Kailasanathar Temple,
Thiruloki, Thanjavur
Kailasanathar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Thiruloki Village in Thiruvidaimarudur Taluk in Thanjavur District in Tamil Nadu. The Temple was built in little elevated position. This Temple was similar to the architecture of Gangai Konda Cholapuram Temple.
History
Emperor Rajaraja Chola 1’s wife
is Thirailokkiya Maadevi, the village is named after her. The Village was
called as Rajendra Simha Valanaattu Manninattu Emanalluragiya Thirailokkiya
Mathevi Chathurvedhimangalam during Emperor Rajendra Chola I Period. It has
been inscribed in one of the Chola Inscriptions. Rajendra Chola I donated this
Village to learned Brahmins in memory of his step mother Thirulokiyamaadevi,
one of wives of his father, Emperor Rajaraja Chola I. Lord of this Temple was
called as Kayilasamudaiyar as per the inscription dated to 8th
regnal year of Chola King Rajaraja Chola II.
Chola Emperor king Rajendra
Chola I led an expedition to North India between 1019 and
1024. The expedition traversed the states of Vengi,
Kalinga, Odda and Bengal culminating
with their arrival at the Ganges river. The Chola victory over the Pala king Mahipala
I is considered to be the climax of the expedition. After
defeating Mahipala in a pitched battle, Rajendra Chola’s commander Araiyan
Rajarajan reached the Ganges and took some water with him on his journey
back.
Araiyan Rajarajan was met by
Rajendra I on the banks of the Godavari and the combined armies brought the
Ganges water with them to Chola country. Before entering his newly built
capital Gangai Konda Cholapuram, Emperor Rajendra Chola visited this Temple and
worshipped Lord Shiva. After worshipping Lord Shiva, he entered Gangai Konda
Cholapuram with Ganges water to purify his newly built capital. This shows that
this temple was held in high esteem during his days.
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 5
Kms from Thugili, 5 Kms from Thiruppanandal, 6 Kms from Kanjanur, 9 Kms from
Thirumangalakudi, 9 Kms from Suriyanar Kovil, 11 Kms from Aduthurai, 11 Kms
from Aduthurai Railway Station, 11 Kms from Narasingampettai Railway Station,
22 Kms from Kumbakonam, 22 Kms from Mayiladuthurai, 62 Kms from Thanjavur and
110 Kms from Trichy Airport. The Temple is situated on Thiruppanandal to
Aduthurai Route. Bus facilities are available from Kumbakonam, Mayiladuthurai
and Thiruppanandal.