Cholamadevi Sri Kailayamudaiyar Temple, Trichy

Address

Cholamadevi Sri Kailayamudaiyar Temple, Thiruverumbur Rd, Cholama Devi Village, Trichy Tamil Nadu 620011

Diety

Sri Kailayamudaiyar Amman: Karpagambal

Introduction

Kailayamudaiyar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Cholamadevi Village in Trichy District of Tamilnadu. The Temple is located amidst the lush green paddy fields and sylvan surrounding on the northern banks of the Uyyakondan channel. The Siva Temple consists of a central shrine, ardha and Mahamandapams. The presiding deity, the Linga has a square base. The four-pillared Ardha Mandapam has exquisite in the front. Two Dwarapalas sculpture adorn the entrance of the Ardhamandapam. The main deity (Shiva) is called as Kailayamudaiyar. The Goddess is named as Karpagambal. The temple is in dilapidated state today. As the shrine of Goddess is not in good condition, the idol of Goddess is also placed near Shiva Linga. The main shrine has the big relief images of Dwarapalas. They look somewhat similar to the images of Tanjore Big Temple.

Puranic Significance

The highlight of the temple is that it was built by Rajaraja Chola I, who also built the internationally famous Big Temple of Tanjore. It dates to the 11th century A.D and is a treasure house of historic information. The small bali peetha and Nandi idol are found facing the temple under the open space. A lot of idols that are excavated in and around the site are placed inside the temple – Ayyanar with two consorts, Kaumari, Murugan and Valli, Chandikeswarar, Surya, Vishnu Durgai and another Goddess. Ganesha, Dhakshinamoorthi, Bhikshatana, Vishnu, Brahma and Durga are found as koshta idol surrounding the temple wall. The image of Dhakshinamoorthi is completely destroyed. In the temple wall, there is a small hole with the relief image of snake; it is the hole which was left for the snakes to enter inside the temple, it is believed. The temple, dating back to the 11th century, is a virtual treasure house of historic information pertaining to the Cholas. The adhishtana and the walls of the temple are fully covered with inscriptions belonging to the periods of Raja Raja Chola I, Rajendra Chola I and Vira Rajendra Chola I. A majority of the inscriptions belong to Raja Raja I. As per the inscriptions, the village was once called as ‘Thenkarai Brahmadeyam Sri Cholamadevi Chadurvedi Mangalam’. This village was an important site during those times. It is said that Cholamadevi (referred in this place) was the 13th wife of Rajaraja Chola; he built this temple and a palace nearby for his queen. As per one of the inscriptions found in this temple, a huge flower garden measuring around 7 acres was there adjoining the temple; the flowers were used to be sent til the far-off Kanchipuram city.