Sri Soleeswarar Swamy Temple, Kavanthandalam, Kanchipuram

 

Moolavar: Sri Soleeswarar swamy 

Amman: Sri Sundarambal

The temple is facing east with an entrance arch. Stucco image of Shiva and Parvati as rishabaroodar is on the top of the arch.  Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam / Kodimaram and Rishabam are after the entrance arch and before the Mukha mandapam. Moolavar is on a round avudayar. In koshtam, Siddhi Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, Brahma and Durgai.

In the inner praharam, Nalvar, Naga Lingam, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniyar, Natarajar with Sivakami and Chandikeswarar. Vinayagar and Navagraha are in the outer praharam. Ambal is in standing posture with abhaya varada hastam in a separate sannidhi facing south.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

During Chozha period this place was called as Jayangonda Chozha mandalathu URRukattu Kottathu Thamanur Nattu Kaivanthandalam alias Chathurvedi Mangalam, Srikarana Chathurvedimangalam. The inscription recorded for this temple belongs to Vikrama Chozha, Thirubhuvana Chakravarthi.

This temple was constructed during Rajaendra Chozha- I's – (1017 to 1040 CE ) period. The temple was called as Rajendra Chozheeswaram and this place was called as Jayangonda Chozha mandalathu Ootrurkottaththu Thammanur Nattu, Kavanthandalam alias Chaturvedi Mangalam. Now the Shiva temple is called as Chozheeswarar Temple. Even-though this Shiva temple was built during Rajendra Chozha-I’s period, his period inscriptions was not found, Instead Vikrama Chozha’s and Kulothunga Chozha’s inscriptions are found.

The inscription at Sri Lakshmi Narayana Perumal Temple, in the same Village records the construction of this Shiva Temple.  Rajendra Chozha-I's – (1017 to 1040 CE ) period. The Sanskrit inscription records the building of this “Rajendra Chozheeswaram” Temple by Vallala Kandan Pichan a Minister under Rajendra Chozha of Vaigur and this place was called as Jayangonda Chozhamandalathu ORRukattu Kottaththu Thammanur Nattu Kavanthandalam or Chaturvedi Mangalam. The inscription also mentions Pichan as Chozha Country Minister.

In sanskrit this place was mentioned as sthandilam - ஸ்தண்டிலம். How a Shiva Temple's inscription went to that Lakshmi Narayana Temple is not known. The details of the inscription with explanation are written by Sri Sankaranarayanan G in Sarasvatam.  ( The inscription is recorded in South Indian Inscriptions Volume 7, No 423 and Kanchipura mavatta Kalvettukkal Volume 4 )

Another Rajendra Chozha-I’s ( 1027 CE ) period ( SII-Vol 7, 424 ) inscription mentions as “Chaturvedi mangalathu Mahasabha … This is a incomplete and damaged inscription and further details are not known. 

Kulothunga Chozha’s, 24th reign year ( SII Vol 7, 415 ) inscription starts with meikeerhi as Thiribhuvana Chakravarthi madurayum Pandyan Mudithalaiyum koNdaruLina.... திரிபுவனசக்ரவர்திகள் மதுரையும் பாண்டியன் முடித்தலையும் கொண்டருளின... The inscription records the gift of land measuring 380 Kuli after sale as a capital by Kanakkani udaya Karanathan Kavaythandalamudayan alias Thiruvavalanchuzhi Udayan and Chozhamandalathu  Thirupputhur nathar Koyil Kaikolan Eesanadevan and his brother Periya Pillai.

Vikrama Chozha ‘s 5th reign year inscription ( SII Volume 7, 416 ), records the endowment of Naivedyam  by Jayangonda Chozhamandalathu Kiliyur nattu Kuruchi Udayan   Bhoomisutheeran Kannalathevan’s wife Poongamalachelvi. For the same a land was gifted to the sabha after sale for 20 Kasu.  

Vikrama Chozha’s 5th and 6th year, inscription ( SII Volume 7, 417 ) records the endowment of burning 3 sandhi lamps by  Poongamalachelvi ( mentioned in the above inscription ) and her Sister’s daughter Nangai. For the same 3 araiyee irandu ma  kasu – 3 அரையே இரண்டுமா காசு--- was gifted.

Vikrama Chozha’s 6th reign year inscription ( SII Volume 7, 418 ),  records the endowment Naivedyam, by the servant of the temple, who does thirupani called Andar Manivasagangadanthar. For the same a land was gifted after purchase for 6 Kasu.

Location: Sri Soleeswarar Swamy Temple, Kavanthandalam, Kanchipuram