Chandra Choodeswarar Temple, Hosur

The Chandra Choodeswarar Temple is an ancient Shiva temple located on a rocky hill in the town of Hosur, Krishnagiri District, Tamil Nadu.

Due to variations in the local languages (Tamil, Kannada, Telugu) and dialects, the temple is also referred to as 'Chandira Choodeshwarar', 'Chandra Choodeshwara', 'Chandra Choodeshwar', 'Shri Choodeswarar' or 'Arulmigu ChandraChoodeshwarar'.

The main deities of the temple are Shiva, depicted as the Shiva linga and the Goddess Parvati, depicted as 'Maragathambal'.

Names of the main deities

'Chandra Choodeswarar' means the Eshwara who wears the Moon (Chandra) as an ornament on his crest or tuft of hair on top of the head.

Shiva's consort Parvathi is worshiped here as Maragathambal. ‘Maragatham’ means green and ‘Ambal’ means mother. This is in reference to the green plants and trees (Photosynthesis), which provide sustenance to all living beings.

Temple history

The exact history of the temple is not clearly documented. Considering that the Hosur region is mentioned in ancient Hindu texts like the 'Padmagiri Mahathyamam', a part of 'Bramanda Puranam', a shrine for Shiva is deemed to have existed here from ancient times.

The Chandra choodeshwara Temple structure was built by the Hoysala king, Thirupuvanamalla Barvatharaja Anthiyazhvar, in the year 1260.

The temple was renovated by Azhakiya Perumal Aathimoolam. 'Padmagiri Mahathyamam', a part of 'Bramanda Puranam' talks about the popularity of Hosur.

In popular culture

The Chandra Choodeshwarar Temple has been the subject of documentary in an episode of TV9's series Heegu Unte in 2013.

References

• Bangalore Press website

Coordinates: 12°43′33″N 77°50′11″E / 12.7257938°N 77.8363817°E / 12.7257938; 77.8363817