This Shiva Temple at Sivan Koodal, close to Pillai Chatram on Chennai Kanchipuram ( Chennai to Mumbai highway ). Transport ( Auto ) facility is available from Pillai Chatram and Sunguvarchatram. This Shiva Temple is under the control of Tamil Nadu archaeological Department, as a protected monument. As per the name board this temple belongs to Rajendra Chozha-I, but there is no Rajendran-I’s period inscription recorded from this temple instead Virarajendra Chozha’s inscription is the earliest.
Moolavar : Sri Sivakozhundeeswarar
Consort : Sri Maragathavalli
Some of the salient features of this temple are….
The temple is facing east with an entrance from south Side. Rishabam and balipeedam are in the ardha mandapam. Moolavar in the sanctum is on a Square avudayar. Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of sanctum sanctorum. In Koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, Brahma and Durgai.
Vinayagar and Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniyar are in ardha mandapam. A Shiva Lingam, Chandikeswarar, loose sculptures, Suriyan, Chandran, Dakshinamurthy, Durgai or Ambal, Brahma in damaged condition are in the praharam.
ARCHITECTURE
The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala and ardha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a pada bandha adhisthanam ( Sroni bandham style – ஸ்ரோனி பந்தம்) with three patta kumudam. The Bhitti starts with Vedhikai. Brahma kantha pilasters in karnapathi, Vishnu kantha pilasters in salaipathai. The Pilasters are with malai thongal, kalasam, kudam/ amalaka, Lotus petals mandi, Palagai and Vettu pothyal. The padra Thoranas are with various bas reliefs like, Gajalakshmi, Kubera and a King who worships Kubera, Elephant, Kalinga Nardhanar. The prastaram consists of valapi, kapotam and Vyyalavari. In kapotam lotus medallion, Chandra mandalam and Kodipalai. Bhuta ganas are in the valapi. There is no Vimanam above the sanctum sanctorum.
The ardha mandapam is supported with Vrutha pillars with vettu pothyals. Ambal temple is empty now, built with Sand stone. Both Moolavar and Ambal temples are without Vimanam.
Ambal shrine constructed with sand stone now empty
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
It is believed that this temple was built during Chozha period. There are 18 inscriptions recorded from this temple. Out of 18, a maximum number of inscriptions belongs to Kulothunga Chozha-I and the rest belongs to, Vikrama Chozha, Virarajendran, Telugu Chozha, Vijayanagara King, and recent years inscriptions etc. The earliest inscription belongs to the Chozha King Virarajendran. As per the inscriptions, this place was called as Sivakudal, in Jayangonda Chozha mandalathu URRukattu Kottathu Nirvelur Nattu Sivakudal, Sivan Koodal, etc. Shiva was called as Sivakudal Aludayar, Kozhundandavar, Sivakozhunthudayar, Sivakozhunthandar, Sivakozhunthu Nayanar Thambiranar etc,. Ambal was called as Thirukamakottamudaya Maragathavalli Nachiyar.
Measurement scale for measuring the lands is mentioned in the inscription as “16 saN kol – பதினாறுசாண் கோல்”. Most of the inscriptions records the gift of lands to this temple.
The Chozha king Virarajendra’s 4th reign year ( 1067 CE ) inscription records the gift of land to the temple of Sivakkolunthudaiyar by the Sabha of Siva koodal after purchasing it from the temple.
Chozha King Vikrama Chola’s 12th reign year much damaged inscription records the sale of land to the temple for the celebration in the asterism of Uttirattadhi in the month of Ani by the Bhattars of Brahmadeyam
Kulothunga Chozha-I’s much damaged and mutilated inscription begins with meikeerthi / title records the sale of land as tax free to the temple of Sivakudal in the name of Adichandesvara deva by the assembly of that village, situated in the URRukkattukottam in Jayangondachola mandalam. The assembly also accepted to burn this lamp in the temple.
An inscription without King’s name, Saka 1420, 1498 CE inscription records the gift of hundred kuli of land to Goddess Durga Mahadevi of Devakoshta in the temple of Sivakudal by Nalappillai an accountant of the village.
Kulottunga Chola-I’s 1075 CE, much damaged and mutilated. Inscription records the sale of three hundred kuli of land as Peruvilai (big-sale), to the temple of Sivakudal with exemption of tax by the assembly of that village.
