Dharisanam ENதமிழ்
A tall flagstaff in a courtyard before a pillared hall and a domed sanctum tower; a woman stands at lower right.
Swayambu

Thiru Kottaru Sri Iravadeswarar Temple 53rd of 129 on the south bank of the Kaveri · Chola Nadu · Temples near Mayiladuthurai

Darshan today8:00 am – 11:30 am, 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Moolavar
Iraavadeswarar
Ambal
Vandamar Poonguzhali Ammai, Sugantha Kunthalambigai
Theertham
Surya Theertham and river Vaanchiyaru
Sthala vriksham
Parijatha tree / Vilwam tree
Pathigam by
Thirugnanasambanthar

Temple

Visited on: September 4, 2017

Location

Thirukkottaram is situated near village Velangudi on the Kumbakonam to Karaikkal route (via Nedungadu). From Karaikkal, this place is at a distance of about 12 kms.

In Velangudi, there is a cross road with an entrance arch on the main road which leads to the temple. The temple is one kilometre away from this arch.

Other Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams near this temple are – Thirumiyachur, Thirumiyachur Ilamkoil, Thilathaipathy, Thiru Anniyur, Thiruppampuram, Serukudi, Thiruvizhimizhalai, Ambal Maakalam and Ambar Perunthirukkoil.

General Information

Moolavar
Sri Iraavadeswarar
Ambal
Sri Vandamar Poonguzhali Ammai, Sri Sugantha Kunthalambigai
Theertham (Holy water)
Surya Theertham and river Vaanchiyaru
Sthala Vriksham (Sacred Tree)
Parijatha tree / Vilwam tree
Pathigam (Hymn) rendered by
Saint Thirugnanasambanthar
  • This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 53rd Shiva Sthalam on the Southern bank of the river Cauveri in Chozha Nadu (Thenkarai).
  • Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested).
  • This east facing temple has a 3-tiered main tower (Rajagopuram) and it has a single corridor.
  • The last consecration ceremony (Kumbabishekam) took place in the year 2009. Prior to that it was held in 1987 and 1937.

History of the Temple

This ancient temple is situated on the banks of river Vaanchiyaru. As per the stone inscriptions available here, this temple was built by the Chola King Kulothungan and the lord’s name is mentioned as “Rajendra Chozheeswaramudaiya Mahadevar”.

This temple is now under the administrative control of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HRCE) Board of Tamil Nadu Government. However, the temple is not being maintained properly and is in a bad state. It is sad to see that the main tower as well as the towers in the sanctum are covered with a lot of weeds and plants. Even the grounds in the corridors are full of shrubs.

A weathered arch with a board on its left spans a red earth road lined with trees.
A coloured tower with a blue base rises above a gateway, with trees on both sides and a plastered wall to the left.
A tall leafy tree grows behind a yellow compound wall, with a flowering shrub in front.

Legend

The legend associated with this temple is that once Iraavadam, the white elephant of Lord Indhra, disrespected Sage Dhurvasar. One day, after finishing his daily worship in Kasi, Sage Dhurvasar met Lord Indra who was coming in his ceremonial procession. Sage Dhurvasar offered him a lotus flower which had been adorned on the lord. Without giving any respect, Indra took the flower and placed it on his white elephant which the elephant then removed and threw on the ground. The sage was angered by this and cursed the elephant to become an ordinary wild elephant. To seek relief from this curse, Iraavadam visited many Shiva temples.

Kottaram is one such place that Iraavadam visited. It is believed that he created the river “Kottaru” by striking the clouds with his tusk and making the rain pour down. It is believed that he worshiped the lord with water from this river. (“Kotu” means tusk and “Aru” means river in Tamil). Hence this place gets the name Kottaru and the lord is praised as “Sri Iraavadeswarar”. This river is also known as Vanchiyaru.

After worshiping Lord Shiva at many places, it is believed that Iraavadam was finally relieved of the curse at the Sri Sundareswarar temple in Madurai.

An open pillared hall with two painted figures on blue panels and a small shrine at the left.

