This
is the 91st Thevara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 37th Sthalam
on the north side of river Kaveri in Chozha Nadu. During 6th to 7th
Century this place was called as Kodika and now called as Thirukodikaval.
In
Periya Puranam Sekkizhar mentions that, Thirugnanasambandar came to this temple after
worshiping Lord Shiva of Thiruthuruthi ( Kuthalam ) and Thiruvelvikudi.
திருக்கோடிக்காவில் அமர்ந்த தேவர் சிகாமணி தன்னைஎருக்கொடு இதழியும் பாம்பும் இசைந்து அணிந்தானை வெள்ஏனப்பருக்கோடு பூண்ட பிரானைப் பணிந்து சொல்மாலைகள் பாடிக்கருக்கோடி நீப்பார்கள் சேரும் கஞ்சனூர் கைத்தொழச் சென்றார்
Thirugnanasambandar,
Thirunavukkarasar, Aiyadikal Kadavarkon and Vallalar has sung hymns in praise of
Lord Shiva of the temple. Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal has sung 3 hymns on this
temple.
இன்று நன்று நாளைநன் றென்று நின்ற இச்சையால்பொன்றுகின்ற வாழ்க்கையைப் போகவிட்டும் போதுமின்மின்தயங்கு சோதியான் வெண்மதி விரிபுனல்கொன்றை துன்று சென்னியான் கோடிகாவு சேர்மினே........ திருஞானசம்பந்தர்நெற்றிமேற் கண்ணினானே நீறுமெய் பூசினானேகற்றைப்புன் சடையினானே கடல்விடம் பருகினானேசெற்றவர் புரங்கள் மூன்றும் செவ்வழல் செலுத்தினானேகுற்றமில் குணத்தினானே கோடிக்காவுடைய கோவே........
திருநாவுக்கரசு சுவாமிகள்காலைக் கலையிழையாற் கட்டித்தாங் கையார்த்துமாலை தலைக்கணிந்து மைஎழுதி – மேலோர்பருக்கோடி மூடிப் பலர் அழா முன்னம்திருக்கோடிக்கா அடைநீ சென்று.......... ஐயடிகள் காடவர்கோன் --“அஞ்சுகங்கள்நாடிக்காவுள்ளே நமச்சிவாயம் புகலுங்கோடிக்காமேவுங் குளிர்மதியே........ திரு அருட்பாMoolavar : Sri Kodeeswarar, Sri KodinatharConsort : Sri Thripurasundari, Sri Vadivambigai
Some
of the important features of this temple are....The
temple is facing east with a 5 tier Rajagopuram. Kodimarathu
Vinayagar, balipeedam, Dwajasthambam and Rishabam are in a mukha mandapam
abutting the 2nd level Rajagopuram of 2 tiers. The sanctum
sanctorum consists of sanctum, Antarala and Artha mandapam. The artha mandapam is
of Vavvaknethi style. Moolavar in on a square avudayar and little taller.
In Koshtam Narthana Vinayagar, Natarajar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar,
Brahma, Ashtabhuja Durgai, Pichadanar and Agasthiyar. A moat formation is
around the sanctum sanctorum, may be due to raise of ground level.
In
the inner prakaram, Karaiyetrum Vinayagar, Mayil Vahanar ( Murugan ), Shiva
Lingas, Gajalakshmi, Jyeshta Devi with Manthan and Manthi, Kala bhairava,
Suryan, Chandran, Saneeswarar ( As a Bala Saneeswarar, holding a Shiva Linga in
his hand and seated on eagle against Crow ) and Durvasa.
HISTORY AND
INSCRIPTIONS Since
Thirugnanasambandar and Appar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this
temple, the original brick temple was existed before 7th Century,
built by Pallavas. There were about 50 inscriptions recorded from this temple.
The inscriptions belongs to, Early and Latter Pallavas, Chozha Kings Rajendra
Chozha-I, Vikrama Chozha, Kulothunga Chozha-I, Kulothunga Chozha-III and Pandya
King Maran Sadayan.
