Sri Nageswaran Temple /Sri Nageswararswamy Temple / ஸ்ரீ நாகேஸ்வரர் கோயில், குடந்தைக் கீழ்க்கோட்டம், Kudanthai Keezhkkottam / Kudanthai Keelkottam, Kumbakonam, Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu.

This is the 114^th Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 27^th Sthalam on the south side of river Kaveri in Chozha Nadu. Sri Nageswara Swamy temple is called Kudanthai Keezhkkottam / Kudanthai Keelkottam.  Since this temple is on the eastern side of Kumbakonam, the so-called Kudanthai Keelkottam.

In Periya Puranam Sekkizhar records that Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal came to this temple after worshiping  Thiruvalanchuzhi. Sekkizhar didn’t mention Kudanthai Keelkottam separately.

நல்லூரில் நம்பர் அருள் பெற்றுப் போய்ப் பழையாறை

பல்ஊர் வெண் தலைக்கரத்தார் பயிலும் இடம் பலபணிந்து

சொல் ஊர்வண் தமிழ்பாடி வலஞ்சுழியைத்தொழுது ஏத்தி

அல்ஊர் வெண்பிறை அணிந்தார் திருக்குடமூக்கு அணைந்து இறைஞ்சி

........ திருநாவுக்கரசு சுவாமிகள் புராணம்

Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal, Ayyadigal Kadavarkon, and Vallalar have sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple. 

சொன்மலிந்த மறை நான்காறங்கமாகிச்

        சொற்பொருளும் கடந்த சுடர்ச் சோதிபோலும்

கன்மலைந்த கயிலைமலை வாணர் போலும்

        கடல்நஞ்சம் உண்டுஇருண்ட கண்டர்போலும்

மன்மலிந்த மணிவரைத் திண்தோளர்போலும்

        மலையரையன் மடப்பாவை மணாளர்போலும்

கொன்மலிந்த மூவிலைவேற் குழகர்போலும்

        குடந்தைக்கீழ்க் கோட்டத் தெங்கூத்தனாரே

......... திருநாவுக்கரசு சுவாமிகள்

கடுவடுத்த நீர்கொடுவா காடிதா என்று

நடுநடுத்து நா அடங்கா முன்னம் – பொடியடுத்த

பாழ்க்கோட்டஞ் சேராமுன் பன்மாடத் தென்குடந்தைக்

கீழ்க்கோட்டஞ் செப்பிக்கிட

.......... ஐயடிகள் காடவர்கோன்

                                                    -“மாணுற்றோர்

காழ்க்கோட்ட நீங்கக் கருதுங் குடமூக்கிற்

கீழ்க்கோட்ட மேவுமன்பர் கேண்மையே

.......... திரு அருட்பா

Moolavar  : Sri Nageswaran, Sri Naganathar, Sri Vilvavaneswarar

Consort    : Sri Birukandha Nayagi, Sri Periya Nayaki

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

The temple faces east and has a 5-tier Rajagopuram. Padagacheri Ramalinga Swamigal’s stucco image is on the inner side of the east Rajagopuram 1^st level, who was instrumental in constructing this Rajagopuram. Paintings of Natarajar, Shiva’s family, and Murugan are on the east side Rajagopuram Ceiling.

Nirutha Ganapathy, balipeedam, Dwajasthambam, and Rishabam  are before the sanctum entrance arch. Nandhavanam and Simha Mukha theertham. The Simhamukha are made of stucco. In sanctum sanctorum moolavar is Swayambhu, short with piraisoodi and Nagaparanam. In Koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, and Arthanareeswarar as Rishabanthikar, Brahma, and Durgai.

In Prakaram on the right side is the Ambal Periya Nayaki Sannadhi facing south. 16 pillar mandapa is on the left and Nataraja sabha is on the right. Natarajar Sabha is called Perambalam also called Anantha Tandava Nataraja Sabha. Sivakami is playing thalam, Maha Vishnu is playing flute, and on the opposite wall Saraba Murthy, Shiva Linga, Nandhi / Rishabam, Vinayagar, Ambal, Murugan, nalvar painted on the wall. Sabha was built like a chariot. The wheels have the bas-reliefs of 12 rasis, 2 horses, and 4 elephants in pulling posture. Also a Separate sannadhi for Vinayagar, Valli Devasena Subramaniar and Padai Vettu Amman.