Another legend associated with this temple is that of a sage called Subhaka Maharishi. He used to visit this temple daily to worship Lord Shiva. One day he was late and by the time he reached the temple, the door was closed. It is believed that he took the form of a honey bee and entered into the temple. He worshiped the lord and stayed back there itself. It is believed that since then a beehive remains in this temple’s sanctum wall. The idol of Sage Subhaka Maharishi can be seen in the corridor.

It is believed that apart from Iraavadam, the lord of this temple has been worshiped by Lord Indra, Sage Agasthiyar and Sage Subhaka Maharishi.

Deities in the temple

Lords Bala Vinayakar, Murugan with his consorts, Dakshinamurthy, Brahma, Vishnu, Saint Thirugnanasambanthar, Saint Appar, Saint Sundaramurthy Nayanar with Paravai Nachiyar, Sarba Rajan (Nagar), Agasthiyeswarar, Subhaka Maharishi, Kailasanathar, Mahalakshmi, Durgai, Chandikeswarar, Bairavar, Suryan, Chandran and Navagraham can be seen in the corridors. In this temple, there are two “Pali Pedam”, one in front of the Nandhi and the other one behind it.

There is a separate shrine for Lord Kumara Bhuvaneswarar. This west facing Shivlingam is believed to have been worshiped by Sage Agasthiyar, Sage Subhaka Maharishi and Kumarabhuvana Thevar.

All the procession idols of this temple are kept in a safe at some other location.

A flagstaff stands between a small yellow shrine and a pillared hall with painted figures.
A painted seated goddess above a doorway; beyond it a hall leads to a lit, grilled sanctum entrance.
A tall flagstaff in a courtyard before a pillared hall and a domed sanctum tower; a woman stands at lower right.
A small pillared shrine with a seated four-armed figure in a niche above and a dark inner doorway.
A coloured domed shrine tower in a courtyard beside a small shrine and a long tin-roofed shed.
A grassy courtyard with shrubs, a domed sanctum tower, a gopuram behind and a water tank at right.

Salient Features

It is said that every year honey would be taken out from the beehive in the sanctum and “abhishekam” would be performed using it. However, this beehive is not there now.

In his hymn of this temple, Saint Thirugnanasambanthar mentioned about the elephant Iraavatham’s worship and the river that he created.

Greatness of this temple

It is believed that those seeking wedding boon can pray to the lord here.

Devotees also worship Lord Shiva of this temple for prosperity and wisdom.

Important Festivals

The important festivals celebrated in this temple are –

Visaakam in the Tamil month of Vaikaasi (May-June) and

Thiruvadhirai in the Tamil month of Markazhi (Dec-Jan).

Pradosham is also observed regularly.

Temple Timings

From 08.00 AM to 11.30 AM and 05.30 PM to 08.30 PM.

Temple Address

Sri Iravadeswarar Temple,
Thirukkottaram Post,
Nedungadu Via,
Nannilam Taluk,
Thiruvarur District
Tamil Nadu – 609603.
Tele: +91 - 4368 - 261 447.

As pooja is only performed here once a day, devotees can contact the temple priests’ Sri Sriram Gurukkal at 8903888174 or Sri Maadhu Gurukkal at 7502212319, before planning a visit.

*
Open the map →
NavigateGet directions in Google Maps
Today8:00 am – 11:30 am, 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Phone+91 - 4368 - 261 447
A wide view of a grassy courtyard with a domed sanctum tower, small shrines and the gopuram in the distance.
A tall coloured gopuram rises behind pillared halls and a domed tower; a flagstaff stands in front.
A long open corridor of white arches and pillars, with domed shrine tops rising behind it.
The side of a yellow sanctum wall with pillars under a coloured tower, and a small bell tower to the right.

Highlights

What makes this temple special

* Cards drawn from the temple write-up and photographs. “Read more” takes you to the full passage.

Greatness

Greatness of this temple

Devotees pray here for a wedding boon, prosperity and wisdom, and the lord is linked with the river Kottaru.

  1. A wedding boonThose seeking a wedding boon can pray to the lord here.
  2. Prosperity and wisdomDevotees also worship Lord Shiva of this temple for prosperity and wisdom.
  3. Honey for the abhishekamIt is said that honey from the beehive in the sanctum was taken out every year for the abhishekam.
  4. A river made by an elephantIt is believed that Iraavadam created the river Kottaru and worshiped the lord with its water.
Significance

Its place in the tradition

A Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam on the southern bank of the Cauveri, sung by Saint Thirugnanasambanthar.

