Kailaya Eswaramudaiya Mahadev Temple - Kesavaram

Kesavaram is a small village located at a distance of around 70 km from Chennai. The nearest well-known site is Thakolam, which is at a distance of about 3 km from here. It is the village where the river Cooum originates. A dam was constructed at the exact site where the river Kosasthalaiyar is split into two rivers. The second river thus originates here is called Cooum. The dam is called Kesavaram Dam.

At around one km from Kesavarm Dam, we can reach the ancient Chola period stone temple of Lord Shiva by walking through the paddy fields. Due to encroachments, there is no proper road or pathway to reach this destination. 

(P.S. Thanks to the efforts and funds raised by Aalayam Kanden Trust, the temple has become accessible now. The vehicles can go up to the temple now.)

The site where the temple is located was once called Kailaya Eswaram. Hence, Lord Shiva in this temple is named Kailaya Eswaramudaiya Mahadev, which means Mahadev (Shiva's other name), who owns Kailaya Eswaram. 

Kailaya Eswaram is technically an island surrounded by Cooum, Kosasthalaiyar and Kallaru. We do not find water in both these rivers now, which is a different sad story. The third river, Kallaru, does not exist at all now. It was called Moksha Nadi in those days; hence, the island was also called Moksha dweep.

Kulotunga Chola I of the 11th century C.E. gave Uriyur village as a grant for this temple. This temple appears to have been built from the assignments given by his wife, Ezhulagam Udaiyal. The temple has Chola period inscriptions.

The temple is currently in a dilapidated state. However, a few volunteers have been spending much effort and time recently renovating this temple. 

The east-facing temple does not have a gopura or flagstaff. The stone temple has the Gaja prshtha Vimana resembling the back side of the sleeping elephant. 

The sanctum enshrines Lord Shiva called Kailaya Eswaramudaiya Mahadev. There are no sculptures found in the ardha mandapa or maha mandapa. 

The beautiful sculptures of Ganesha, Dakshinamurti, Lingodbhava, Brahma and Vishnu Durga are found as niche images.

Recently, a new Nandi icon and a new sub-shrine for Chandikeshwara have been sculpted. 

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

(P.S. Although I have mentioned that this temple is located at the origin of the river Cooum, it is not based on mythology. Technically, this temple is located near the source of Cooum. But, mythologically, Tiruvirkolam temple is considered one on the banks of the river Cooum.)

Happy travelling.

Visit my site, krishnakumartk.com, to know more about the travel guides and other books that I have written.