Choleeswarar Kavanthandalam

God

Choleeswarar, facing east

Goddess

Sundarambal, facing south

Other Deities

Outer Prakaram – Navagraha, Vinayaka, Nataraja, Naalvar. Inner Prakaram – Vinayaka, Balamuruga, Nagalingam, Varasidhi Vinayaka, Muruga with consorts, Bhairava. Sanctum Niches – Narthana Vinayaka, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, Brahma, Durga, Chandikeswara

Choleeswarar Kavanthandalam is an ancient east facing temple with 2 Prakarams. The entrance is through a gate in the east. The outer Prakaram is large and spacious. The inner Prakraram is entered crossing a Mantapam. As you enter the lord faces you and the goddess is on the right. Both Sanctum Sanctorum and the shrine of the goddess have covered passages for circumambulation. The Cheyyar River runs opposite and a little distance to the east. A neglected temple pond is present adjacent and north of the temple.

Holy Water (Theertham) – Cheyyar River, Temple pond

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – Vilwam (Aegle marmelos)

History

Choleeswarar Kavanthandalam was built by the Cholas around 815 CE. There are 10 stone inscriptions here, the details of which are not available as of now.

Legend

The Shiva Lingam at Choleeswarar Kavanthandalam is believed to have been brought from Himalayas, installed and worshiped here in a natural garden. A Chola King built the temple later. This place was originally called Kashyapa Thandalam and later corrupted to Kavan Thandalam.

Directions

Choleeswarar Kavanthandalam is 9.5 kilometers south of Walajabad. Cross the Paalar River at Walajabad and at the Avalur crossing take a right and then the left and drive through Tammanur and Kambarajapuram to reach Kasi Viswanathar Kavanthandalam which is on the main road itself.

Stay and Food

None locally. Walajabad and Kancheepuram are the nearest places for food.