  1. A Paadal Petra sthalamThis is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams.
  2. The hymn of ThirugnanasambantharIn his hymn the saint mentioned the elephant Iraavatham's worship and the river that he created.
  3. Built by a Chola kingAs per the stone inscriptions, this temple was built by the Chola King Kulothungan.
  4. The legend of IraavadamIraavadam is believed to have visited many Shiva temples to seek relief from a curse, and Kottaram is one of them.
Why devotees come

Why devotees come here

Devotees come with prayers for marriage, prosperity and wisdom.

  1. For marriage: pray to the lordThose seeking a wedding boon can pray to the lord here.
  2. For prosperity and wisdom: worship Lord ShivaDevotees also worship Lord Shiva of this temple for prosperity and wisdom.
  3. For Pradosham: regular observancePradosham is also observed regularly.
The temple courtyard with the flagstaff and the sanctum tower
276Devara Paadal Petra Sthalams

Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams

The name Kottaru

  1. கோடுtusk
  2. ஆறுriver

The place is named after the river Kottaru, created by Iraavadam with his tusk.

Rajendra Chozheeswaramudaiya Mahadevar

    Legends of this place

    Sage Dhurvasar cursed the elephant to become an ordinary wild elephant after it disrespected him.

    Iraavadam is believed to have created the river by striking the clouds with his tusk.

    Iraavadam was finally relieved of the curse at the Sri Sundareswarar temple in Madurai.

    The sage took the form of a honey bee and entered the temple after the door was closed.

    What devotees pray for

    • A wedding boonThose seeking a wedding boon can pray to the lord here.
    • Prosperity and wisdomDevotees also worship Lord Shiva of this temple for prosperity and wisdom.

    A wedding boon, prosperity and wisdom.

    Festivals through the year

      Visaakam in Vaikaasi and Thiruvadhirai in Markazhi are celebrated, and Pradosham is observed regularly.

      Deities

      The deities of this temple

      * Drawn from the temple write-up and photographs. Where there is no photograph, the card shows the name.

      From the sanctum to the corridors
      Moolavarஐ
      Moolavar

      Sri Iraavadeswarar

      Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested).

      Ambalவ
      Ambal

      Sri Vandamar Poonguzhali Ammai

      Ambal is Sri Vandamar Poonguzhali Ammai, also called Sri Sugantha Kunthalambigai.

      Shrine in the corridorகு
      Shrine in the corridor

      Lord Kumara Bhuvaneswarar

      There is a separate shrine for Lord Kumara Bhuvaneswarar. This west facing Shivlingam is believed to have been worshiped by Sage Agasthiyar, Sage Subhaka Maharishi and Kumarabhuvana Thevar.

      Shrine in the corridorசு
      Shrine in the corridor

      Sage Subhaka Maharishi

      The idol of Sage Subhaka Maharishi can be seen in the corridor.

      Visit & map

      Sacred geography
      Thiru Kottaru Thirunallaru Thirumiyachur Thirumiyachur Ilangkovil Thiru Pugalur Thirupugalur Vardhamanecharam Dharumapuram Thiruthelichery, Karaikkal Thirumarugal Ramanadeecharam Thiru Thilathaipathi Thiruppampuram Thiru Parialur
      You are hereThis temple

      Schematic. Distances as recorded on the visit; directions approximate.

      12a6a12p6p
      Darshan today8:00 am – 11:30 am, 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
      8:00 – 11:305:30 – 8:30 pm

      Hours as recorded on the visit. Festival days can differ.

      Plan the day around it

      Address and phone

      Sri Iravadeswarar Temple, Thirukkottaram Post, Nedungadu Via, Nannilam Taluk, Thiruvarur District, Tamil Nadu – 609603. As pooja is only performed here once a day, devotees can contact the temple priests’ Sri Sriram Gurukkal at 8903888174 or Sri Maadhu Gurukkal at 7502212319, before planning a visit.

      +91 - 4368 - 261 447

      *

      A day of darshan nearby

      5 more sthalams within reach, nearest first: 28 km in straight lines.