Uthama Chozha’s 11th year reign inscription ( 982 CE ), records that the present temple was reconstructed as Katrali / Stone temple by Kandaraditha Chozha’s wife and Queen and Mother of Utama Chozha, Chembian Mahadevi. She instructed to inscribe the old inscription on the walls ( earlier to Uthama Chozha period and later will be of original inscriptions ). Old inscriptions are again reproduced ( padi eduthu ) on
new stones during renovation as a Katrali by Chembiyan Mahadevi. The inscription reads as...
"ஸ்வஸ்திஸ்ரீ
கோப்பரகேசரி பன்மர்க்குயாண்டு 11 ஆவது வடகரை
நல்லூற்றூர்நாட்டு
திருக்கோடிக்காவில்மஹாதேவர்க்கு
ஸ்ரீஉத்தமசோழதேவரை திருவயிறு
வாய்த்தமழவரையர் மகளார்
ப்ராந்தகன்மாதேவடிகளாராந
செம்பியந்மஹாதேவியார்
இத்தேவர்க்குமுன்னிட்டிகைப்
படையாலுள்ளஸ்ரீகோயிலைத் தவிர்த்து
கல்லாலேஸ்ரீவிமானமமைப்பித்து
இதேவருடையபடிகள் முன்பு
தம்மத்துக்கு வைத்துகற்களில் வெட்டி கிடந்த
அவைவெவ்வேறு கல்லாய்
பலவிடத்திலாய்க்கிடந்த அவை எல்லாம்
இந்தஸ்ரீவிமானத்தின் மேலே
முன் ஏறவெட்டிக் கொள்க என்று
அருளிச் செயவெட்டினபடி முன் கிடந்த
படிகளில்...
This re inscribed inscription of Ko maran sadayan 4+9 = 13th year reign, records the endowment of burning a perpetual lamp for which 120 Kalanju Gold was gifted by the Pandya King Varaguna maharaja. இதுவும் ஒருபடி.......
கோமாறன் சடையர்க்கு
யாண்டு 4 ஆவதினெதிர் ஒன்பதாவது
ஆ......திருக்கோடிக்காவில்
மஹாதேவர்க்குநொந்தாவிளக்கினுக்கு
வரகுணமஹாராஜர் குடுத்த பொன்னூற்றிருபதின்"........................................
HISTORY AND
INSCRIPTIONS
As
per the inscriptions this place was called as Vadakarai Nallatrur nattu Brahmadesam
naraNakka Chathurvedi mangalam, Kannamangalam Neriyudaya Chozha Chathurvedi
Mangalam and Lord Shiva was called as
Thirukodikavudayar. Most of the inscriptions records the endowment of burning
perpetual Lamp and day light lamps and
Naivedyam for which land, Gold, kasu, Goat and money Kasu ( Money ), gifted to
this temple.
A Chozha period ( 12th or 13th Century ) inscription in the form of poem ( kali vrutham ) records praising the
Chithra mezhi and the Chozha king as long live. ( Pulavar Rasu )
ஸ்வஸ்திஸ்ரீ வாழிகற்ப கோடிவாழி ஆழிசூழி வைய்யமே
வாழிகற்ப கோடிவாழி
சோழதுங்கன் வல்லியம்
வாழிகற்ப கோடிவாழி
சித்திரலேகை மன்னரே
வாழிகற்ப கோடிவாழி
சித்திரமேழி வாழ்கவே.
Parakesarivarman’s
4th year reign ( 9th to 10th Century )
inscription, records that Mahendravarman Chuthurvedimangala Sabha sold 10
seivinai land at Kallakudi and donated to this temple as irayili.
Parantaka
Chozha 4th year reign ( 909 CE ) inscription records that blowing of
two conches for which a land was donated by KoRRakkurumburudayan Mayan
Kosadayan.
