26th May
2019.
After
the dharshan of Sri Pesum Perumal, we had been to this Shiva Temple in the
isolated north east Corner of the Village Koozham pandal as otherwise known as
Koolamandal near Kanchipuram. This place was called as called as Vikrama
Chozhapuram under Jayangonda Chozhamandalam, Kazhiyur Kottam Bakoor
Nadu. Rajendra Chozha-I was also called as Vikrama Chozha. The temple was
reconstructed and maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India ( ASI ).
Second
time also visited to this temple on 16th November 2019, a part of
Thirumukkudal Temples Visit along with Mr Gandhi Rajan and Mrs Sakthi Prakash.
Moolavar:
Sri Gangaikonda Choleeswarar also called as
Sri Jagannathaeesvarar.
As
per the inscriptions this temple was built by Chozha King Rajendran-I’s ( 1012
– 1044 AD ) spiritual Guru Eesana Sivapandithar after the Victory
of land up to Ganga by Rajendran-I. Loose sculptures which includes
Dakshinamurthy are installed on a pedestal at the south side entrance.
The
temple is facing east with a Nandhi and cylindrical Pillars ( a mandapa might
have existed earlier ). The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum,
antarala and a Arthamandapam / mahamandapam. Moolavar is little taller. The
makamandapa has entrances from south and east side with dwarapalakas are
a special feature of this temple. The south side entrance has the steps called
Gajahastha Sobana steps. Ambal sannadhi is in the mahamandapa, believed to be
before kulothuga period.
ARCHITECTURE
The
sanctum was built with upanam, Adhistanam ( Padma, Kumudam, Yazhi vari,
Pattikai, bitti, etc,.) Prastharam, Girivam, Sikaram and Stupi. This sanctum
has the Six parts as per silpa sasthra. The Adhisthanam is called as Padmabndha
adhisthanam. The Vimana is of Vesara style. Upanam to Sikaram was completely
built with stone. The haram also has the six parts. In koshtam, Vinayagar,
Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma and Mahishasuramarthini. ASI claimed that
these statues belongs to Rajendra Chozha Period.
In
prastharam is with bhutavari in valabi, Kabotham and Yazhivari. Kabotham has
the karnakudus with various images. The Vimana is of Two tiers. The Girivam
consists of Nandhi and Karnakoodu, which is a special feature of this temple.
As per the experts, the style of construction of this temple was adopted in Gangaikonda
Chozhapuram and it was borrowed from the Chalukya, Sangameswarar temple. In the
Vimana north side Arthanareeswara is in sitting posture is also a special
feature of this temple.
HISTORY
AND INSCRIPTION
The
temple was constructed during Rajendra Chozha –I period by his Rajaguru Eesana
Siva Pandithar ( 1012 to 1020 AD ), who was also Rajaguru for Rajaraja
Chozha-I.
As
per the inscription this place Koozhampandal was called as Vikramachozhapuram,
which was a part of Jayangonda Chozhamandalathu Kazhiyur kottathu
Baakoor /Paakur Nadu.
The
Rajendra Chozha-I, 22nd year rule 1034 AD period inscription records the
gift of a land as Devathanam to this temple at Akkur.
In
addition to Chozha Period inscriptions, Vijayanagara period inscriptions are
also found in this temple. The inscriptions mainly speaks about donation of
land, Goats, Cows, Gold, etc,. The income from the land, interest for the money
was utilized towards daily poojas, celebrations and burning of perpetual
lamps.
HOW
TO REACH:
The
temple is about 500 meters off on Kanchipuram to Vandavasi main road.
The
Village Koolamandal is 18 KM from Kanchipuram, 22 KM from Vandavasi and 100 KM
from Chennai.
All
the route buses from Kanchipuram to Polur via Dhusi, Vandavasi passes through
this Village Koolamandal.
Town
bus route No 35 from Kanchipuram to Manamathi passes through this Village.
The
nearest Railway station is Kanchipuram.
LOCATION: CLICK HERE
---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---
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