The Visit to this Agneeswarar Shiva temple was a part of visit to the Temples and heritage sites around Kanchipuram, scheduled on 10th July 2021. This Shiva temple at Kalakattur is at the base of the bund of a lake called Putteri also called as “Chandramega Thadakam” during Chozha period. Can be reached either through two wheeler or by walk on the lake bund. Paddy fields are surrounded on the three sides of the temple. Rare Herbal plants are grown around the temple by the priest.
Moolavar : Sri Agneeswarar.Some of the salient features of this temple are…The temple is facing east with a Nandi, balipeedam and a Vinayagar Sannidhi. ( the original nandi is kept on the ground on the east side). The east side wall has a jala. Moolavar is of swayambhu and slim baanam. In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Arthanareeswarar, Brahma and Durgai. Chandikeswarar is in the praharam. Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of sanctum sanctorum.
ARCHITECTUREThe temple consists of Sanctum sanctorum ( 4 meter square ), antarala, artha mandapam ( 5.5 meter square )and a mukha mandapam with the south side entrance. There is no super structure. The Adhisthana is of simple Padabandha with three patta kumuda.
The south side entrance mandapa with steps are constructed at a latter date. The unique features and Iconographic details of the Koshta sculptures are…
Dwarapalakas…One of the Dwarapalaka’s mazhu and hand are broken and are not similar. As per historians, both might have brought some where and installed.Vinayagar… Vinayagar is in lalitasana sitting posture with Karanda Maguda. He holds Angusa and akkamala. Vinayagar has a third eye on the forehead.
Dakshinamurthy… Dakshinamurthy holds Akkamala and Jwala / agni in the upper hands and one of the lower hand hold palm leaves and other hand is in chin mudra. Sitting in Veerasana.
Arthanareeswarar…. Arthanareeswarar is in place of Lingothbavar / Maha Vishnu. Looks cute with minute details. 
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONSConsidering the Ardhanareeswara on the west side wall koshtam and iconography of the sculptures, The Pidari Temple and Subramaniar Temple of the same Village Kalakattur, S R Balasubramanian assigned this Agneeswarar temple to the period of Aditya-I ( 870 to 907 CE ) of early Chozhas. The earliest inscription available in this temple belongs to Rajaraja-I ‘s ( 985 -1014 CE ), 3rd reign year inscription.
6 Inscriptions are recorded from this temple. Of these two belongs to Rajaraja-I, Two inscriptions belongs to Rajendran-I. As per the inscriptions this place Kalakattur was called as Jayankonda Chozha mandalathu Kaaliyur kottathu Eri-Kil Nattu ( Thiruvekambathu Salabhokathu ) Kalakattur. Lord Shiva was called as Uruni Alwar.
The Rajaraja-I’s 14th reign year ( 999 CE ) inscription, starts with his meikeerthi, records the real name as Arumozhi Devan and his Title as Mummudi Chozhan. As per the inscription… Rajaraja-I, instructed Vennaiputhurudayan Kadan Mayinthan of the same Village to burn a lamp for Rasavukkellam NanRaka – ராசாவுக்கெல்லாம் நன்றாக ( may be small regional kings ) & Bhumikkellam NanRaka – பூமிக்கெல்லாம் நன்றாக (the people ) ( for the well being of small regional Kings and the people ), at Kaaliyur Kottathu Eri- Kil Nattu Thiruvekambathu Salabhokathu Kalakattur Uruni Alwar. But Vennaiputhurudayan Kadan Mayinthan burn two perpetual lamps ( may be one for the King and other for the people ), for which Bhoomi / land of 1000 kuzhi was gifted to one perpetual lamp and Goats / sheeps for the other perpetual lamp. This inscription is an important one, since, it is an example of how the King considers the well beings of the citizens of his Country.