Rajakesari’s
11th year reign ( 9th to 10th Century )
inscription records the endowment of naivedyam and burning of Lamp for which
Merkanattu Sirukattoorudayan
Maasenanmathan gave 360 kalam of paddy
Nallatrurnattu Narasingamangalathu sabhai and from the interest of 360 kalam
paddy, the Sabha agreed to supply 2 nazhi rice for naivedyam and one ulakku
ghee to burn the lamp.
Parantaka
Chozha-I’s 28th year reign inscription records the endowment of burning
a perpetual lamp for which 96 sheep / goats were gifted. 38th year
reign inscription records the endowment of naivedyam for the artha jama pooja
for the same 1/8 sei ( measure ) land and ¾ kalanju gold. From the interest,
Ghee rice, Porikai amuthu, Curd rice are to be arranged by the Temple sabha.
Kovi
Rajakesari’s 13th year reign inscription records the endowment of
creating a nandhavanam for which 3 ma land was gifted by Perumpidugu
Vanchavathyaraian alias Nakkan Cheruvidai. Another 11th year reign
inscription records the endowment of annadhanam to ladies and Gents for which
land was donated by Arur udayan Arulakki Senthan of Vadakarai Nallatrur nadu.
Kovilango
Mutharaiyar 17th year reign inscription ( 9th Century )
records the endowment of burning a perpetual lamp for which 15 Chempon was gifted by Kandan
Pirati of Karaikkattu Kallatrur.
The
Rajarajan-I’s, 13th year reign inscription records that during her
visit to this temple, land was donated to three temple people ( Servents ) to
cultivate the land to grow corps. Rajaraja-I’s
16th year reign inscription records that the sabha received 50 kasu
from the temple and sold a land as irayili.
Parakesarivarman’s
4th year reign inscription records the endowment of burning a
perpetual lamp from the interest earned for which 13 kalanju gold was gifted by
Manimangalamudayanchri Paramayogi. During his 11th year reign records
that a small temple was constructed for Suryan by Adhitha Pidaran of Thenkarai
Panayur Nattu Kotravayil Kotravayiludayan’s brother and gifted 10 kasu and the interest earned to be utilised for the
morning pooja.
Nirupathungan’s
24th year ( 889 CE ) reign inscription records the endowment of
burning perpetual lamp for which 15 Kalanju Gold by Kondanattudayan Vettuvathi Ayaran
alias mallan Vekadavan. 22nd year inscription records that the King’s
wife / Queen had performed the velvis of Hiranyakarpam and Thulabaram. She had gifted
50 Kalanju Gold. The interest earned from the 25 Kalanju Gold, to be utilised
for the Naivedyam and burning of perpetual lamp.
Nandhivarman’s
19th year ( 9th Century ) reign inscription records the
endowment of burning of perpetual lamp
at Sirunangai Eswaram temple for which 100 kalam paddy was gifted to this
temple by Azhirchiriyan.
Pandya
King Maran Sadayan 11th year reign inscription records the endowment
of burning perpetual lamp at Saraswati and Vinayagar
sannidhi for which 180 kalanju gold was gifted by the Pandya King Varaguna Maharajar.
Rajendra
Chozha-I’s 33rd year ( 1047 CE ) reign inscription
records only his meikeerthi.
Vikrama
Chozha’s 3rd year reign ( 1121 CE) inscription records the endowment
of Naivedyam for the Cheppu Urchava murtis for which land was sold to Adhi
Chandeswar. This was decided after the Village sabha assembled. This is a document. Vikrama Chozhan period, the second prakara was named after him as Vikrama Chozhan Thirumaligai.
Kulothunga
Chozha-III’s 20th year reign inscription ( 1197 CE ) records the
endowment of Thirumanjanam to Natarajar on Margazhi Thiruvathirai, for which a
land was gifted by Thillai Ambala Vizhuparayan. Another 13th year
reign inscription records the gift of Land for the endowment of offering Chatti Choru to Thiruvenkadu Udayar at
Thiruvaduthurai Temple and functioning of medical centre as “Vaithya Viruthi – வைத்ய விருத்தி” at Thirumadai valakam.
