Jalantheeswarar Temple

11.03.2025

Jalantheeswarar Temple

Why in the news?                        

The Jalanatheswarar temple at Thakkolam in Ranipet district, a treasure trove of Tamil history, particularly the reign of Cholas, is in bad shape.

About Jalantheeswarar Temple:

•  Jalantheeswarar Temple (also known as Thiruvooral) is an ancient Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, situated in Thakkolam village of Ranipet district, Tamil Nadu.
• The presiding deity is Lord Shiva worshipped as Jalantheeswarar, represented by a lingam made of sand (prithvi lingam), known as Theenda Thirumeni.
• The original temple complex was constructed by Pallavas and later expanded by Cholas. The present masonry structure dates back to the Nayak period in the 16th century.
•  The temple complex spans approximately 1.5 acres, featuring a three-tiered gopuram (gateway tower) and concentric granite walls. The main sanctum houses the deity Jalantheeswarar in the form of a lingam made of sand.
• It is one of the shrines of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams - Shiva Sthalams glorified in the early medieval Tevaram poems by Tamil Saivite Nayanars Sambandar.

Sambandar:

• Thirugnana Sambandar, also known as Sambandar, was a 7th-century CE Saiva poet-saint from Tamil Nadu and a contemporary of Appar.
• As per Tamil Shaiva tradition, he composed 16,000 hymns in intricate meters, of which 383 (or 384) hymns with 4,181 stanzas have survived.

                                                                Source: The Hindu

Jalantheeswarar Temple is located in which one of the following states?

A.Kerala

B.Andhra Pradesh

C.Tamil Nadu

D.Odisha

Answer C