Kundankuzhi Mahadevar Temple, Madagadipattu, Puducherry

Kundankuzhi Mahadevar Temple, Madagadipattu, Puducherry

Kundankuzhi Mahadevar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Madagadipattu in the Union Territory of Puducherry. The Temple is also called as Thiru Kundankuli Mahadevar Temple or Thirukundankudi Mahadeva Temple. This place was called as Thirubhuvanai Mahadevi Chaturvedimangalam during Chola period. Now it is called as Madagadipattu. This Temple was built by Chola Emperor Rajaraja Chola I. The Temple is under the control Archeological Survey of India. As per the name board of ASI, the temple is called as Thirukunthankudi Mahadevar Temple.

The Temple

The Temple is small and the temple complex consists of Mukha Mandapam, Sanctum Sanctorum, Mother Shrine, a Saptamatrika Shrine and a small Shrine without deity. The temple is facing west without Dwajasthambam, entrance arch or Rajagopuram. Nandhi is found facing the sanctum and the Nandhi might belong to later period. Presiding Deity is called as Thiru Kundankuli Mahadevar / Thirukunthankudi Mahadevar / Kundankuzhi Mahadevar.

Lord Shiva is represented by Lingam. He is without Avudayar. Vimana of this temple is of single tier Vesara type. The entire temple is built with granite stones. There are no niche idols in this temple. As all the niche idols, Vinayagar, Dhakshinamoorthy, Lingothbavar and Brahma has been located in Puducherry Government Museum for safety reasons.

Sculptures of Brahma, Vishnu, Dhakshinamoorthy and Subramaniyar can be found the Vimanam. Mother is called as Akilandeswari. She is housed in separate south facing shrine. Both Sanctum and Mother Shrine are built with stone including Vimanam and Kalasams (similar to the Melpadi Arinjaya Chola’s Pallipadai Temple).

Inscriptions

As per the inscription the temple was built by Rajaraja Chola-I (985 AD – 1016 AD) by the person called Puripattan.  The Temple also has inscriptions dating back to the period of Rajendra Chola – I, Rajadhiraja Chola – I, Kulothunga Chola – I. As per the inscription, Lord Shiva of this Temple was called as Tirukundankuzi Chery Ozhukarai Mahadevar. This Place was called as Thirubhuvana Mahadevi Chathurvedhi Mangalam. 

Temple Opening Time

The Temple remains open from 07.00 AM to 09.00 AM and 05.00 PM to 07.00 PM.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 500 meters from Madagadipet Bus Stand, 2 Kms from Thirubhuvanai, 4 Kms from Thiruvandarkoil, 15 Kms from Villianur, 6 Kms from Chinna Babu Samudram Railway Station, 23 Kms from Puducherry Main Bus Stand, 24 Kms from Puducherry Railway Station, 26 Kms from Puducherry Airport, 15 Kms from Villianur Railway Station, 17 Kms from Villupuram, 16 Kms from Villupuram Railway Station, 158 Kms from Chennai Airport and 177 Kms from Chennai. The temple is located on the Puducherry – Villupuram highway. Bus facilities are available from both ends. Buses are available for every 10 minutes from Puducherry Main Bus Stand and Villupuram Bus Stand.

From Pondicherry, take the Villupuram bound Bus and get down at Madagadipet Bus Stop. The Temple is located at a walkable distance from this Bus Stop to reach this Temple. There are several private buses are runs daily basis from Madagadipet to Pondicherry. The Pondicherry Road Transport Corporation and The Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation operates bus services from Pondicherry to Villupuram via Madagadipet. Nearest Railway Station is located at Chinna Babu Samudram, Villianur and Puducherry. Nearest Airport is located at Puducherry and Chennai.

Location | Photos