79. PERAMBAKKAM

CHOLEESWARAR TEMPLE

Distance: 16kms from Thiruvallur

Shiva: Choleeswarar

Ambaal: Kamakshi.

Sthala Viruksham: Vilava Tree. 

Theertham: Coovam theertham

Speciality:

Choleeswarar offers mental comfort to the followers. 

The temple is situated in the north eastern part of Perambakkam. 

The Shiva linga is about 3 ft tall including the Aavudaiyar. 

During the Milk Abhisheka we can see clearly certain nerves on the Linga. 

The temple was built by Kulothunga Chola the first on the banks of the Coovam river in 1112AD. 

There are 14 engraving of the Chola period in this temple. 

The temple came into existence at the time of Kulothunga Chola I. The deity was named after him in his period.

The earlier name for this place was Perumbakkam. 

The Shiva was earlier called Kulothunga Choleeswaramudaiya Mahadevar. 

The Vijayanagara engravings tell us about the Gifts and Gold offered by the Vijayanagara rulers to the temple. 

People who  visit this temple are relieved from Nerval Sickness and are blessed with mental relief.  

This temple is in the Eesanya Moolai of the Village.

There is a Kaasi Viswanadhar Sannidhi in this temple. There was an Ashta Sidhdhi Lingaeswarar temple very close to Choleeswarar temple in early days. The temple was destroyed and the Linga was protected and placed under the ground in the banks of the River Coovam. When the Choleeswarar temple was reconstructed this Linga was found nearby. The linga was installed in the campus of the Choleeswarar temple. 
Since the name is unknown the villagers have named it as Kaasi Viswanadhar.

During the Chola period here in plenty. They recited Vedic Hymns in the temple. Kulothunga Chola gave Perambakkam as Devadhana and free of taxes to Brahmins. 

The Administration of the village affairs was dealt by Nyayadharargal who were the donors of several endowments to the temple.

On the Kanumpongal day the function Koovam Aatru Thiruvizha is conducted. All the Urchavar Murthies from Koovam, Ilambayankottur, Narasingapuram, Sivapuram, Kaarambakkam. Sitrambakkam, Sirumanavur, Kottoor and many other places finally assemble in Perambakkam and the function concludes with the Urchava Murthy here.

Inscriptions:

Inscriptions on the south wall is of Kesari Varman or Chakravarthi Kulothunga I about the gift of the village Perambakkam then called Irattapadi Konda Chola Nallur in Pasalinaadu of Manavur Kottam as Devadhana. This was given free of taxes to the temple of Choleeswarar which was then called Kulothunga Choleeswara Mudaiyar by Pagaiyaruttu Konda Cholar Velaikarar.

A gift of Money for lighting lamps was given by Kuttadi Thakkaraisan Telungarayan. This has been recorded in the tiers of the west wall during the Period of Kulothunga I.

One the tiers of the east and the south walls of the main Shrine there are 3 inscriptions of Thirubhuvana Chakravarthi, Thiribhuvana Veera Deva Kulothunga Chola III. The first inscription is about the donation in money by a lady to the deity. The second inscription is about the gift of lamps by Sankaranthi Pallavarayan a member of the Miyayam of Perumbakkam. The third is about the gift of money for burning the lamps by another member of Miyayam of Perumbakkam.

There are 3 inscriptions of Rajaraja Deva III. The first is about the gift of money for oil for lamps by Arumbanayakka Pallavarayan. The second inscription is about a grant by Nyayathar of the village free of taxes of 3 Velis of Land in Anaikattaputhur. The third is about Thirumudi Chola Pallavarayan Udaiyaa Pillai, one of the Nyayadharar of the village, donated 3 Kasus for expenses of burning Lamps.