Also Pralayakala Rudrar, Valanchuzhi Vinayagar, Ayyanar Saptamatrikas, Subramaniyar, Sapta Lingas, Bhagavathrishi under bilva tree, Vishnu Durgai, Vaitheeswarar, Suryan, Somaskandar, Chandikeswarar, Siva Siva sound / oli mandapa and navagrahas are in the prakaram. 

Gangai Vinayagar Sannidhi is in the ardha mandapam. The Vinayagar was brought from the Ganga region as a war trophy, by Rajendra Chozha-I, and installed in this temple. Vinayagar is in a standing posture with 4 hands. Elephants are shown on the top of the panel.    

With and Without decoration

Ambal is in a separate temple with palliyarai. Next to that is Aadi poora Amman Sannathi. Ambal is in standing posture with Abhaya and Varada hastam. 

Chandikeswari

Chandikeswarar

ARCHITECTURE

Sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala, and artha mandapam. A two tala, Nagara vimanam is on the sanctum sanctorum. Nataraja sabha is called as perambalam, in the shape of ratham. stone wheels on both sides, 2 horses, and 4 elephant statues in pulling posture.

12 Rasis on the wheels of sabha mandapam

Sabha mandapam stucco images 

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

There is a saying that “கோயில் பெருத்தது கும்பகோணம்”, the Kumbakonam has many temples both Saivam and Vaishnavam. Even though in literature, this place was mentioned as Kudamooku, now called Kumbakonam. Once in 12 years, Mahamaham is conducted in Mahamaha Theertha Tank on the day when Guru stands in Simha rasi and Chandran in  Kumbha Rasi.

The Mahamaha Theertha tank is spread over 15 acres and it has 9 wells and 16 sannadhis around the 4 banks. Apart from small temples, the Kumbakonam has 14 big temples with 14 tanks. They are Brahma theertheesam, Mukunthesam, Thanesam, Rishabesam, Banesam, Konesam, Bhakthesam, Bhairavesam, Agasthesam, Vyakesam, Gangadharesam, Bramesam and Moothatheerhesam.  In addition to this temple, it has 14 Theerthas, 7 Thadahas, 3 wells, and 4 river steps. The maintenance of these tanks and Vimanas of 16 Shiva temples was built during the Vijayanagara period by Achuthappa Nayak’s minister Govinda Dheekshithar. He carried out all these with Gold with thulabharam ie equal amount of his weight. His stone image is in Kumbeswarar Temple.

Govinda Deekshithar was instrumental in establishing Raja Veda Padasala, Schools, Pushba mandapas with Jodi / twin Vimanas, Velvi Sala next to Raja Veda Pada Sala, The Silver Chariot & Rishaba vahana at Thiruvidaimaruthur and extension of Mandapas at temples, etc. Hope was next to Chozhas, he was the person who had done this yemon service. He was also called Ayyan so some of the places like Ayyampettai, Manakkal Ayyampettai, Ayyan Street at Kumbakonam, and Thanjavur are named after him. Hence he was praised in Kumbakonam Kshethra Mahathmiyam as...

கோவிந்த தீக்ஷிதோ நாம மஹாநாஸீத் கலெள யுகே

தேந ஷோடசலிங்காநி ஸ்தாபிதாதி ஸரோவரே

 

It is believed that the main temple/sanctum Sanctorum was built by Kandaraditha Chozha, the Inner mandapam was built by Sekkizhar, and the Outside mandapa was built by the Achuthappa Nayak’s minister Govinda Deekshithar.

It was learned that Padagacheri Sri Ramalinga Swamigal had done kumbhabhishekam during the year 1923 by 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.

Stucco image of Ramalinga Swamigal who constructed this Rajagopuram

Ramalinga Swamigal's Sannathi

INSCRIPTIONS

Most of the Chozha period inscriptions record the endowment of burning perpetual lamps for which donations were made in terms of Land, Kasu, Gold, cattle, etc,. Some of them are... ( Please refer to SII Volume 19, Sl Nos 6 - 8, 50, 95 - 6, 131 - 3, 184, 204 - 5, 323, 431, )

 

Gandraditha Chozha’s 2nd reign year inscription records the endowment of burning a perpetual lamp for which 90 sheep/ ewes are gifted to this temple by Kadikavan Kallan of Vira Chozha Terinja Kailkolar ( a Kaikolar regiment ), in the temple of Tirukilkottattu Paramaswami of Tirukkudamukkil.

