The visit to this Sri Kailasnathar Temple at Kovalam on ECR Road, was a Part of not popular temple’s of Chennai South Visit on 27th November 2022. The place Kovalam is off from ECR Road and the temple is in middle of the Village..
Moolavar : Sri Kailasanathar
Consort : Sri Kanakavalli
Some of the salient features of this temple are….
The temple is facing east with an entrance from the south. Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam / Kodimaram and Rishabam are on the east side of the temple. Moolavar is on a square avudayar. In kostam Nardhana Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, Brahma and Durgai. Ambal is in a separate sannidhi facing south in the ardha mandapam. Ambal is in standing posture with abhaya varada hastam. Utsavars are in antarala.
In praharan Vinayagar, Yoga Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniyar, 16 pillar mandapam, Ayyappan, Nagars, Chandikeswarar, Suryan, Venkatesa Perumal, Bhudevi, Anjaneyar, Markandeswarar with Rishabam, Nagarajar and Kala Bairavar.
ARCHITECTURE
The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam and mukha mandapam. The mukha mandapam is on the South side opposite to Ambal sannidhi. The sanctum sanctorum is on a pada bandha adhistanam with three patta kunudam. The 3 tala vimanam is on the adhistanam. The adhi tala is constructed with stone from adhistanam to prastaram. The Bhitti starts with vedhika. Simple brahma kantha pilasters with vettu pothyal is shown on the wall. The prastaram consists of valapi, kapotam and Viyyalavari. There is no images in the kapotam Nasikudus, Valapi and Kosta thoranas, except Maha Vishnu’s kostam. A squatting lion is shown above Maha Vishnu kostam. The Vimanam above the vyyalavari is built with brick. The Sigaram is of vesara style. Stucco images of Shiva, Dakshinamurthy, Brahma are on the Vimanam tala Kostas.
The Mukha mandapa and the 16 pillar mandapa pillars has the various bas-relief images like, kannappar purana, Vishnu’s Macha avatara, Anjaneyar, Kinnarars, Naga bandham, lotus flower motifs, Tortoise, Vijayanagara’s / Nayaka’s iconic bas relief of clown, Squatting lion, etc,.
Instead of Images of Vinayagar and Murugan at the entrance of Sanctum sanctorum, their bas reliefs are on the pillars.
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
It is believed that the original temple belongs to Pallava period ie 7th to 8th Century CE. Latter the same was reconstructed during Vijayanagara period and Ambal sannidhi might have been added 17th to 18th Century. After that in 19th and 20th Century the temple was once again reconstructed. The Original temple might have a sannidhi for Maha Vishnu, Kali, Bairavar, Navagrahas, but now they are in a mandapam.
There is a 13th Century inscription on the avudayar of the Shiva Lingam. The inscription reads as… 'Sri Satheruman Murthiper'. 'Sat' means trade guild. Which means the temple was originally built by the Traders / Merchants. As per the experts this place was once a sea port and it might be very busy with handling of export and import materials.
The 17th to 18th Century inscription on the three patta kumudam in the mukha mandapam records this place as Kovalam. The inscription might have record some endowment to the temple and donations made.
As per the inscription tablet on the south side compound wall Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 09th February 2015.
LEGENDS
As per the legend, during Pallava King’s rule, the temple was not visible outside. Shiva came in the dream of the Pallava King, identified himself, where he is and advised him to construct a temple. Next day with the his officials came and unearthed Shiva Linga and other idols. The King constructed a Temple and installed the Shiva Lingam.
It is believed that this a parihara sthalam for Marriage. It was told that Girls used to tie Mangalsutra to Ambal and Boys will tie Mangal Sutra to Rishabam, as a prayer to get married.
Devotees worships Kubera Ganapati ( North facing – left side immediately after the south side entrance ) and Swarna Bairavar for Material Prosperity, wealth and Vijaya Ganapati for getting success in academic, business endeavors, Professional etc,.
POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart from oru kala regular poojas, Special poojas are conducted on Pradosam, Maha Shivaratri, Karthigai Deepam, Pournami, Sankatahara Chathurti, 108 Sangabhishekam in the month December, Deipirai ashtami, Hanuman Jayanthi, etc,.
TEMPLE TIMINGS
The temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs to 11.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.
CONTACT DETAILS
The Land Line number +91- 44- 2747 2235 and mobile number +91 98403 64782, may be contacted for further details.
HOW TO REACH
The temple is on the Padavettamman Koil Street, about 350 meters from Kovalam bus Terminus ( Route Nos 19GCT, 566B, and 588 ) ie the Junction of Padavettamman Koil Street and Dargah Road.
The temple is 13 KM from Thiruporur Murugan Temple, 20 KM from Mahabalipuram, 24 KM from Thiruvanmiyur Bus Depot and 37 KM from Chennai Central.
Nearest Railway station is Thiruvanmiyur MRTS Railway Station.
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE
Ambal Sannidhi
Nagars
Maha Vishnu with Bhumadevi
Markandeswarar
Kali
The 16 Pillar mandapam and the donors
Kannappa Nayanar
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
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