Kailasanathar Temple, Nellikkuppam, Cuddalore
Kailasanathar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord
Shiva located at Nellikkuppam Town in Panruti Taluk in Cuddalore District of
Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Kailasanathar and Mother is called as Akhilandeshwari.
The Temple was believed to be built by Pallavas and is about 1400 years old.
There are three temples in the area around Nellikkuppam that
denote Kailasam, Shivalogam and Bhoologam, the three places where Lord Shiva is
worshipped. They are;
History
The Temple was believed to be built by Pallavas and is
about 1400 years old. The temple has received royal patronage from Cholas, Nayaks,
Kadavas and Vijayanagara Kings. The temple was constructed during the reign of Mahendravarma
Pallava I (600-630 CE). It is said that Mahendravarma Pallava started building
Shiva Temples over Jain Shrines when he was converted to Shaivism from Jainism
by the efforts of Thirunavukkarasar (Appar). This Temple is considered one
among those converted shrines.
During the desilting of the temple tank in recent times,
people had found an ancient Jain Theerthangar statue dating back to 5th
Century AD. The Temple authorities installed the statue in the temple premises.
The Temple received patronage from Kundavai Nachiyar, elder sister of Chola
Emperor Rajaraja Chola I. An inscription on the lintel of the sanctum attests
this fact. There is an inscription dated to Chola King Vikrama Chola (1118 –
1135 CE) talks about the renovation done by Chola Emperor Rajendra Chola I.
The temple was called as Kailsamudaiya Rajendra Chozheswaram
and the place was called as Rajaraja Valanattu Cholavalli Nallur in the
inscriptions available in this temple. Mandapams, Veera Anjaneya Shrine and the
walls were built during Nayak Period. There is an inscription dated to 17th
Century CE mentions about the temple renovations carried out by Irandaairam
Mudaligal. The Temple contains ten Chola era inscriptions, one Nayakkar period
inscriptions and rest three inscriptions are of recent origin.
The Temple
This Temple is facing towards east, but the temple
entrance is from the southern side as the eastern entrance is not in use due to
the encroachment by the locals. The Sanctum Sanctorum consists of Sanctum,
Artha Mandapam and Maha Mandapam. Presiding Deity is called as Kailasanathar
and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. Dakshinamoorthy
(without the Banyan tree behind him), Vishnu Durga with a Prayoga Chakra (bison
head at her feet is missing), Vishnu, Vinayaga and Brahma are the Koshta idols
located around the sanctum walls.
Idols of Lord Murugan and Vinayaga can be found at the
entrance of the sanctum. Mother is called as Akhilandeshwari. She is housed in
a separate south facing shrine. Her idol is around 6 feet tall. Her shrine is
situated to left side of the sanctum. There is a shrine for Lord Vinayaga in
the south west corner of the Temple premises. There is a small shrine in the
form of Maadakoil can be found next to the Vinayaga Shrine. It might have
housed a Lingam in ancient times. Now, no deity is enshrined in this shrine.
There is a shrine for Lord Murugan in the temple
premises. This shrine houses Baladhandayuthapani facing south and Lord Murugan
with his consorts Valli & Deivanai facing east. Sthala Vriksham, Vanni tree
is located near to Murugan Shrine. There is a small Lingam beneath this Tree.
There are shrines for Veera Anjaneya, Bhairavar, Kala Bhairavar, Suryan, Vishnu,
Navagrahas, Veerabhadra, Chandikeswarar, Ayyanar with his consorts Poorna &
Pushkala and Jyeshta Devi with Maanthi & Kuligai in the Temple premises.
Temple Opening Time
The Temple remains open from 06.00 AM to 10.00 AM and
05.00 PM to 07.00 PM.
Contact
Kailasanathar Temple,
Nellikkuppam, Panruti Taluk,
Cuddalore District – 607 105
Mobile: +91 77088 41065 /
93676 46591 / 98407 23477
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 1 Km from Nellikkuppam
Main Bus Stand, 1.5 Kms from Nellikkuppam Railway Station, 11 Kms from Cuddalore,
14 Kms from Cuddalore Port Junction Railway Station, 14 Kms from Cuddalore Bus
Stand, 14 Kms from Panruti, 15 Kms from Panruti Railway Station, 31 Kms from
Puducherry, 34 Kms from Puducherry Airport, 172 Kms from Chennai Airport and
182 Kms from Chennai. The Temple is situated on Cuddalore to Panruti Route.
