Vidya Vineetha Pallava
Parameswarar Temple, Kooram – The Temple
This temple is facing towards west. The Sanctum Sanctorum consists of Sanctum, Ardha Mandapam and Mukha Mandapam. The entrance to the sanctum is from the south side of Maha Mandapam. The Pillars in the Mandapam has inscriptions. Vinayaga and Murugan can be found at the entrance of the sanctum. Murugan appears in Brahma Sastha form. He is having four hands. He is holding Akshara Mala and Kamandala in his upper hands.
Presiding Deity is called as Vidya Vineetha Pallava Parameswarar and is facing west. He is housed in the Sanctum in the form of Linga. Lingam is tall and housed in square Avudaiyar. Nandi, Bana Lingam and Balipeedam can be found in front of the sanctum facing the Lord. Banalingam between Nandi and Balipeedam is an unusual feature nowhere to be seen. The Temple was constructed in such a way that Sunrays will fall on Shiva Linga during sunset.
The Sanctum is in the form of Gajabrusta, the shape of an elephant in its sitting posture. This Temple is considered as the first temple in Tamil Nadu which follows Gajabrusta construction. There is no Vimana over the sanctum. The walls of the Sanctum and the Mandapam were built with granite originally. Only foundations remained, and later rebuilt with brick construction on the existing granite foundation.
As in other temples in Kanchipuram, there is no separate shrine of Parvathi as it is believed that Kamakshi of Kanchipuram Kamakshi Temple is the common Parvathi shrine for all Shiva temples. An idol of Nataraja was found in the temple premises during renovations. The idol of Nataraja found here is the dance posture of Oorthuvajanu. There is no Ganga in his matted hair and the Agni in his hand is found replaced with a snake. There is no Thiruvasi around the Idol also.
This Idol is dated back to 9th Century AD. This Idol found here is now placed in Chennai Museum. Theertham associated with this temple is Parameswara Thadagam. The temple tank is situated on the southern side of the temple. There is an Amman temple situated on the bank of the temple tank. Few ancient idols can be seen on this temple. The idols might belong to the Shiva temple.
Sthala Vriksham is Vilwa. There are about 9 inscriptions recorded in this Temple belonging to Parameswara Pallava, Rajasimha Pallava, Nripatungavarma Pallava, Nandivarman Pallava II and Rajaraja Chola. The inscriptions talk about donations for conducting Poojas, offering of perpetual lamps, reading Mahabharata and renovations.
