Kulathur Sundara Choleeswarar Temple, Pudukottai

Address

Kulathur Sundara Choleeswarar Temple, Pudukottai

Trichy- Pudukkotti Road, Kulathur,

Pudukkottai District,

Tamil Nadu 622504

Moolavar

Sundara Choleeswarar

Amman

Parvathy

Introduction

The Sundara Choleeswarar Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is located in Kulathur Village near Keeranur Town in the Kulathur Taluk of the Pudukottai District in Tamil Nadu, India.

Presiding Deity: The main deity of the temple is Lord Shiva, and he is known as Sundara Choleeswarar. He is represented in the form of a Shiva Lingam and faces east.
Age: The temple is believed to be around 1,500 years old, reflecting its historical and cultural significance.
Historical Significance: The temple is an ancient structure and is believed to have been built by the Chola dynasty. An inscription dating back to the 30th regnal year of Kulotunga Chola III is the oldest inscription found in this temple. This inscription records the reconstruction of the vimana (tower) of the temple.
Location: The temple is conveniently situated, approximately 3 kilometers from the Keeranur Bus Stand, 22 kilometers from Pudukkottai, and 26 kilometers from Trichy Airport. It is located on the route from Trichy to Pudukottai.
Architecture: The temple consists of various components, including the sanctum (garbhagriha), ardha mandapam, maha mandapam, and mukha mandapam. In front of the mukha mandapam, there is a Nandi (the sacred bull), which faces towards the sanctum. Unfortunately, only the lower part of the vimana (temple tower) remains.
Deities: Apart from the main deity, Lord Sundara Choleeswarar, there is a shrine for Chandikeswarar, who is often associated with Lord Shiva. A south-facing shrine is dedicated to Goddess Parvathy (Parvati) and is located in the mukha mandapam. Unlike some larger temples, there are no other deities in this temple.

The Sundara Choleeswarar Temple is not only a place of worship but also an important archaeological site, reflecting the historical and architectural heritage of the region. It offers visitors a glimpse into the rich cultural and religious history of Tamil Nadu.