Wednesday, August 19, 2020

Choleeswarar Temple, Korakkavadi, Cuddalore

Choleeswarar Temple, Korakkavadi, Cuddalore
Choleeswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Korakkavadi Village in Thittagudi Taluk in Cuddalore District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Choleeswarar and Mother is called as Periya Nayagi / Brihannayagi. The Temple is situated on the banks of Vasishta River.

The Temple
This Temple is facing towards east with an entrance arch. Nandi and Balipeedam can be found immediately after the entrance facing the sanctum. The Sanctum Sanctorum consists of Maha Mandapam, Artha Mandapam and Sanctum. Presiding Deity is called as Choleeswarar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam.

Vinayagar, Dakshinamoorthy, Lingodbhava, Brahma and Durga are the Koshta idols located around the sanctum walls. Chandikeswarar Shrine can be found in his usual location. The Vimana over the sanctum is tall and is richly decorated with stucco images of Ananda Sayana Vishnu, Nataraja and other Hindu deities.
Mother is called as Periya Nayagi / Brihannayagi. She is housed in a separate east facing shrine. Her shrine is situated to the left side of the sanctum. Her idol is about 5 feet tall. There is a big idol of Ambika at the entrance of her shrine. This Idol might be the original idol housed in the sanctum in ancient times.

There are shrines for Vinayaga, Murugan, Bhairavar, Suryan and Navagrahas in the temple premises. There are few inscriptions found in the Adishtana of the temple. An inscription dated to 12th Century CE talks about the gift given to Eesanathevar Madam by Vaanarayan. Also, another inscription talks about the installation of Vinayaga in the Koshta by a person named Maruthanthapuram Petran Perumal.
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 4 Kms from Kariyanur, 10 Kms from Koogaiyur, 13 Kms from Tholudur, 19 Kms from Aragalur, 23 Kms from Chinna Salem Railway Station, 28 Kms from Thittagudi, 101 Kms from Trichy Airport and 120 Kms from Cuddalore. The Temple is situated on Tholudur to Attur Route via Aragalur.
Location