Sri Kokileswarar Temple / Kozhambanathar Temple, Thiru Kozhambam, Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu.

27^th July 2019.

The second time visit to this Sri Kokileswarar  Temple/ Sri Kozhambanathar Temple was a part of the Kumbakonam Heritage Walk organized by "Yaaooyaakay"- யாஊயாகே”  and "Celebrate Kanchi" on 27^th and 28^th July 2019.  This post has additional details of History and inscriptions. The details of my previous visit to Sri Kokileswarar Temple /Sri Kozhambanathar Temple were recorded in this same blog.

 

Now this place is called Thiru Kozhambam near Melaagalangan Village. This is the 152^nd Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 35^th Stalam on the south side of river Kaveri. This temple has the Thirugnanasambandar and Appar’s Devara Pathigam.

Moolavar    : Sri Kokileswarar, Sri Kozhambanathar.

Consort      : Sri Soundaranayagi.

Some of the important features of this temple are.....

The temple faces east with an entrance arch with stucco images of Shiva & Parvati, Vinayagar, and Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar. There is a three-tier Rajagopuram in front of the sanctum sanctorum. Rishabam and Balipeedam are after the Rajagopuram. An ekathala Vesara Vimana is over the sanctum. In Koshtam Vinayagar, Agasthiyar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma, Natarajar, Pichadanar, Arthanareeswarar and Durgai.

 

In the praharam Kannimoola Ganapathi, Appar (Thirunavukkarasar), Murugan, Chozha Lingas, Gajalakshmi, Bhairavar, Suryan and Chandikeswarar.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandaapam and maha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a prati bandha adhistanam with vrudha kumuda. The pilasters are Brahma kantha and Vishnu kantha pilasters. The pilasters consist of malai thongal,  

 

HISTORY & INSCRIPTIONS

The temple was built during Parantaka Chozha’s period, expanded by Kulothunga Chozha, and maintained by Vijayanagara Nayaks. Even though this temple was believed to have been constructed by Parantaka-I, the earliest inscription belongs to Uthama Chozha. Rajaraja-I, Rajendran-I, Rajathirajar, and Kulothunga period inscriptions are also there.  As per the inscription Lord Shiva was called Peravur Nattu Thirukozhamba Mahadevar.  In one of the Koshta a sculpture of a lady worshiping Lord Shiva. As per Historians, she may be Uthama Chozha’s daughter. 

 

 A Kulothunga period inscription

LEGENDS

A scar Impression of a cow's leg is found on the Avudayar ( Archakar’s son showed me the same). Sri Parvati was cursed by Lord Shiva to be born as a Cow at Thiru Kozhambam and marry him after the curse period was over.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept open between 07.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS : 

Land Line numbers are: +91 4364 232 055  and +91 4364 2320 005

HOW TO REACH : 

On the bus route from Kumbakonam to Karaikal, get down at S. Pudur ( near Melaagalangan Village) and the temple is 1 Km.

Can be reached from Thiruvidaimaruthur also.  ( Thiruvalangadu) The distance is 5 Km.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE:  CLICK HERE

 Makara thorana relief

Makara thorana relief

 Makara torana reliefs above koshta

A Dwarapalaka

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---