Lord Shiva (Sangameswarar) Temple
Arulmigu Sangameswarar Temple
Sri Sangameswarar Temple, located in Kottaimedu in the heart of Coimbatore City, is an ancient Shiva temple with a history closely connected with the early history of Coimbatore.
The area is known as Kottaimedu, meaning “fort mound.” It is believed that a fort once existed here during the period of Tipu Sultan, although no visible remains of the fort survive today.
History and Name
One tradition connects the origin of Coimbatore's name with Covanputhur (கோவன்புத்தூர்), named after an Irula ruler called Covan, who is said to have ruled the region known as Perur Nadu.
According to local tradition, the area was once covered with Sangu flower plants or creepers. After these were cleared, the temple was established, and the shrine came to be known as Sangeechuramudayar Temple, which later became known as Sangameswarar Temple.
Moolavar: Sri Sangameswarar
Consort: Sri Akilandeswari
Temple Structure
The temple faces east and has an entrance arch and mandapam. The Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam and Nandi are situated in the open mandapam.
The sanctum consists of the sanctum sanctorum, antarala and arthamandapam. The koshta deities include:
Dakshinamurthy
Lingothbavar
Brahma
Durgai
The prakaram contains several important shrines and sculptures, including 63 Nayanmars, Somaskandar, Sri Akilandeswari, Kannimoola Ganapathy, Neelakandeswarar, Kasi Viswanathar, Visalakshi, Sandikeswarar, Vinayagar with Nagar beneath the Peepal tree, Bhairavar and Navagrahas.
Sri Akilandeswari Shrine
Sri Akilandeswari has a separate sannadhi facing east. The koshta contains Brahmi, Kaumari, Varahi, Vaishnavi and Maheswari.
Between the Shiva and Ambal sannadhis is a separate shrine for Arumugar (Murugan). A Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam and peacock vahana are located in front of the shrine. An elephant vahana is also present. Interestingly, the Moolavar Arumugar is represented as a bas-relief panel rather than a conventional three-dimensional idol.
Architecture
The present temple has been reconstructed in recent times using new stonework, and much of the original temple structure and pillars are no longer preserved.
The reconstructed complex consists of the sanctum, antarala, arthamandapam and an open mukha mandapam. The sanctum has a two-tier Nagara-style vimana over a Pathabhandha adhisthana consisting of Upana and related architectural elements.
Inscriptions and Historical Importance
The temple is particularly significant for its inscriptions. Nine inscriptions associated with the temple were recorded in Covai Mavatta Kalvettukkal, published by the State Archaeological Department in 2006.
The inscriptions indicate that the place was known by several names, including:
Covanputhur Umaparameswari Chathurvedhi Mangalam
Veerakeralanallur
Perur Nattu Covanputhur
Veerakerala Nallur
The presiding Shiva deity was referred to as Veera Chozheeswarar and Covanputhur Sangeechuramudaiyar.
The inscriptions belong to the period of the Kongu Cholas, including Veera Rajendran (1227 and 1230 CE), Vikrama Chola II (1265 CE), Vikrama Chola III (1285 CE) and Veerakeralar Veera Narayanan of the 13th century.
They record various donations to the temple, including land and gold donations, provisions for naivedyam, Thirukarthikai celebrations and evening lamps.
Destruction and Reconstruction
The temple is believed to have been destroyed during the Third Mysore War in 1792 CE and subsequently reconstructed after the Fourth Mysore War (1798–1799 CE).
Some stones from the older temple, including portions of the adhisthana, jagathi and kumudam, were later reused as a pedestal for the 63 Nayanmars. Unfortunately, many of the original inscription-bearing stones and other parts of the old temple have not survived.
Sri Sangameswarar Temple therefore stands as an important historical and religious monument in central Coimbatore, preserving memories of the Kongu Chola period, the ancient name Covanputhur, and the city's changing history over many centuries.
The area is known as Kottaimedu, meaning “fort mound.” It is believed that a fort once existed here during the period of Tipu Sultan, although no visible remains of the fort survive today.
History and Name
One tradition connects the origin of Coimbatore's name with Covanputhur (கோவன்புத்தூர்), named after an Irula ruler called Covan, who is said to have ruled the region known as Perur Nadu.
According to local tradition, the area was once covered with Sangu flower plants or creepers. After these were cleared, the temple was established, and the shrine came to be known as Sangeechuramudayar Temple, which later became known as Sangameswarar Temple.
Moolavar: Sri Sangameswarar
Consort: Sri Akilandeswari
Temple Structure
The temple faces east and has an entrance arch and mandapam. The Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam and Nandi are situated in the open mandapam.
The sanctum consists of the sanctum sanctorum, antarala and arthamandapam. The koshta deities include:
Dakshinamurthy
Lingothbavar
Brahma
Durgai
The prakaram contains several important shrines and sculptures, including 63 Nayanmars, Somaskandar, Sri Akilandeswari, Kannimoola Ganapathy, Neelakandeswarar, Kasi Viswanathar, Visalakshi, Sandikeswarar, Vinayagar with Nagar beneath the Peepal tree, Bhairavar and Navagrahas.
Sri Akilandeswari Shrine
Sri Akilandeswari has a separate sannadhi facing east. The koshta contains Brahmi, Kaumari, Varahi, Vaishnavi and Maheswari.
Between the Shiva and Ambal sannadhis is a separate shrine for Arumugar (Murugan). A Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam and peacock vahana are located in front of the shrine. An elephant vahana is also present. Interestingly, the Moolavar Arumugar is represented as a bas-relief panel rather than a conventional three-dimensional idol.
Architecture
The present temple has been reconstructed in recent times using new stonework, and much of the original temple structure and pillars are no longer preserved.
The reconstructed complex consists of the sanctum, antarala, arthamandapam and an open mukha mandapam. The sanctum has a two-tier Nagara-style vimana over a Pathabhandha adhisthana consisting of Upana and related architectural elements.
Inscriptions and Historical Importance
The temple is particularly significant for its inscriptions. Nine inscriptions associated with the temple were recorded in Covai Mavatta Kalvettukkal, published by the State Archaeological Department in 2006.
The inscriptions indicate that the place was known by several names, including:
Covanputhur Umaparameswari Chathurvedhi Mangalam
Veerakeralanallur
Perur Nattu Covanputhur
Veerakerala Nallur
The presiding Shiva deity was referred to as Veera Chozheeswarar and Covanputhur Sangeechuramudaiyar.
The inscriptions belong to the period of the Kongu Cholas, including Veera Rajendran (1227 and 1230 CE), Vikrama Chola II (1265 CE), Vikrama Chola III (1285 CE) and Veerakeralar Veera Narayanan of the 13th century.
They record various donations to the temple, including land and gold donations, provisions for naivedyam, Thirukarthikai celebrations and evening lamps.
Destruction and Reconstruction
The temple is believed to have been destroyed during the Third Mysore War in 1792 CE and subsequently reconstructed after the Fourth Mysore War (1798–1799 CE).
Some stones from the older temple, including portions of the adhisthana, jagathi and kumudam, were later reused as a pedestal for the 63 Nayanmars. Unfortunately, many of the original inscription-bearing stones and other parts of the old temple have not survived.
Sri Sangameswarar Temple therefore stands as an important historical and religious monument in central Coimbatore, preserving memories of the Kongu Chola period, the ancient name Covanputhur, and the city's changing history over many centuries.