      Map of Thiru Kottaru and the sthalams nearby, in route order: Thirunallaru, Dharumapuram, Thiruthelichery, Karaikkal, Thirumarugal, Ramanadeecharam. Thiru Pugalur · 10.1 km Thirupugalur Vardhamanecharam · 10.2 km Thiru Kottaru 1 Thirunallaru 2 Dharumapuram 3 Thiruthelichery, Karaikkal 4 Thirumarugal 5 5 km N
      Drawn from coordinates. Straight-line distances; roads are longer. Faint dots are other sthalams within 50 km.

      Temple plan

      A weathered arch with a board on its left spans a red earth road lined with trees.
      01

      The entrance arch

      In Velangudi, there is a cross road with an entrance arch on the main road which leads to the temple. The temple is one kilometre away from this arch.

      1 / 5

      Summary written with AI help from the temple write-up.

      Pathigam

      Saint Thirugnanasambanthar visited this temple and sang this Pathigam.

      Devotees visiting this temple should make it a practice to recite this Pathigam.

      V. Muthukumaraswamy

      Saint Thirugnanasambandar sang this Pathigam at this temple. Verse 1 of 11.

      Karuntha ṭaṅkaṇiṉ mātha rārisai
      seyyak kārathir kiṉtṟa pūmpozhiṟ
      kuruntha māthaviyiṉ viraimalku kōṭṭātṟil
      iruntha emperu māṉai yuḷki
      iṇaiyaṭi thozhu thēththum māntharkaḷ
      varunthu māṟaṟiyār neṟisērvar vāṉūdē

      At Kottaru, in flowering groves rich with the fragrance of kurundam and madhavi blossoms, the great Lord dwells. People who meditate on him and worship and praise his twin feet will not know suffering and will reach the path of heaven.

      Tap any Tamil word for its meaning

      Verse text and transliteration as given in the write-up. Word meanings and the English meaning are AI-assisted drafts.

      All eleven verses

      1. 01

        கருந்த டங்கணின் மாத ராரிசைசெய்யக் காரதிர் கின்ற பூம்பொழிற்குருந்த மாதவியின் விரைமல்கு கோட்டாற்றில்இருந்த எம்பெரு மானை யுள்கிஇணையடி தொழு தேத்தும் மாந்தர்கள்வருந்து மாறறியார் நெறிசேர்வர் வானூடே

        Karuntha ṭaṅkaṇiṉ mātha rārisai / seyyak kārathir kiṉtṟa pūmpozhiṟ / kuruntha māthaviyiṉ viraimalku kōṭṭātṟil / iruntha emperu māṉai yuḷki / iṇaiyaṭi thozhu thēththum māntharkaḷ / varunthu māṟaṟiyār neṟisērvar vāṉūdē

      2. 02

        நின்று மேய்ந்து நினைந்து மாகரிநீரொ டும்மலர் வேண்டி வான்மழைகுன்றின் நேர்ந்துகுத்திப் பணிசெய்யுங் கோட்டாற்றுள்என்றும் மன்னிய எம்பி ரான்கழல்ஏத்தி வானர சாள வல்லவர்பொன்று மாறறியார் புகழார்ந்த புண்ணியரே

        Niṉtṟu mēynthu niṉainthu mākari / nīro ṭum'malar vēṇṭi vāṉmazhai / kuṉtṟiṉ nērnthukuththip paṇiseyyuṅ kōṭṭātṟuḷ / eṉtṟum maṉṉiya empi rāṉkazhal / ēththi vāṉara sāḷa vallavar / poṉtṟu māṟaṟiyār pukazhārntha puṇṇiyarē

      3. 03

        விரவி நாளும் விழாவி டைப்பொலிதொண்டர் வந்து வியந்து பண்செயக்குரவ மாரும்நீழற் பொழில்மல்கு கோட்டாற்றில்அரவ நீள்சடை யானை யுள்கிநின்றாத ரித்துமுன் அன்பு செய்தடிபரவுமாறு வல்லார் பழிபற் றறுப்பாரே

        Viravi nāḷum vizhāvi ṭaippoli / thoṇṭar vanthu viyanthu paṇseyak / kurava mārumnīzhaṟ pozhilmalku kōṭṭātṟil / arava nīḷsaṭai yāṉai yuḷkiniṉ / tṟātha riththumuṉ aṉpu seythaṭi / paravumāṟu vallār pazhipat ṟaṟuppārē

