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.
Iraivan: 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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