Kovalam Kailasanathar Temple
Kovalam village, located on the East Coast Road (ECR) between Chennai and Mamallapuram, is famous for its beach. A lot of people who travel to Chennai would have visited this beach. However, most people, including the locals, are not aware of the ancient temple located in the same village.
If you travel around 300 meters from Kovalam beach towards East Coast Road, you can find the small ancient temple of Lord Kailasanathar (Shiva). It is slightly difficult to locate this temple as even the locals do not seem to have much idea about this temple.
Lord Kailasanathar, in the form of Shiv Linga, is the presiding deity of this temple. The Goddess Kamalavalli is found in a separate shrine.
There are other idols such as Ganesha and Subramanya with his consorts Valli-Devasena found in this temple. In the prakara, some of the 13th century CE period icons of Surya, Kali, Bhairava and Vishnu with Bhooma Devi (Earth Goddess) are kept. They were excavated in the site near the temple.
Kailasanathar temple is believed to have been built as a brick temple during the 8th century CE, and it was rebuilt as a stone temple during the 12th century CE. The current images in the temple are believed to be of the 13th century. The icons in the outside corridor and the temple tower are lovely.
If you happen to go to Kovalam, it doesn’t matter whether you visit the beach or not. You should definitely visit this beautiful ancient temple. Unfortunately, such an architectural marvel remains unknown to the outside world – even to the locals.
Happy travelling.
If you travel around 300 meters from Kovalam beach towards East Coast Road, you can find the small ancient temple of Lord Kailasanathar (Shiva). It is slightly difficult to locate this temple as even the locals do not seem to have much idea about this temple.
Lord Kailasanathar, in the form of Shiv Linga, is the presiding deity of this temple. The Goddess Kamalavalli is found in a separate shrine.
There are other idols such as Ganesha and Subramanya with his consorts Valli-Devasena found in this temple. In the prakara, some of the 13th century CE period icons of Surya, Kali, Bhairava and Vishnu with Bhooma Devi (Earth Goddess) are kept. They were excavated in the site near the temple.
Kailasanathar temple is believed to have been built as a brick temple during the 8th century CE, and it was rebuilt as a stone temple during the 12th century CE. The current images in the temple are believed to be of the 13th century. The icons in the outside corridor and the temple tower are lovely.
If you happen to go to Kovalam, it doesn’t matter whether you visit the beach or not. You should definitely visit this beautiful ancient temple. Unfortunately, such an architectural marvel remains unknown to the outside world – even to the locals.
Happy travelling.
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Very informative. I have decided to visit the place with my family.
ReplyDeleteWe are pleased to inform you that after extensive facelift and renovation, Maha Kumbabishegam works are in now full swing at Arulmigu Kanagavalli Ambal udanurai Kailasanathar Temple, Kovalam.
ReplyDeleteWe take great pleasure in inviting you for the Maha Kumbabishegam which will be held on 9th February, 2015, Monday between 6.00 to 7.30 AM. Yaagasaalai Poojai will commence on 8th February 2015, Sunday morning.
Our whole hearted thanks to you for your kind help, support and contribution in renovating this 1200 years old Arulmigu Kailasanathar Temple.
“Vaazhga Aramudan Valarga Aruludan”
We are pleased to inform you that after extensive facelift and renovation, Maha Kumbabishegam works are in now full swing at Arulmigu Kanagavalli Amman udanurai Kailasanathar Temple, Kovalam.
ReplyDeleteWe take great pleasure in inviting you for the Maha Kumbabishegam which will be held on 9th February, 2015, Monday between 6.00 to 7.30 AM. Yaagasaalai Poojai will commence on 8th February 2015, Sunday morning.
Our whole hearted thanks to you for your kind help, support and contribution in renovating this 1200 years old Arulmigu Kailasanathar Temple.
“Vaazhga Aramudan Valarga Aruludan”