      4. 04

        அம்பின் நேர்விழி மங்கை மார்பலர்ஆட கம்பெறு மாட மாளிகைக்கொம்பி னேர்துகி லின்கொடியாடு கோட்டாற்றில்நம்ப னேநட னேந லந்திகழ்நாதனே யென்று காதல் செய்தவர்தம்பின் நேர்ந்தறியார் தடுமாற்ற வல்வினையே

        Ampiṉ nērvizhi maṅkai mārpalar / āṭa kampeṟu māṭa māḷikaik / kompi ṉērthuki liṉkoṭiyāṭu kōṭṭātṟil / nampa ṉēnaṭa ṉēna lanthikaḻzh / nāthaṉē yeṉtṟu kāthal seythavar / thampiṉ nērnthaṟiyār thaṭumātṟa valviṉaiyē

      5. 05

        பழைய தம்மடி யார்து திசெயப்பாரு ளோர்களும் விண்ணு ளோர்தொழக்குழலும் மொந்தை விழாவொலி செய்யுங் கோட்டாற்றில்கழலும் வண்சிலம் பும்மொ லிசெயக்கானி டைக்கண மேத்த ஆடியஅழக னென்றெழுவா ரணியாவர் வானவர்க்கே

        Pazhaiya tham'maṭi yārthu thiseyap / pāru ḷōrkaḷum viṇṇu ḷōrthozhak / kuzhalum monthai vizhāvoli seyyuṅ kōṭṭātṟil / kazhalum vaṇsilam pum'mo liseyak / kāṉi ṭaikkaṇa mēththa āṭiya / azhaka ṉeṉtṟezhuvā raṇiyāvar vāṉavarkkē

      6. 06

        பஞ்சின் மெல்லடி மாத ராடவர்பத்தர் சித்தர்கள் பண்பு வைகலும்கொஞ்சி இன்மொழியாற் தொழில்மல்கு கோட்டாற்றில்மஞ்ச னேமணி யேம ணிமிடற்றண்ண லேயென வுள்நெ கிழ்ந்தவர்துஞ்சு மாறறியார் பிறவார்இத் தொல்நிலத்தே

        Pañchiṉ mellaṭi mātha rāṭavar / paththar siththarkaḷ paṇpu vaikalum / koñchi iṉmozhiyāṟ thozhilmalku kōṭṭātṟil / mañcha ṉēmaṇi yēma ṇimiṭaṟ / tṟaṇṇa lēyeṉa vuḷne kizhnthavar / thuñchu māṟaṟiyār piṟavār'ith tholnilaththē

      7. 07

        கலவ மாமயி லாளொர் பங்கனைக்கண்டு கண்மிசை நீர்நெ கிழ்த்திசைகுலவு மாறுவல்லார் குடிகொண்ட கோட்டாற்றில்நிலவு மாமதி சேர்ச டையுடைநின்ம லாவென வுன்னு வாரவர்உலவு வானவரின் உயர்வாகுவ துண்மையதே

        Kalava māmayi lāḷor paṅkaṉaik / kaṇṭu kaṇmisai nīrne kizhththisai / kulavu māṟuvallār kuṭikoṇṭa kōṭṭātṟil / nilavu māmathi sērsa ṭaiyuṭai / niṉma lāveṉa vuṉṉu vāravar / ulavu vāṉavariṉ uyarvākuva thuṇmaiyathē

      8. 08

        வண்ட லார்வயற் சாலி யாலைவளம்பொ லிந்திட வார்பு னல்திரைகொண்ட லார்கொணர்ந் தங்குலவுந்திகழ் கோட்டாற்றில்தொண்டெ லாந்துதி செய்ய நின்றதொழில னேகழ லால ரக்கனைமிண்டெ லாந்தவிர்த் தென்னுகந்திட்ட வெற்றிமையே

        Vaṇṭa lārvayaṟ sāli yālaiva / ḷampo linthiṭa vārpu ṉalthirai / koṇṭa lārkoṇarn thaṅkulavunthikazh kōṭṭātṟil / thoṇṭe lānthuthi seyya niṉtṟa / thozhila ṉēkazha lāla rakkaṉai / miṇṭe lānthavirth theṉṉukanthiṭṭa vetṟimaiyē