Kulottunga Chola-I’s 1075 CE another inscription, inscribed below the above inscription records the gift of land for the food offerings / naivedyam to the deity of the temple.
A much damaged Chozha period 12th Century CE inscription records the sale of land to the temple to celebrate the festival on the day of uttirattadhi in the month of Ani, which was a birth star of the King by the assembly and the Vellalar of the village. The same festival is referred in the, inscription 1. As the record belonged to the King Vikramachola, this also must have made by him.
Kulothunga Chola-I’s 7th reign year ( 1077 CE ) inscription records the gift of land to recite the sacred hymns of the Devaram ( Thirupathigam ) Trio in the temple of Sivakkolunthandar at Sivakudal of Nirvelur Nadu, a sub-division of URRukkattukkottam.
Vikramachola’s 10th reign year (1128 CE ) inscription records the gift of 400 kuli of land as tax free to burn two perpetual lamps in the temple of Sivakkolunthandar by the assembly and Vellalas of the village after purchasing it from the temple.
Kulothunga Chola- I’s, 11th century CE, inscriptions records the gift of 500 kuli of land to burn a perpetual lamp to the deity
Mahadeva in the temple of Sivakkolunthandar in Siva kudal by an individual of vilathur after purchasing it from the assembly of Milalai mangalam .
Kulothunga Chola-I’s 5th reign year ( 1075 CE ) inscription stones are replaced and its continuation is lost. It records the gift of land for food offerings to the deity NuRRenmappillaiyar in the temple of Sivakkolunthandar.
Kulottunga Chola –I’s 28th reign year ( 1098 CE ) inscription stones are misplaced during renovations and the continuity is lost. The inscription records the gift of land to the temple for the food offerings and abhishekam / sacred bath during the celebration of Thiruvadirai in the month of Markali, burning a perpetual lamp and flower garden to the deity of the Sivakkolunthandar temple at Sivan Koodal by certain Panchanadhivanan Cholendra Muventhavelan of Manimangalam after purchasing it from the assembly of Sivakudal.
Kulothunga Chozha-I’s 25th reign year (1195 CE ) inscription records the sale of land to the temple for the food offerings / naivedyam to the deity of Sivan koodal by the village sabha of this village ( Stones are misplaced in different location )
Telugu Chozha King Vijayakandagopalan’s 25th reign year (1275 CE ) inscription records the gift of 2400 kuli of land to the goddess Maragathavalli Nachchiyar of Tirukkamakkottam in the temple of Sivakkolunthudaiya Nayanar at Sivakudal of Nirvelur Nadu, in Uttukkattukkottam a sub-division of Jayankonda- Cholamandalam by Talaikkudaiyan alias Puliyuran who belongs to the Chola Nadu.
An inscription without Kings’ Name and year, with modern characters, records the services done by the individuals to this temple.
The Vijayanagara King Achchuta Devaraya’s ( Saka 1455, 1533 CE ), inscription, records the gift of Opulasanallur, a hamlet of Sivakudal to the food offerings, worships and burning of lamps to the temple by the Vijayanagara King Achchuta devaraya while he stayed on the bank of the river Tungabadra at Virupakshi.
A 17th century CE Characters inscription records that the floor was paved by Nayinan son of Sivakozhunthan.
A 10th century CE characters, fragment inscription, records the sale of 135 kuli of land to the temple which was irrigated by a channel in the way of a sluice called “Kamala narayasnat- thoombu”. The inscription refers the Taxes like Oorkkazhanju, Kumarakachanam, Echchoru, KooRRunel, Kudimai etc,.
Two 13th century CE Characters, fragment inscriptions record of the same King, of which one refers to 46th year is also inscribed but stops abruptly.
POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Oru kala pooja is conducted and no other special poojas are conducted.
TEMPLE TIMINGS
The temple opening and closing time are unpredictable.
CONTACT DETAILS
Mr Chinrasu’s mobile number +919791921924 may be contacted for further details.
HOW TO REACH
The Place Sivan koodal is about 5.8 KM from Pillai Chatram, 12.8 KM from Sunguvarchatram, 21.4 KM from Sriperumbudur, 23.8 KM from Kanchipuram and 55.3 KM from Koyambedu Bus Stand.
Nearest Railway station is Kanchipuram and Junction is Arakkonam, 33 KMs.
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE
Chitra Thorana sculpture Kubera and a King who worships Kubera 
Chitra Thorana sculpture - Elephant above Durga
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
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