Vidya Vineetha Pallava Paramesvara Griham / Kooram Siva Temple / Vidya Vineetha Pallava Parameswarar Temple / A 7th Century Pallava period Shiva temple, Kooram, Kanchipuram District, Tamil Nadu.

The Visit to this Shiva temple was a part of visit to the Temples and heritage sites around Kanchipuram, scheduled on 10^th July 2021. This Shiva temple is situated in the north east direction of the Village Kooram. 

Moolavar : Sri Vidya Vineetha Parameswara

Some of the salient features of this temple are…

The temple is facing west with an entrance from the south side. There is no Dwajasthambam or balipeedam. Nandi is in front of Moolavar. A  Brahma Sastha idol is kept  in the artha mandapam, which was unearthed from the Village.  There are two Lingas inside the sanctum sanctorum, the rear one is with Yoni peedam and the front one is only bana linga. Vinayagar and Murugan are in the artha mandapam.

ARCHITECTURE

The Sanctum sanctorum of the original temple is built in granite stone slabs used as veneer stones on either side with brick core in the middle, in the Gajabirushta style. The inner part of which above the adhisthana mouldings has been missing and rebuilt with brick and mortar above which is a flat roof without Vimanam.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

This temple is believed to the earliest and first built temple by  Pallava’s  in apsidal / Gajabirushta architectural style. As per the copper plate unearthed from the premises of this temple, the temple was constructed by the Pallava King Parameswara Varman-I during his reign in 7^th century CE. As per the inscription the temple was called as “Vidhya Vineetha Parameswara Pallava Griha”.

The Copper plate written in Sanskrit  grantha and Tamil language which gives the genealogy of the Pallava Dynasty which starts from Mahavishnu to Parameswara. It also mentions the grant of devadhana brahmadeya to the Shiva Temple. The Village was donated to this temple for the purpose of performing abhishekam / sacred bath. It also records that the Village had possessed one hundred and eight families well versed in four Vedas.

The Tamil part of the inscription gives the information of the land given to erect the Temple and dig pond, then to construct houses, house garden  for the worshipper  and for the offerings to the deity. The Paramechura mangalam Village situated in Manavir Kottam of Panama Nadu was granted on the condition that it should be divided in to 25 shares out of which 20 should be shared among Chaturvedins.

The Kachiyum Thanjaiyum konda Sri Kannara Deva ( Krishnan-III -954 CE ), the Rashtrakuda King’s  15^th reign year inscription records the endowment of naivedyam to Perunthirukoil by Asiriyan AthiyaNan of Kooram. 

The inscription on a pillar records that the pillar was gifted by Thattan Thothavaththi. On another Pillar, gifted by Pallava maarajan …. Mamallan ( damaged )

In another inscription King’s name is not legible, 21^st reign year inscription records the some endowment for the same Gold was gifted. Another damaged inscription also records the gift of Land to this temple and the purpose is not known. .

Ko Rajakesari Barmar’s ( Aditya-I, 898 CE ), 27^th reign year inscription records the endowment of burning a day and night lamp / perpetual lamp with Ulakku oil by the same village Thattan ( Gold smith ) Sri Koovai mangala Perunthattan for which gold was gifted.

Now the temple is under the control of Tamil Nadu state Archaeological Department.

LEGENDS

As per the legend this Village was called as “Pancha Linga Puram”, which means that 4 Shiva temple are constructed on the 4 direction of this temple. Mr Meganathan took us to the two Shiva Lingas Unearthed from the fields during recent years.  In that one is on a Padma peedam and baanam is made of sand stone. The other one is made of granite on an avudayar. He further told that the 3^rd one is in the form of an ant hill and the 4^th one still to appear.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS.

Apart from oru kala Pooja, special poojas are conducted on Pradosham and Maha Shivaratri.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

Since Oru kala pooja is conducted and the Sivachariyar is coming from Kanchipuram the opening and closing time are unpredictable.

CONTACT DETAILS

Mr Meganathan may be contacted on his mobile number +91 8668039716, to show the temple and newly unearthed Shiva Lingas.

HOW TO REACH

The place Kooram is 6.5 KM from White gate of Kanchipuram, 11 KM from Kanchipuram, 25 KM from Arakkonam,  37 KM from Sriperumbudur and 77 KM from Chennai.

Nearest Railway station is Kanchipuram.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---