The poem form of inscription ( built up side down during renovations ) in the Rajagopuram passage, praises Pillai Perumal's son Puthuvai Sadaiyan alias Sethiban as a vallal and Compares with The KIng Pari. The inscription reads as.... ( Pulavar Rasu )
பெரும்பார் தழைக்க
வறியோர் பிழைக்கப் பெருங்கவிதை
வரும்பா வலரும் மறையா
ரும்வாழ மனமகிழ்ந்து
தரும்பாரி பிள்ளைப்
பெருமாள் குமாரன் சகம்பெறினும்
திரும்பா மொழிச்சடை
யன்புது வாபுரிச் சேதிபனே".
Maha
Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 05th, September 2001 and 17th February 2014.
Inscriptions on both side of this imageInscriptions on both side of this imageKulothunga Chozha's inscriptionsLEGENDSAs
per Legend Karaikkal Ammaiyar, Mukkodi Rudras, Celestial deities, sages Durvasar,
Agasthiyar, Rama, Balarama, Veerabhadra, Kali etc, worshiped Lord Shiva of this
temple. The
Sthala Vruksham is Vedhra – Perambu plant ( Vedhra in Sanskrit ), hence Lord Shiva
is praised as “Vedhavaneswarar”.
It
is believed that once this Temple was surrounded with beautiful gardens, hence
Lord Shiva obtained the name of “Sri Koteeswarar” and the place as “Kotikka”. This
is one of the 5 Temples ends with “Ka” beautiful garden. The other temples are,
Thiruvanaikka, Thirukodikka, Thirunellikka, Thirukurakkuka.
In
another Legend, Yama with Chitra Gupta worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple.
Lord Shiva instructed Yama not to threaten / harm his devotees who prays him at
this temple. The Yama in this temple is with Chitragupta, hence worshiping
both will get rid of Yamabayam or fear of death.
It
is believed that Surya worships Lord Shiva and Sun rays falls on moolavar
during 19th to 21st of Tamil month Aadi ( July – Aug ).
POOJAS AND
CELEBRATIONSApart
from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on Vinayagar Chathurthi in
the month Avani ( aug – Sep ), Navaratri in the month Purattasi ( Sep - Oct ),
Skanda Sashti and annabhishekam in the month Aippasi ( Oct – Nov ),
Thirukarthigai in the month Karthigai ( Nov – Dec ), Thiruvathirai in the month
Margazhi ( Dec- Jan ), Makar sankranti in the month Thai ( Jan – Feb ),
Mahashivaratri in the month Masi ( Feb – March ) and on all pradoshams..
TEMPLE
TIMINGS:The
temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs to 16.30 hrs to 20.30
hrs.
CONTACT
DETAILS: Thyagaraja Gurukkal may be contacted on his Mobile number +919159514727
HOW TO
REACH :The
temple can be reached through the bus route Kumbakonam to Kathiramangalam. Can
also be reached through Mayiladuthurai to Kathiramangalam via Kuthalam. The
temple is 5 KM from Suriyanar koil, 12 KM from Thiruppanandal, 17 KM from
Mayiladuthurai, 20 KM from Kumbakonam, 37 KM from Sirkazhi, 58 KM from
Chidambaram, 60 KM from Thanjavur and 273 KM from Chennai.Nearest
Railway Station is Mayiladuthurai.
LOCATION OF
THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE
ஸ்வஸ்திஸ்ரீ வாழிகற்ப கோடிவாழி ஆழிசூழி வைய்யமே
வாழிகற்ப கோடிவாழி
சோழதுங்கன் வல்லியம்
வாழிகற்ப கோடிவாழி
சித்திரலேகை மன்னரே
வாழிகற்ப கோடிவாழி
சித்திரமேழி வாழ்கவே.
Inscriptions on both side of this image
Inscriptions on both side of this image
Kulothunga Chozha's inscriptions
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