      9. 09

        கருதி வந்தடி யார்தொ ழுதெழக்கண்ண னோடயன் தேட ஆனையின்குருதி மெய்கலப்ப உரிகொண்டு கோட்டாற்றில்விருதி னான்மட மாதும் நீயும்வியப்பொ டும்முயர் கோயில் மேவிவெள்எருதுகந் தவனே இரங்காயுன தின்னருளே

        Karuthi vanthaṭi yārtho zhuthezhak / kaṇṇa ṉōṭayaṉ thēṭa āṉaiyiṉ / kuruthi meykalappa urikoṇṭu kōṭṭātṟil / viruthi ṉāṉmaṭa māthum nīyumvi / yappo ṭum'muyar kōyil mēviveḷ / eruthukan thavaṉē iraṅkāyuṉa thiṉṉaruḷē

      10. 10

        உடையி லாதுழல் கின்ற குண்டரும்ஊண ருந்தவத் தாய சாக்கியர்கொடையி லாமனத்தார் குறையாருங் கோட்டாற்றில்படையி லார்மழு வேந்தி யாடியபண்ப னேயிவ ரென்கொ லோநுனைஅடைகி லாதவண்ணம் அருளாயுன் னடியவர்க்கே

        Uṭaiyi lāthuzhal kiṉtṟa kuṇṭarum / ūṇa runthavath thāya sākkiyar / koṭaiyi lāmaṉaththār kuṟaiyāruṅ kōṭṭātṟil / paṭaiyi lārmazhu vēnthi yāṭiya / paṇpa ṉēyiva reṉko lōnuṉai / aṭaiki lāthavaṇṇam aruḷāyuṉ ṉaṭiyavarkkē

      11. 11

        கால னைக்கழ லாலுதைத்தொருகாம னைக்கன லாகச் சீறிமெய்கோல வார்குழலாள் குடிகொண்ட கோட்டாற்றில்மூல னைம்முடி வொன்றி லாதஎம்முத்த னைப்பயில் பந்தன் சொல்லியமாலை பத்தும்வல்லார்க் கெளிதாகும் வானகமே

        In the last verse the saint names himself and says that those who can recite this garland of verses will easily reach heaven.

        Kāla ṉaikkazha lāluthaiththoru / kāma ṉaikkaṉa lākach chīṟimey / kōla vārkuzhalāḷ kuṭikoṇṭa kōṭṭātṟil / mūla ṉaim'muṭi voṉtṟi lātha'em / muththa ṉaippayil banthaṉ solliya / mālai paththumvallārk keḷithākum vāṉakamē

      Photos

      Photographs

      15 photographs, in the order they appear in the write-up. Captions are AI-assisted.

      A tall flagstaff in a courtyard before a pillared hall and a domed sanctum tower; a woman stands at lower right.
      A weathered arch with a board on its left spans a red earth road lined with trees.
      A coloured tower with a blue base rises above a gateway, with trees on both sides and a plastered wall to the left.
      A tall leafy tree grows behind a yellow compound wall, with a flowering shrub in front.
      An open pillared hall with two painted figures on blue panels and a small shrine at the left.
      A flagstaff stands between a small yellow shrine and a pillared hall with painted figures.
      A painted seated goddess above a doorway; beyond it a hall leads to a lit, grilled sanctum entrance.
      A tall flagstaff in a courtyard before a pillared hall and a domed sanctum tower; a woman stands at lower right.
      A small pillared shrine with a seated four-armed figure in a niche above and a dark inner doorway.
      A coloured domed shrine tower in a courtyard beside a small shrine and a long tin-roofed shed.
      A grassy courtyard with shrubs, a domed sanctum tower, a gopuram behind and a water tank at right.
      A wide view of a grassy courtyard with a domed sanctum tower, small shrines and the gopuram in the distance.
      A tall coloured gopuram rises behind pillared halls and a domed tower; a flagstaff stands in front.
      A long open corridor of white arches and pillars, with domed shrine tops rising behind it.
      The side of a yellow sanctum wall with pillars under a coloured tower, and a small bell tower to the right.