04th February
2020.
This
Sri Nattrateeswarar Temple’s visit was part of a Heritage Visit to temples,
Hero stones, and Heritage sites in Erode and Karur Districts, scheduled on 04th February
2020. This temple is in the middle (நடுவே) of the river Kaveri on a small rocky hillock. Hence, Lord Shiva is called Nattrateeswarar. Also, this temple is the middle way between the start point of the River at Kudagu and Poompuhar, where it meets the sea Bay of Bengal. (The river
is 805 Km long and the temple is almost at the center)
Moolavar : Sri Agastheeswarar,
Consort
: Sri Annapoorani Ambika
Moolavar : Sri Nattatreeswarar
Consort : Sri Nallanayaki
Some
of the salient features of this temple are…
The
temple faces east on a small rocky hillock in the middle of the river Kaveri. The temple can be accessed through a bridge constructed in recent years (at an
estimated cost of Rs. 2.25 crores). Cars will go up to the temple base (before the bridge construction, the temple was accessed through Coracles -
Parisal). The temple was built on three levels, depending on the contour of the
rock surface. It was said that the sanctums of various deities are constructed
in such a way that the circumambulation path will be in the form of “OM” (ஓம்), the
Pranava mantra. A mandapa was built under the temple complex, which was
used as steps during the recent renovation. Vinayagar and Nagars are under a
peepal tree at the entrance of the steps. Sri Sthala Vinayagar is at the first
level. The Sri Aathi mara Vinayagar/Kaviri kanda Vinayagar (red in color)
is under the sthala vruksham Aathi three. The Sthala Vruksham is on this
rocky hill and is believed to be 3000 years old.
Ambal
Annapoorani is in the middle level with a sanctum and a mukha mandapam. Lord
Shiva’s dance postures are painted (using natural dyes) on the ceiling of the
front mandapam. Nandhi and balipeedam are in the mukha mandapam. Natarajar’s
stucco image is on the mandapam wall as a relief.
On
the top level is the sanctum sanctorum of Sri Nattrateeswarar, Nattratu Malai
Murugan, Chandikeswarar, Kala Bhairavar, Navagrahas, Saneeswarar, Chandran,
Agasthiyar, Suryan, and Nalvar. Lord Shiva is in a separate temple with a sanctum
sanctorum, antarala, and ardha mandapam. In Koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy,
Arthanareeswarar, Brahma, and Durgai. In the mandapam sannidhi for Bhoomi
Neela sametha Sri Aathi Periya Perumal. Nattratu Malai Murugan is not with his
consorts, and his legs are in a walking posture with a parrot in his hand. It was
said that Muruga went forward to welcome the Sage Agasthiyar to this temple
with Arunagirinathar as a Parrot.
HISTORY
AND INSCRIPTION
The
original temple was built during the 10th-century Sundara Chozha
period. An inscription
stone, belongs to Rajendra Chozha’s 5th year rule (starts with ஸ்வதிஸ்ரீ கோப்பரகேசரி பன்மராகிய ஸ்ரீ இராஜெந்திர சோழதேவர்க்கு….), in
the mandapa is the only proof. The temple was reconstructed and bears a new look, with granite tiles all over.
Rajendra Chozha's inscription
LEGEND
As
per the legend, the sage Agasthiyar was asked to go south to balance the
earth during the celestial wedding of Lord Shiva and Parvati, since all the
Devas and Rishis gathered for the wedding. There are 5 tasks that were assigned to
Agasthiyar on the way to the South, and also Lord Shiva promised him that he would
give Kalyana Kola darshan whenever the sage wanted. The 5 tasks are...
1.
Change the course of direction of the Kaveri river from North to south. (In
another version, Vinayagar in the form of a Crow toppled the Kamandalam in which the 7
holy rivers were brought by Agasthiyar. These 7 rivers flowed as Kaveri).
2. To
put an end to the torture of humans and sages by Asuras Vallavan and Vatabi.
3.
To support Rama for the victory over Ravana.
4. To create a Tamil Sangam
for literature at Madurai ( ?) and
5. To bring out and enhance the
ancient secrets of medicine.
In
the process of killing the Asuras Vatapi/Vatabi in the form of food offered
by Vallavan, which was digested by Agasthiyar, and killing Vallavan, the
sage Agasthiyar got the Bramhahathi dosha for killing these asuras. To get
rid of the dosha, Agasthiyar made a Shiva Linga from the river sand and prayed
for 12 days continuously at this place. At the end of the 12th day, it
was on Chithirai 1st, he tried to dissolve the Shiva Linga but
couldn’t do so. Instead, he heard the Voice of Lord Shiva, who wants to stay
here and bless the Devotees. Then Agasthiyar continued towards the south to
complete his mission. Since the sage installed the Shiva Linga in the middle of
the river Kaveri and offered only porridge made out of bajra and curd.
FESTIVALS
AND CELEBRATIONS
On
Chithirai 1st, lakhs of devotees gathered at this temple for the
darshan of Lord Shiva. (Agasthiyar completed his 12 days of prayer on
this day). As a prasad porridge made out of bajra, a type of millet, mixed with
Curd (கம்பங்கூழ்) will
be offered. The bajra will be brought from Tiruvannamalai, and the curd will be from
Erode. This includes the offering from the devotees also.
Adi Pooram is also celebrated grandly with 108 conch abhishekam. People
believe that all the doshas will be removed if one prays to the Shri Shiva of this
temple.
TEMPLE
TIMINGS:
The
temple will be kept open from 06.30 hrs to 12.30 hrs, and from 15.30 hrs to
18.00 hrs.
CONTACT
DETAILS:
Gurukkal
Guganathan and Senthil may be contacted on their mobile at 9894132096 and
9842732004 for further details.
Secretary
Mr Gandhi 98420 22017
HOW
TO REACH:
From
Erode to Kodumudi, take a left at Chavadipalayam Pudur junction, and you can reach
the bridge on the Kaveri to the temple.
The
temple is 15 km from Erode, 112 km from Coimbatore, and 420 km from
Chennai.
The nearest
Railway Station is Erode.
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK
HERE
Sthala Vruksham with Sri Aathi mara Vinayagar - Kaviri Kanda Vinayagar
Bottom mandapam
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OM SHIVAYA NAMA---
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