Uthamadhaneeswarar Temple,
Keelathaniyam, Pudukottai
Uthamadhaneeswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, located in Keelathaniyam Village in Ponnamaravathi Taluk in Pudukottai District of Tamil Nadu, India. The temple was built in 9th century CE by Ko Ilango Mutharaiyar, a Mutharaiyar Chieftain and later renovated by Rajaraja Chola I. The Temple is one of the protected monuments in Tamil Nadu declared by Archaeological Survey of India.
The Temple
This Temple is facing towards east and enclosed within a compound wall. Balipeedam and Nandi, housed in a mandapam can be found immediately after the entrance facing towards sanctum. The Temple consists of sanctum, ardha mandapam and maha mandapam. The sanctum enshrines the presiding deity, Uthamadhaneeswarar, in Lingam form.
The Vimana over the sanctum is of single tier. Idols of Nandi can be seen on the four corners on the roof surrounding the vimana. Dakshinamoorthy, Vishnu and Durga are the koshta idols located around the sanctum walls. There is a separate south facing shrine for Parvathy in the temple premises. Her shrine is situated to the left side of the sanctum.
Her shrine consists of sanctum and ardha mandapam. The vimana over her shrine is of single tier. Idols of Nandi can be seen on the four corners on the roof surrounding the vimana. The maha mandapam and Parvathy shrine were added during Pandyas rule in 12th century CE. There is pond situated near to this temple.
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 18 Kms from
Ponnamaravathi, 18 Kms from Illupur, 26 Kms from Annavasal, 28 Kms from
Pudukottai, 30 Kms from Pudukottai Railway Station, 33 Kms from Viralimalai, 54
Kms from Trichy Airport and 70 Kms from Trichy. The Temple is situated on Illupur
to Ponnamaravathi route.