12th October 2019.
The visit to this temple was a part of Kongu Heritage Walk scheduled on 12th and 13th of October 2019. This temple is in the heart of Coimbatore City, once there was a fort, believed to be built during Tippu Sultan period and now the place bears the name of Kottaimedu, without any trace of Kottai / Fort. There are many stories behind the City’s name Coimbatore. One such story is… The name Covanputhur ( கோவன்புத்தூர் ) was named after a Irula King Covan, who ruled this region Perur Nadu. It was told that this place was once with Sangu flower plants / creepers. These plants were destroyed and the temple was built, hence temple was called as Sangeechuramudayar Temple and latter called as Sangameswawrar temple.
Moolavar : Sri Sangameswarar
Consort : Sri Akilandeswari
Some of the important features of this temple are…
The temple is facing east with an entrance arch and mandapam. Balipedam, Dwajasthambam and Nandhi are in the open Mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala and arthamandapam. In koshtam Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma and Durgai. In the Prakaram 63var, Somaskandar, Ambal, Kannimoola Ganapathy, Neelakandeswarar, Kasi Viswanathar, Visalakshi, Sandikeswarar, Vinayagar with Nagar under Peepal tree, Bhairavar and Navagrahas.
Ambal Sri Akilandeswari is in a separate temple like sannadhi facing east. In koshtam Brahmi, Kaumari, Varahi, Vaishnavi and Maheswari. Arumugar is in a separate temple like sannadhi facing east in between Shiva and Ambal sannadhis. Balipedam, Dwajasthambam and peacock vahana are in front. In addition to this there is a Elephant vahana in front of the sanctum sanctorum. Moolavar Sri Arumugar is not like idol but like a bas relief panel.
ARCHITECTURE
The Temple was reconstructed during recent years with new stones and the fate of the old pillars and structures are not known. The re-constructed temple complex consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala and arthamandapam and a open muka mandapam. The adhisthana is with Upana, Pathabhandha adhisthana. A Two tier nagara vimana is over the sanctum.
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
There are 9 inscriptions, recorded under Covai Mavatta Kalvettukkal and published by the State Archaeological Department in 2006. As per the inscriptions this Place was called as Covanputhur Umaparameswari Chathuurvedhi Mangalam, Veerakeralanallur, Perur Nattu Covanputhur also called as Veerakerala Nallur, and Lord Shiva was called as Veera Chozheeswarar, Covanputhur Sangeechuramudaiyar.
The inscriptions recorded belongs to Kongu Chozhas, Veera Rajendran ( 1227 AD, 1230 AD), Vikrama Chozha-II ( 1265 AD), Vikrama Chozha –III ( 1285 AD) and Veerakeralar Veera Narayanan ( 13th Century ).
A13th century Kongu Chozha inscription speaks about donations of a portion of income from the land, to this temple for naivedyam, Donation of Minted money for Naivedyam and Thirukarthikai festival, donation of two kazhanchu Gold, Chozha Mandalam Karuppur Vellalan donation for Santhya Deepam, Donation of Land after installation of Uma Maheswarar cheppu/ copper idol, Vadapaarisaranattu Kamundan donated an Santhya Deepam / Evening Lamp.
The temple was completely destroyed during 1792AD Mysore War-III and reconstructed after the fourth Mysore War ( 1798- 99AD ). A part of the Old temple inscriptions stones ie Adhisthanam Jagathi and Kumudam are used as a pedestal for 63var and most of the old inscriptions are not available now.
TEMPLE TIMINGS:
The temple will be kept opened between 06.30 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 16.00 hrs to 20.30 hrs.
CONTACT DETAILS:
Sivachariyar Ambi may be contacted on his mobile 8056438377 for further Details.
HOW TO REACH:
Coimbatore City is the head quarters of Coimbatore District and Buses are available from Various parts of the City.
About 1 KM from Coimbatore Railway Station and 3 KM from Gandhipuram City Bus Stand.
Nearest Railway station is Coimbatore Junction.
63var
Entrance to the temple
Old inscription stones are used for 63var pedestal
Old inscription stones are used for the 63var pedestal
---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---
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