Jalanatheswarar Temple | 17 Mar 2025

Source: TH 

The Jalanatheswarar temple at Thakkolam in Ranipet district, Tamil Nadu is in a deteriorating state.  

• The temple is neglected, with a collapsed wall and an overgrown tank. Its last kumbabishekam (consecration) was over 15 years ago. 

Jalanatheswarar Temple: 

• The temple was originally built in 876 AD by Pallava King Aparajitha Varman, while the 3-tiered Rajagopuram was added in 1543 AD by Vijayanagara King Veera Prathaba Sadasiva Maharayar. 
• It is situated on the banks of Kosasthalai river. It holds the inscriptions and records from Pallava king Aparajita and Chola King Aditya I, detailing grants of land, gold, and goats. 
• The temple showcases Dravidian-style of architecture, similar to the Brihadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur and the Meenakshi Temple in Madurai. 
• The 1.5-acre temple features a 3-tiered gopuram, granite walls, and a sand-based Prithvi Lingam (Theenda Thirumeni) of Lord Shiva (as Lord Jalantheeswarar). 
• The temple is one of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams, glorified in the Tevaram hymns by Tamil Saivite Nayanar Sambandar. 
  • Sambandar was a 7th-century Saiva poet-saint from Tamil Nadu, who composed 16,000 hymns, with 383 (or 384) surviving in Tamil Shaiva tradition.