Vellalore Theneeswarar Temple, Coimbatore

Address

Vellalore, Coimbatore district,

Tamil Nadu 641016

Moolavar

Sri Theneeswarar (Theniswarar)

Amman

Sri Sivakamasundari Ambal

Introduction

The Theneeswarar Temple is dedicated to Shiva located in Vellalore, near Coimbatore city in Coimbatore District, western part of Tamil Nadu in state of southeastern India. The temple is also referred as Sri Sivakama Sundari Ambal Samedha Sri Theneeswarar Temple. The temple is facing east with a unique stone structure and square Gopuram. Dwajasthambam, Palipedam and Nandhi are immediately after the entrance square gopuram.

Puranic Significance

As per the local belief, this was the Lingam worshipped by the celestial cow Kamadhenu and hence came to be called Dhenu Eswarar which over a period of time, became Theneeswarar. This temple is constructed by Karikala Chozhan.Though it is more than 1500 years old, during the 14th century, Allaudin Kilji’s forces destroyed the temple. During the 19th century, a complete renovation and Kumbabishekam were done. The 1920 year (Salivahana sakaptha 1842 ) inscription records that, Kumarakonan’s wife Maruthakkal established Vishwanathan Visalakshi Amman 63 Nayanmar idols with Mandapam. For the same Lands belongs to her worth of Rs 2500 at Vellalur, Singanur, Chettipalayam gifted to this temple It is believed that Sun worships Shiva of this temple. To prove the same, Sun rays used to fall on moolavar on 1st day of Tamil Month Chithirai (April- May).

Special Features

The temple consists of Sanctum sanctorum, antarala, Artha mandpam and Maha mandapam. The temple is facing east with a unique stone structure like square Gopuram. Dwajasthambam, balipeedam and Rishabam are immediately after the entrance square gopuram. In koshtam Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma, and Durgai.

In the outer prakaram sannadhi for Nagars under Peepal /Bodhi tree, Suryan 63var with Athiri maharishi & Viswanathar Visalakshi, Sakthi Vinayagar, Pancha Lingeswarar (both Sakthi Vinayagar and Pancha Lingeswarar are made of white stone), Balamurugan, Chandikeswarar ( Ayyanar posture ), Chandran, Bhairavar, Saneeswaran and Navagrahas. Ambal is also facing east on the left side of moolavar..

This has been extracted from,

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/p/know-them-by-district.html