Sri Nageswara Swamy / Nageswaran Temple, Kudandhai Keezh Kottam, Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu.

27^th July 2019.

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

 

This is the 114^th Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 27^th sthalam on the south side of river Kaveri in Chozha Nadu. Appar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple. 

Moolavar  : Sri Nageswara Swamy, Sri Naganathar, Sri Nageswaran 

Consort    : Sri Birukandha Nayaki, Sri Periya Nayaki

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

The temple is facing east with a 5 tier Rajagopuram. Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam and Nandhi are before sanctum entrance arch. Sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala and artha mandapam. In Koshtam Dakshinamurthy and Arthanareeswarar. A Vesara vimana is over the sanctum.

In prakaram Valanchuzhi Vinayagar, Iyanar, Saptamatrikas, Subramaniyar, Saptha Lingas, Vaitheeswaran, Suryan, Somaskandar, Navagrahas, Chandikeswarar, Shiva lingas representing Veethi Vidangar ( Thiruvarur ), Cholinganathar ( Thirukkuvalai ), Kannaayiranathar ( Thirukaravayil), Vaimurnathar ( Thiruvaimur), Maraikatchi Nathar ( Vedaranyam ) and  Dharbaranyeswarar ( Thirunallar ) and Natarjar Sabha. 

A Separate temple like sannadhi for Ambal with sanctum, artha mandapam and Vesara Vimanam. A Separate sannadhi for Vinayagar, Valli Devasena Subramanian and Padai Veetu Amman.

Nataraja sabha is called as perambalam, in the shape of ratham. stone wheels with Suryan images on both sides and 2 horses and 4 elephants statues  in pulling posture.

It was learned that Padagacheri Sri Ramalinga Swamigal  done kumbhabhishekam during the year 1923 through begging in the streets  with chembu hanging from his neck. His stucco image is on the inner side of the east Rajagopuram 1^st level.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

There are about 54 inscriptions recorded from this temple starts from Aditya Chozha to Vijayanagara empire. This stone temple was built during Chozha King Athithan-I’s period. The Chozha kings, Adhithan-I, Parantaka Chozha, Adhitha Karikalan, Sundara Chozhan, Uthama Chozhan, Rajendran-I, Rajathirajan-I, Kulothunga-III,  inscriptions speaks about donation of Goats, Lands, Sinhalese Coins, Gold, etc, towards burning of perpetual lamps, Naivedyam, to install a Nataraja idol and pooja etc. 

 

 Padakacheri Ramalinga Swamigal stucco image on the Rajagopuram and he is responsible for the construction of the Rajagopuram

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept opened between 06.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 16.30 hrs to 21.00 hrs

CONTACT DETAILS : 

Land line number is +91 435 243 0386

HOW TO REACH : 

Private Town buses are available from Bus stand up to Uchi Pillayar Koil.  From there, walk-able distance.

On Kaliamman Koil street, near Sri Someshwar Temple.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

Moolavar Vimana with extended nasi

 Rajagopuram ceiling paintings

 Rajagopuram entrance ceiling paintings

  Padakacheri Ramalinga Swamigal Sannadhi

   Saba mandapa pillars

 Veena Dhakshinamurthy on the Vimana

   Chozha beauties 

 An Inch sculpture of Ramayana epic

 An Inch sculpture of Ramayana epic

 An Inch sculpture of Ramayana epic

 An Inch sculpture of Ramayana epic

 Gangandharar

 The Wheel of Sabha mandapa with 12 Suryan bas-reliefs

A Stone horse

This is one of the 12 Shiva Temple, that participates in Mahamaham Theerthavari festival, which occurs once in 12 Years. The 12 Shiva temples and 5 Vaishnava temples of Kumbakonam used to join  and celebrate this Mahamaha festival.

Shiva Temples are…

1.          Kasi Viswanathar Temple,

2.          Adi Kumbeswarar Temple,

3.          Someswarar Temple,

4.          Nageswaraswamy Temple,

5.          Kalahasteeswarar Temple,

6.          Gauthameswarar Temple,

7.          Kodeeswarar Temple,

8.          Amirthakadeswarar Temple,

9.          Banapuriswarar Temple,

10.      Abhi Mukheswarar Temple,

11.      Kambatta Viswanathar Temple and

12.      EkambareswararTemple.

The Maha Vishnu Temples are…

1.          Sarangapani Temple,

2.          Chakrapani Temple, 

3.          Ramaswamy Temple,

4.          Rajagopalaswamy Temple, and

5.          Varaha Perumal Temple.

The Third Visit to this temple was a part of Divya Desam Temples Visit, near Thanjavur and Kumbakonam, organized by Culture Circuits.  Thanks to Mr Balakumaran. 

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---