Kunteeswarar, Chinnakothur

Kunteeswarar Chinnakothur is a large east-facing temple that has been completely dilapidated. The original entrance gopuram has been in the south and remnants of it is still in the same location. The temple has 2 Prakarams. A large mandapam with 30 pillars is on the southwest side of the outer Prakaram. There are several mandapams including Mukha Mandapam, Maha Mandapam and Ardha Mandapam here at Kunteeswarar Chinnakothur. Stone slabs are found all around and the temple is slowly being restored by an organization called Aanda Arasu Shivalaya Seva Sangha, Bangalore 25 as displayed on a small board on the road. The inner Prakaram has a cloistered mandapam on the sides in the two west-side corners of which are the chambers of Vinayaka and a few other deities. None of them except the main deity and goddess are inside the temple right now and probably moved for safekeeping elsewhere. We came to know that in the ancient days this was the largest temple in the district and used to throng with people, activity, and festivities throughout the year. Sadly it wears a deserted look today.