Sundara Choleeswarar Kulathur

Sundara Choleeswarar, Kulathur

Saivite Temples, Pudhukottai District

God

Sundara Choleeswarar, facing east

Goddess

Parvathi, facing south

Other Deities

Nandi, Chandikeswara

Sundara Choleeswarar Kulathur is an ancient east facing temple situated in a large campus protected by the Archaeological Survey of India. Sundara Choleeswarar Kulathur has a small beautiful Nandi, Mukha Mandapa, Maha Mandapa, Ardha Mantapa leading into the Sanctum Sanctorum. On the north side of the Mukha Mantapa is the south facing shrine of the goddess. This is a beautiful temple constructed with stone. On top of the structures are Nandi sculptures. The Vimaanam over the sanctum sanctorum is of bricks and has not been reconstructed to its full extent. A separate shrine is there for Chandikeswara and is constructed with bricks. The sanctum niches are empty.

Holy Water (Theertham) – No information

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – No information

History

Sundara Choleeswarar Kulathur was built by the Cholas. An inscription dating back to the 30th regnal year of Kulothunga Chola III (10th Century CE) is the oldest inscription found here. It records the reconstruction of the Vimaana. The Shiva Lingam here at Sundara Choleeswarar Kulathur is said to go back to the 6th Century CE. An inscription lying under the Tamarind Tree in the temple campus dates back to the 13th Century CE. This records that the Asiryam (Padikaval rights) is given to one Pullai Sundara Akamahil Unnalikayar. Along with it are graphic engravings of Poornam Kumbha, a 3 legged stand, and lamps.

Legend

No information

Directions

Sundara Choleeswarar Kulathur is about 2.5 kilometers south of Keeranur and can be reached from inside the town and from the Thiruchirapalli-Pudukottai by-pass road. On the way and near this temple is an old Vishnu Temple also.

Stay and Food

None locally. Closest would be Thiruchirapalli and Pudukottai.