Kottai Easwaran Coimbatore

Kottai Easwaran Coimbatore temple could have been constructed as early as 900 CE by Parantaka Chola I. This is assumed from the fact that the Vimaanas of the temple were flat topped. This is also strengthened by the revelation from the style of the pillars by one Tabruewel Adailash (spelling to be corrected), a French Archaelogist, who studied this temple. 6 Stone inscriptions belonging to 13 and 14th Century CE have been discovered in Kottai Easwaran Coimbatore. From these we learn that this place was once called ‘Peroor Naattu Kovan Puthur’, ‘Veerakerala Nalloor’ and Umaparameswari Chaturvedimangalam’. Some other inscriptions also reveal that this place was called Veera Chola Mangalam during the times of the Kongu Cholas who ruled between 1132 and 1258. The Mughals destroyed and looted many temples including this one between 1339 and 1365. Kottai Easwaran Coimbatore temple was the center of the town in the ancient days. Later the Vijayanagar Kings (1368-1600) took over the damaged temple and renovations were done. Proof of this is seen in the form inscriptions and the of style of the pillars which were again found damaged. Later in 1805 William Kare, who took over as collector, is said to have discovered the buried temple and taken up renovation. In recent times various additions and modifications were done.

An Asura performed severe penance towards Lord Shiva and attained powerful boons including one that he could not be killed in any way. He then began to harass the celestial world and its beings and the sages. When they approached Lord Indra he told that Lord Shiva alone could save them. They came to this place which was full of Sangu Pushpam plants (Clitoria species) and prayed to Lord Shiva who killed the Asura.