Chandrachoodeswarar Temple

Chandrachoodeswarar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located atop a hillock in Hosur, Krishnagiri District, Tamil Nadu. The temple is known as Chandra Choodeswarar, where Shiva is worshipped as the one adorned with the crescent moon. Perched at an elevation offering panoramic views of Hosur town, it features Dravidian architecture with a gopuram, mandapas and stone inscriptions. It is a prominent religious and cultural landmark for devotees and visitors in the region.

Visitors can expect a hilltop temple complex reached by a flight of stone steps and a motorable ghat road. The complex includes the main sanctum for Lord Shiva, shrines for Goddess Maragathavalli and other deities, a pillared mandapa and gopuram. The hilltop offers wide views of Hosur town and surrounding plains. The atmosphere is devotional with daily pujas, and visitors can observe traditional rituals, architecture and inscriptions while exploring the courtyard and outer precincts.

Believed to have origins in the Chola period around the 10th-11th century, with later contributions and renovations attributed to Hoysala and Vijayanagara rulers. The temple exhibits Dravidian architectural elements and contains Tamil stone inscriptions recording endowments and renovations over centuries. It has served as an important Shaivite centre in the Hosur region.

Dedicated to Lord Shiva as Chandrachoodeswarar, the bearer of the crescent moon, and Goddess Maragathavalli. Associated with the legend of Chandra (the moon god) worshipping Shiva to be relieved of a curse. It is a significant centre for Shaivite worship, especially during Maha Shivaratri, Pradosham and Karthigai Deepam, drawing devotees from Tamil Nadu and neighbouring Karnataka.