Rajendra Choleeswarar Temple, Ponnamaravathi, Pudukottai

Rajendra Choleeswarar Temple, Ponnamaravathi, Pudukottai

Rajendra Choleeswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, located in Ponnamaravathi Town in Ponnamaravathi Taluk in Pudukottai District of Tamil Nadu, India. The Temple is one of the protected monuments in Tamil Nadu declared by Archaeological Survey of India.

History

The temple is believed to have been built by Rajaraja Chola II in memory of his great grandfather Kulothunga Chola I. There are four inscriptions dating back to the Cholas and Pandyas in the temple. The Chola inscription records the construction of the sanctum and the consecration of the Shiva Linga named Rajendra Choleeswara Udaiyar Mahadevar by a local chieftain. Ponnamaravathi is said to be situated in Puramalai Naadu, in Rajendra Chola Valanadu, a district of Rajaraja Pandi Nadu as per the inscriptions in the temple.

The Temple

This temple is facing towards east. Balipeedam and Nandi housed in mandapam can be found outside the temple facing towards the sanctum. There is a mukha mandapam attached to the main entrance. The temple consists of sanctum, ardha mandapam and maha mandapam. The sanctum enshrines the presiding deity, Rajendra Choleeswarar / Rajendra Choleeswara Udaiyar in the form of Shiva Lingam.

There are niches around the sanctum walls. The southern niche enshrines an image of Gnana Dakshinamoorthy and the northern niche enshrines an image of Brahma. The western niche is empty. Chandikeswara shrine can be seen in his usual location. The goddess Parvathy is enshrined in a south facing shrine in maha mandapam. The bronze image of Somaskanda in this temple belongs to Later Cholas period.

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 500 metres from Ponnamaravathi Bus Stand, 22 Kms from Singampunari, 27 Kms from Tirupattur, 28 Kms from Thirumayam, 30 Kms from Thirumayam Railway Station, 35 Kms from Pudukkottai, 48 Kms from Karaikudi, 77 Kms from Trichy Airport, 81 Kms from Trichy and 81 Kms from Madurai. The temple is situated on Pudukkottai to Singampunari route.

Location