayar is in a separate temple that faces east on the south side of Moolavar. Thayar Kamalavalli is in a sitting posture with Abhaya Varada hastam.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple was constructed with bricks and cement concrete. The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam, and a maha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on an upanam and adhistanam with Jagathy, Kumudam, and Pattikai. The pillars are Brahma kantha pilasters with vettu pothyal. The prastaram consists of valapi and kapotam with nasi kudus. The vimanam over the bhumi desam consists of one tala, greevam, and a vesara sigaram. Maha nasis and alpa nasis are on the vesara sigaram. Maha Vishnu’s various forms with his consorts are in the tala and greeva koshtams.

The maha mandapam was built in the Vavval Nethi style, followed in the Thanjavur region.

Thayar Kamalavalli is in a separate temple that faces east with sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam, and a maha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on an upanam and adhistanam. The vimanam consists of one tala, greevam, and vesara sigaram. Thayar's various forms are on the tala and greeva koshtams. 

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The original temple belongs to the 12^th to 13^th centuries, and Chozha period inscriptions are found on the door jambs. The inscription records the gift of land to this temple. The peripheral limits are mentioned in the inscription. 

Maha Samprokshanam was conducted on 20^th August 1882 with the Hereditary Trustee Thurinchikollai Valathariya Muruga Pillai’s own funds, then on 17th November 1955 by Picha Pillai’s son, T P Sundara Lingam, and again on 13^th July 2025. Tharumai Adheenam also contributed to the renovation of the temple (3-tier Rajagopuram repair works).

LEGENDS

As per the legend, Maha Lakshmi was born to Maharishi in this village as Kamalavalli. As promised, Sri Mushnam Sri Bhuvaraha Swamy came to this place and married Mahalakshmi and stayed here as Vedanarayana Perumal. Since Maha Vishnu taught 4 vedas to Maha Lakshmi, Maha Vishnu is called Vedanarayana Perumal.

For marriage, Maha Vishnu brought Bangles (Valayal) to Maha Lakshmi. Hence, this place was called Valayal + Maha + Devi = Valayalmahadevi; later the same was corrupted to Valayamadevi.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on the annual Brahmotsavam, Vaikunta Ekadasi, and all important Vaishnava festivals.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be open from 07.00 hrs to 11.30 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 19.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

Ramanuja Battar may be contacted on his mobile number +919600676777 for poojas and further details.

HOW TO REACH

This place, Valayamadevi, is on the Sethiyathoppu - Virudhachalam Main Road, about 5 km from Sethiyathoppu, 21 km from Virudhachalam and Vadalur, 26 km from Chidambaram, 50 km from Cuddalore, and 69 km from Kumbakonam.

The nearest Railway Junction is Virudhachalam.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Thayar Temple 

Thayar Temple 

Utsava mandapam

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---