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Sri Choleeswarar Temple, Arcot Kuppam, Thiruvallur District, Tamil Nadu

Arcotkuppam is a village in Thiruttani Taluk of Thiruvallur District. The full name of the Temple is Sri Kamatchi Amman Udanurai Choleeswarar Temple and it is located close to the Highway on Chennai to Thiruttani. It is said that Sri Soleeshwarar Temple is an ancient Temple built around 1100 years ago. Sri Soleeswarar Temple does not have any Rajagopuram. The Temple is actually East facing but it has entrances on all the four directions. The entrance on the Southern side is bigger and is seen with a Gopuram in which a Shiva Lingam is seen in the centre with coloured Idols of Sri Vinayagar and Sri Murugan flanking this Shiva Lingam. The Ambal is seen hugging the Shiva Lingam found in the Gopuram.

On entering the Temple there is a huge multi pillared Mandapam. This Temple does not have any Dwajasthambam but instead there is a Neivedhya Peedam or Bali Peedam and a Nandhi Vaahanam beneath a four pillared Mandapam and this Nandhi Vaahanam is West facing and looking towards the Moolasthanam through a gaping hole. Devotees cannot enter the Moolasthanam through this way. Instead there is a parellel entrance to the Moolasthanam where Sri Kubera Lingam could be seen East facing. It is said that Sri Kuberan had lost all His Wealth and in order to regain it He had come to this Temple and Prayed before Sri Choleeswarar. Beyond this is the East facing Moolasthanam of the Presiding Deity. There are two black Dwara Baalakas standing guard on either side of the Moolasthanam. In the Sanctum Sanctorum Sri Choleeswarar who is seen in the form of a Shiva Lingam looks resplendent in the naturally lit oil lamp. The Powers of Sri Choleeswarar is said to be immense and skyhigh. It is said that Devas and Asuras including that of Sri Ravanan had come here aerially and had Bowed and Prayed before Sri Soleeswarar. Surya Bhagwan is kind enough to enter as Sun Rays and fall at the feet of Sri Choleeswarar on Tamil Panguni Month 1st, 2nd and 3rd. It is worthwhile to mention that an Idol of Sri Maha Vishnu is seen West facing looking towards the Moolasthanam. The History behing this is there was an ideological rift between Maha Vishnu and His Consort Mahalakshmi. That time Mahalakshmi took the form of a Vilva Maram and showered the Viva Leaves on the Presiding Deity of Sri Choleeswarar. Immensely pleased with this Sri Choleeswarar effected a compromise between Maha Vishnu and Mahalakshmi and that is the reason why the Idol of Maha Vishnu is seen looking towards the Moolavar Sri Choleeswarar. Devotees can circumambulate the Moolavar Sannadhi from within. There is a South facing Chandikeshwarar Idol and a North facing Durgai Amman Idol around the Koshtam. The Consort of this Sthalam is Sri Kamakshi Ambal who is seen in Her Shrine. Sri Kamakshi Amman is seen in a standing posture facing South. There are two black Dwara Baalakis standing guard before Her Shrine. This Shrine of Ambal attains importance since it is said that Kanchi Sri Maha Periyava had come to this Temple and had offered Prayers before Her.

The outer peripheral of the Temple has a South facing Sub Shrine of Sri Yoga Dhakshinamoorthy. There is an East facing Sub Shrine of Sri Varasiddhi Vinayagar and He is a much sought after God here by everyone. There is a small Neivedhya Peedam and a Moonjur Vaahanam facing the Sub Shrine of Sri Varasiddhi Vinayagar. Likewise there is another East facing Sub Shrine of Sri Subramaniyar who is seen flanked by Sri Valli and Sri Devasena. Facing this Sub Shrine is a Neivedhya Peedam and a Peacock or Mayil Vaahanam. The Temple's outer peripheral has a South facing Sub Shrine of Sri Kaala Bhairavar and close to this is the Navagraha Sannadhi. The Temple has East facing Idols of Naga Devathas. There is a West facing Sub Shrine for Sri Venkatesa Perumal who is seen flanked by His Consorts Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi. Standing guard before the Sub Shrine of Sri Venkatesa Perumal are two Elephant Idols. Facing this Sub Shrine is a small Garudalwar Idol beneath a four pillared Mandapam. The Temple also has an East facing Sri Puthu Ammam in which an Anthill with an Amman Mugam is seen and close to this is an Idol of Naga Devatha. The Temple's Surya Bhagwan Sannadhi is seen in the outer peripheral West facing. Sri Rama Baktha Anjaneyar is seen in His North facing Sub Shrine. The Sthala Viruksham of this Temple is a Vilva Maram. There is an Annadhana Koodam and daily Meals as Annadhanam is brought and fed from the Thiruttani Devasthanam under whom this Temple functions. Vinayagar Chathurthi, Aippasi Annabishegam, Arudhra Dharisanam, Masi Magam, Pradhosham, Navarathri, Maha Shivarathiri, Sankadahara Chathurthi, Kirthikai, Shasti are some of the festivals are celebrated in a grand manner. This Temple is considered as a Navagraha Dosha Parihaara Sthalam. Similarly many Devotees come to this Temple to regain their lost Wealth.

Contact Details: 96299 93080 and 90252 74827

Temple Timing: 7 AM to 12 Noon and 4 PM to 7 PM

Distance from Thiruttani to Arcot Kuppam is 14 Kms

Distance from Thiruvallur to Arcot Kuppam is 28 Kms

Distance from Melpadi to Arcot Kuppam is 64 Kms

Distance from Thiruvalam to Arcot Kuppam is 75 Kms

Distance from Perambakkam to Arcot Kuppam is 37 Kms

Distance from Thiruvalangadu to Arcot Kuppam is 16 Kms

Distance from Poondi to Arcot Kuppam is 25 Kms

Distance from Nambakkam to Arcot Kuppam is 26 Kms

Distance from Mappedu to Arcot Kuppam is 40 Kms

Distance from Thakkolam to Arcot Kuppam is 30 Kms