Sivapuram - Chola-era Unknown Temple

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Site Name: Sivapuram Shiva Temple
Site Type: Hindu stone temple of Chola period
Location:  10 kms from Thakkolam, near Chennai city, Tamil Nadu state, India
Highlights: An ancient temple that belongs to Raja Raja Chola I period
Nearest Railway Station: Kanchipuram
Nearest Airport: Chennai
How to reach: Well connected by road from Chennai or Kanchipuram; public transport is difficult
Hotel: Go to Chennai where there are lot of options 
Restaurants: Go to Chennai or Kanchipuram where there are lot of options

Sivapuram is a small village located near Chennai city in South India. The nearest landmark to this tiny village is Thakkolam. The village has a small but beautiful stone temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is unfortunate that the temple remains unknown and hardly anyone visits this site.

This village was called as Urogadam and the temple was called as Rajarajeswaramudaiya Mahadevar Temple during the Chola period. It was built during the period (10th century CE) of the great Chola Emperor Raja Raja Chola I - the king who constructed the internationally popular Brahadeeswarar Temple of Tanjore. The inscriptions that belong to the period of Raja Raja Chola and Rajendra Chola are found in this temple.

The main deity, small Shiva Linga appears to be later addition. He is called as Teerthapaleeswarar in this temple. Kamakshi Amman, the Goddess is also found in the Maha mandap of the sanctum.

 The Koshta (niche) idols, Ganesha, Dakshinamurti, Lingodbhava, Brahma and Durga are very beautiful sculptures. Chandikeshwara is found in his usual place.

 There is no tower (gopura) or flag staff in this temple. Nandi and bali peetha are found facing the sanctum. There is a sub-shrine of Ganesha found in this temple.

Such a beautiful heritage site - it is sad to find this lying unknown!

Happy travelling.


















Location: Narasingapuram Road, Tamil Nadu 631210, India

Comments

  1. SATHYA VENKATESHSaturday, February 08, 2014

    Thanks for your valuable information

    ReplyDelete
  2. SATHYA VENKATESHSaturday, February 08, 2014

    Thanks for your kind information

    ReplyDelete
  3. SATHYA VENKATESHSaturday, February 08, 2014

    If you have more sites like this please let us know

    ReplyDelete
  4. SATHYA VENKATESHSaturday, February 08, 2014

    If you have more place similar to this please let us know

    ReplyDelete
  5. SATHYA VENKATESHSaturday, February 08, 2014

    Thanks for your valuable information

    ReplyDelete
  6. injamavenSunday, July 06, 2014

    great photos! Thanks as always.

    ReplyDelete
  7. UnknownSaturday, February 10, 2018

    sir exactly where is this temple located any contact details can b provided

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Indian ColumbusSunday, February 11, 2018

      Sir, pls check the Google map location given above as part of the article.

      I don't have any contact details though.

      Delete

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