"ஸ்வஸ்திஸ்ரீ த(ண்)டேவிச் சாலைகலமறு த்துத் (தநிகைப்)பாடி (தன்)தழைக்காடு கொண்டார் நுளம்பபாடியோடுமேயத் தன்கங்கன் வளநாடும் வேங்கைநாடு மது கொண்டான் நித்தவிநோதநேரியநி (பவன்) அருமொழிதேவநேன்றேத்த மலர்த்தார் ஸ்ரீமும்முடிசோழற்கு கோ ராஜராஜராஜகேசரி பன்மற்கு யாண்டு யச ஆவது காலியூர்க்கோட்டத்தேரிகீழ் நாட்டுத் திருவேகம்பப்புறத்துச் சாலா போகக் களக்காட்டூர் ஊருணியாழ்வார்க் கு இவ்வூர் வெண்ணைப்புத்தூருடையா ன் காடன்மயிந்தன் இத்தேவர்க்கு (தின) மூன்றாவது இராசாவுக்கெல்லாம் நன்றாக பூமிக்கெல்லாம் நன்றாக ஒரு விளக்கு வைய் என்றுடையார் அருளுச் செய்ய எம்பெருமான் அருளுச்செய்த தாகில் இரண்டு விளக்கா வைக்கிறேன் என்று வைச்ச நுந்தா விளக்கிரண்டு ஒரு நுந்தா விளக்குக்கு பூமியும் ஒரு நுந்தா விளக்குக்கு ஆடும் ஒரு நுந்தா விளக்குக் கு வைச்ச பூமியாவது ஆயிரங்குழி....."
The Rajaraja-I’s 17th reign year inscription, is a fragmentary refers ( ARE 118 of 1923 ) the previous donors also and records a gift made by Van Kolambattadigal of Kusappur in Puzhal Kottam of Thondai Nadu.
The two inscriptions of Rajendra Chozha belongs to his 3rd reign year. In one ( ARE 120 of 1923 ), Kalakattur is said to be a salabhoga of Thiruvegambapuram in Eri-Kil Nadu. The other ( ARE 122 of 1923 ), records the gift of 5 cows for supplying curds to the god Uruni Alwar of Kalakattur by the Madhyastha of NallaRRur in Sengattu Kottam.
LEGEND:As per the legend, there was an argument between Vayu, Varuna and Agni. During this process Agni disappeared. Due to this people’s daily activities were paralyzed, Munis couldn’t do Yaga and couldn’t prepare naivedyam. To get relieved, Munis and Devas prayed to Lord Shiva. Pleased by the prayers Lord Shiva appeared and called Agni. Agni came with two faces, three legs, 4 horns and 7 hands with Jwala. Agni told that, he was acting like this with Vayu and Varuna to get the darshan of Lord Shiva. Agni worshiped Lord Shiva after creating a A Shiva Linga, on the place where Lord Shiva gave darshan. Hence Lord Shiva is called as Sri Agneeswarar.
It is believed that Suryan worships Lord Shiva of this temple. 3 days from April 2nd Sun rays falls on moolavar.
POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONSApart from oru kal pooja Maha Shivaratri is celebrated in a grand manner.
TEMPLE TIMINGSOru kala pooja is conducted by the priest Mr Rajendran and Devotees are advised to check with the priest before going to the temple.
CONTACT DETAILSMr Rajendram may be contacted on his mobile +91 8825806065, for further details.
HOW TO REACHThe temple is about 1.7 KM from the Village Kalakattur on the base of the tank bund.Kalakattur is 11.9 KM from Kanchipuram, 22.7 KM from Uthiramerur, 41 KM from Chengalpattu and 83 KM from Chennai.Nearest Railway station is Kanchipuram.
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE
Brahma
Dwarapalakas are in different postures
Chandramega thadakam
Herbal garden
---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---
The Rajaraja-I’s 17th reign year inscription, is a fragmentary refers ( ARE 118 of 1923 ) the previous donors also and records a gift made by Van Kolambattadigal of Kusappur in Puzhal Kottam of Thondai Nadu.
Brahma
Dwarapalakas are in different postures
Chandramega thadakam
Herbal garden
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