Choleesvarar Temple, Thozhur

Choleesvarar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the deity Shiva, located at Thozhur in Namakkal district, Tamil Nadu, India. ^{[1] [2] [3]}

Vaippu Sthalam

It is one of the shrines of the Vaippu Sthalams sung by Tamil Saivite Nayanar Appar. ^[2]

Presiding deity

The presiding deity in the garbhagriha, represented by the lingam , is known as Choleesvarar. The Goddess is known as Vislakshi. ^[2]

Specialities

During the rule of Kattiyannan, this place was the primary town for the seven towns found in the Kongu Nadu. They are Perumpalapatti, Perumakavundanpatti, Vandippalayam, Vempampatti, Puthuppatti, Kannanpatti and Ezhur. ^[1] The presiding deity of the temple was sung by Appar in his songs "Kodungalur Anjai" and "Piraiyurum Sadai Muduiyum". ^[2] Lord Shiva can be worshipped in Kodungallur, Anjaikkalam, Sengundrur, Konganam, Kundriyur, Kurakkukka, Nedungalam, Nannilam, Nellikka, Nindriyur, Needur, Niyamallur, Idumbavanam, Ezhumur, Ezhur, Thozhur, Erumbiyur, Emakudam and Kadambai Ilankovil. Those who worship the deity of this place and Aroor, Perumpatrapuliyur, Peravur, Naraiyur, Nallur, Nallatrur, Setrur, Naraiyur, Uraiyur, Othur, Utrathur, Alappur, Omampuliyur, Otriyur, Thuraiyur, Thuvaiyur and Thudaiyur will not get any hardship in the life. Now it is known as Tholur. ^[3]

Structure

It is said that this temple was built by one of the Early Chola kings, known as Karikal Chola in 700 C.E., Chera, Chola and Pandya kings made additions to this temple during their period. This temple is of granite structure. ^[3] Flagpost made of granite is found in front of the temple. On the four sides sculptures of lingam, Dakshinamurthy, nandhi and Durga are found. In the prakara shrines of Surya, Valampuri Vinayaka, Nāga, Five lingas, Subramania, Navagraha, Bairava and Chandra Vinayaka and Nāga sculptures are found in this temple. The shrines of the presiding deity and the goddess have vimana. In the mandapa, shrine of the presiding deity is found. ^[1]

Location

The temple is located at Thozhur, at distance of 3 km in Namakkal-Mohanur road, in Aniapuram road west. All the town buses from Namakkal to Mohanur ply in this route. Daily one time puja is held in this temple. ^[3]

References

1. பு.மா.ஜெயசெந்தில்நாதன், தேவார வைப்புத்தலங்கள், வர்த்தமானன் பதிப்பகம், சென்னை, 2009
2. மூவர் தேவார வைப்புத் தலங்கள், Muvar Thevara Vaippu Thalangal, தோழூர் (தோளூர்) Thozhur (Tholur), 6-70-5, 6-71-4
3. தேவார வைப்புத் தலங்கள், தோழூர் (தோளூர்), 6-70-5, 6-71-4