Rudra
Koteeswarar Temple, Keezha Kadambur, Cuddalore
Rudra Koteeswarar Temple is a
Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Keezha Kadambur Village in Cuddalore
District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Rudra Koteeswarar /
Rudrapathi and Mother is called as Soundara Nayagi. The Temple is considered as
Thevara Vaippu Sthalam as Devaram hymns had a mention about this Temple. The Temple is under the control of
Archaeological Survey of India.
The Temple
The Temple is also called as
Kadambai Ilangkovil. Ilangkovils are the temporary temples built to avoid
obstruction in conducting Poojas to the deities when the original temple
undergoes renovation. Presiding Deity is called as Rudra Koteeswarar /
Rudrapathi and Mother is called as Soundara Nayagi. Idols of Saptha Mathas
Indrani, Brahmi, Varahi, Chamundi, Maheshwari, Goumari and Vaishnavi have been
excavated and kept in the Temple premises. Two Lingas in dilapidated condition
and a Nandhi can be found outside the sanctum.
The temple depicts the history
of Nayanmars in sculptures. Some of the names of Nayanmars are found in the inscriptions
in Adhistanam. These inscriptions are dated back to 12th Century AD.
These sculptures predate the Darasuram Temple, commissioned by Rajaraja Chola II.
Scenes depicting Karaikal Ammaiyar departure to Kailash in inverted position, Story
of Kannappa Nayanar and Chandikeswarar and Thadagai, a female saint worshipping
Lord Shiva are noteworthy sculptures of this Temple.
Literary Mention
The Temple is considered as
Thevara Vaippu Sthalam as Devaram hymns sung by Appar had a mention about this
Temple. The Temple is mentioned in 6th Thirumurai in 70st
Patikam in 5th Song.
கொடுங்கோளூர் அஞ்சைக்களம் செங்குன்றூர்
கொங்கணம் குன்றியூர் குரக்குக் காவும்
நெடுங்களம் நன்னிலம் நெல்லிக்காவு
நின்றியூர் நீடூர் நியம நல்லூர்
இடும்பாவனம் எழுமூர் ஏழூர் தோழூர்
எறும்பியூர் ஏராரும் ஏமகூடம்
கடம்பை இளங்கோயில் தன்னினுள்ளும்
கயிலாயநாதனையே காணலாமே.
Contact
Rudra Koteeswarar Temple,
Keezha Kadambur,
Mela Kadambur Post,
Kattumannarkudi Taluk,
Cuddalore District – 608 304
Mobile: +91 99431
33058
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about
1.5 Kms from Melakadambur, 1.5 Kms from Melakadambur Amirthakadeswarar Temple, 6
Kms from Kattumannarkoil, 6 Kms from Kattumannarkoil Bus Stand, 14 Kms from Gangaikonda
Cholapuram, 31 Kms from Chidambaram, 32 Kms from Chidambaram Railway Station,
74 Kms from Cuddalore, 96 Kms from Puducherry,
99 Kms from Puducherry Airport and 132 Kms from Trichy Airport. The Temple is
situated on Chidambaram to Gangai Konda Cholapuram Route via Kattumannarkoil.
Location
