Thirunareeswarar Temple, Kandamangalam, Villupuram
Thirunareeswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Kandamangalam Village in Villupuram District of Tamilnadu. The Temple is located very near to Union Territory of Puducherry. Presiding Deity is called as Thirunareeswarar and Mother is called as Thiripurasundari. The Temple is under the Control of Archeological Survey of India (ASI).
History
This temple was built by Kandarathitha Chola, but there is no inscription available in this Temple to back up the claim. Inscriptions dating to Rajendra Chola I and Kulothunga Chola I can be found in the Temple. As per the inscriptions, the place was called as Sri Kandarathitha Mangalam and later got corrupted to Kandamangalam.
The Temple
This temple is facing east with an entrance arch. Palipeedam, Dwajasthambam and Nandhi are situated immediately after the entrance arch. Presiding Deity is called as Thirunareeswarar. Presiding Deity is housed in the sanctum. The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, Antarala and Arthamandapam. The roof is flat on the sanctum without any vimana. Stucco Images of Dwarabalakars are found at the entrance of the sanctum.
Vinayagar, Dhakshinamoorthy, Vishnu, Brahma and Durgai are the niche idols located around the sanctum walls. Mother is called as Thiripurasundari. There are shrines for Valampuri Vinayagar, Lord Subramanya with his consorts Valli & Devasena, Gajalakshmi, Anjaneya, Suryan, Bairavar, Navagrahas and Chandran in the Temple premises. A Sculpture of Vishnu can also be seen in the temple prakaram.
Temple Opening Time
The Temple remains open from 07.00 AM to 09.00 AM and 05.00 PM to 08.00 PM.
Connectivity
The Temple is situated besides Kandamangalam Bus Stop. The Temple is located at about 400 meters from Chinna Babu Samudram Railway Station, 3 Kms from Thiruvandarkoil, 6 Kms from Madagadipet, 9 Kms from Villianur, 17 Kms from Puducherry Main Bus Stand, 18 Kms from Puducherry Railway Station, 20 Kms from Puducherry Airport, 9.5 Kms from Villianur Railway Station, 23 Kms from Villupuram, 21 Kms from Villupuram Railway Station, 157 Kms from Chennai Airport and 178 Kms from Chennai. The Temple is located on the Puducherry – Villupuram highway. Bus facilities are available from both ends. Buses are available for every 10 minutes from Puducherry Main Bus Stand and Villupuram Bus Stand.
From Pondicherry, take the Villupuram bound Bus and get down at Kandamangalam Bus Stop. The Pondicherry Road Transport Corporation and The Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation operates bus services from Pondicherry to Villupuram via Kandamangalam. Nearest Railway Station is located at Chinna Babu Samudram, Villianur and Puducherry. Nearest Airport is located at Puducherry and Chennai.
Location
References