Shiva Temple, Kaliyapatti,
Pudukottai
Kaliyapatti Shiva Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, located in Kaliyapatti Village near Kunnandarkoil in Kulathur Taluk in Pudukottai District of Tamil Nadu, India. This temple is considered as one of the best specimens of early Chola Temples in Tamilnadu. The Temple is called as Ottai Koil by the locals.
History
The Temple is believed to be built by Cholas in 9th
century CE. The Temple is one of the
protected monuments in Tamil
Nadu declared by Archaeological
Survey of India.
This Temple is facing towards east and is completely built in granite. The Temple consists of sanctum and ardha mandapam. The ardha mandapa is completely lost except its foundation. Nandi Mandapa can be seen in front of the sanctum. The Vimana over the sanctum is of single tier. Four Nandis and three images of Brahma, Dakshinamurti and Vishnu were found during an earlier restoration work.
The images were installed on their respective positions over the niches on the griva. All the images were lost except the image of Dakshinamoorthy. Two Nandis were put on the corners over the griva and one was placed in the Nandi Mandapam. There is no information about the fourth Nandi. Only the Nandi installed on the Nandi Mandapam remains. Ruins of seven shrines can be seen around the temple.
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 2.5 Kms from Malayadipatti,
5 Kms from Killukkottai, 10 Kms from Kunnandarkoil, 16 Kms from Keeranur
Railway Station, 17 Kms from Keeranur, 17 Kms from Keeranur Bus Stand, 19 Kms
from Kulathur, 34 Kms from Trichy, 35 Kms from Trichy Airport and 43 Kms from
Pudukottai. The Temple is situated on Keeranur to Killukkottai route.