Thursday, July 16, 2020

Choleeswarar Temple, Keezhadhanur, Cuddalore

Choleeswarar Temple, Keezhadhanur, Cuddalore
Choleeswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Keezhadhanur Village in Thittagudi Taluk in Cuddalore District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Choleeswarar and Mother is called as Brihannayaki. The Temple is believed to be built during Chola period.


The Temple
This temple is facing towards east. This is a medium sized temple enclosed by walls on all sides. Nandhi can be found facing the sanctum. The Sanctum Sanctorum consists of Sanctum, Artha Mandapam and Maha Mandapam. Presiding Deity is called as Choleeswarar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of 3 feet high Lingam. Dakshinamoorthy, Vishnu, Durga and Brahma are the Koshta Idols located around the sanctum walls.

Mother is called as Brihannayaki. Her shrine is located on right side of the sanctum. She is also facing east. There is an idol of a Chola King in worshipping posture in Nataraja Mandapam on the southern side inside the Temple premises. There is a shrine for Lord Murugan with his consorts Valli and Deivanai in the Temple premises. Lord Murugan Idol is having 12 hands.

There is a small yet beautiful of Idumban can be found facing the Murugan Shrine. Idumban statue was found from earth during some excavation works in the Temple. Nagas are installed on an elevated platform. There is a broken Avudaiyar in this temple near the Naga platform. There are shrines for Vinayaka, Chandikeswarar, Bhairavar, Suryan and Navagrahas in the Temple premises.

Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 9 Kms from Thittagudi, 9 Kms from Thittagudi Bus Stand, 10 Kms from Veppur, 24 Kms from Pennadam Railway Station, 98 Kms from Cuddalore and 102 Kms from Trichy Airport. The Temple is situated on Thittagudi to Avatti Route.
Location