Another Gandraditha period inscription records the gift of 10 veli lands including a portion situated at Arisalur which had been granted to the Mula paradaip-perumakkal of Thirukudamukkil by the king as an abhisheka dakshinai, to the temple of Tirukkeelkottathu Paramaswami, in return of 1500 kalanju gold. It refers to a fine of 3000 kalanju gold received by Madurai Konda Udayar ( Parantaka-I ) and to the pandippadaiyar regiment.

Uttama Chozha's 13th reign year inscription ( 982 CE, June 9th Friday ) records the gift of land after purchase by Viranaraniyar a Queen of Uttama Chozha to the temple of Tirukkilkottattu Perumal of Tirukudamukkil for providing flower garland to God.

Sundara Chozha ( Parantaka-II ), 5th reign year inscription records the sale of 1/4 veli land by the Mulapparudai-perumakkal of Tirukkudamukkil to Madevan Kandi a servant woman attached to the Karralippirattiyar Velam at Thanjavur, for 20 Kasu, which was endowed by her for the maintenance of a person who was to supply a pot of water from the Kaveri river thrice every day for the sacred bath of God. ( The name Karralippirattiyar mentioned in the inscription may be the wife of Kodumbalur Chief Bhuti Vikramakesari, the subordinate to Sundara Chozha Parantaka-II ) 

Koparakesari's 4th reign year inscription records the endowment of feeding two Brahmins daily after Mid-day service to God in the temple of Tirukkilkottattan at Tirukkudamukkil, by Eluvan Madevan, a merchant of Nandipuram. For the same 6 1/2 ma land was gifted after purchase.

 

The Chozha king Rajakesarivarman Rajaraja-I, 3^rd reign year inscription records the endowment of 70 Ilakasu ( Sri Lankan coin ) in gold, who took the head of Veera Pandya, by Devan Kuppai, Of the Veerachozhan Terinja Kaikolar community/regiment, to the temple is Thirukilkottathu Paramaswami at Thirukudamukkil. A devathana of Pambur Nadu, on the northern bank of Kaveri. Out of the interest earned three times pooja with naivedyam has to be done to the Silver image set up in the temple by the donor. This agreement was lapsed and the reason is not known.

Kulothunga Chozha-III, 35^th reign year inscription records that Alvar Thirupurambiyam Udayar, alias Sembiyan Pallavaraiyan of Velur had established an image called Thirupurambiyam Udayar, and presented 17000 kasu for naivedyam and burning of sandhi lamps to that image and for a makara thorana 9 thiruvasi .. ?) to Thirukilkottam Udayar

The Pandya King Maranjadayan’s 8^th reign year inscription records the endowment of burning two perpetual lamps for which 138 cows and 100 kasu, by the king for the supply of milk 10 nali ) and ghee/ daily to the Bhatara of Thirukkilkottam in Thirukkudamukku, ie Kumbakonam

Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 29^th November 1985 after maintenance works through Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam and on 07^th Feb 2003.

Ref

Souh Indian Inscriptions, Volume 19, Sl Nos 6 - 8, 50, 95 - 6, 131 - 3, 184, 204 - 5, 323, 431, )

LEGENDS

During the ancient period, this place was called as Vilvavanam, Surya Kottam, Keezha Kottam. Since this temple is on the eastern side of Kumbakonam, the so-called Kudanthai Keelkottam.

It is believed that it will be auspicious to worship Lord Shiva of Kudanthai Keezhl Kottam in the morning, Thirunageswaram in the afternoon, and Thirupampuram in the evening on a single day.

During pralaya, as per the wish of Brahma the Amirtha Kalasa stayed at this place, hence called Amuthasarorukam and Kumbakonam. It is believed that 9 holy rivers start with Ganga, Sarayu, Yamuna, Saraswati, Sindu, Narmada, Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri came in the form Nava Kannis took a bath, hence called “Kanniyar Theertham”.

பூமருவும் கங்கைமுதல் புனிதமாம் பெருந்தீர்த்தம்

மாமக்ந்தான் ஆடுதற்கு வந்து வழிபடுங்கோயில்

..... பெரிய புராணம்

At the end of each yuga, the Shiva destroys the living things on the whole earth through Pralaya. Brahma asked Lord Shiva where to create new lives and the procedure to be adopted. Lord told Brahma to create a magical pot and fill it with the seeds of all living things, the soil of various holy places, and the amirtha in the pot. At the end of the yuga, Lord Shiva asked Brahma to leave the pot to float in the pralaya flood water. When the pot reached this place Lord Shiva in the form of Kirathamoorthy shot the pot with an arrow. The pot had broken and the Amirtha mixed with soil spilled and spread on this place Kumbakonam. The soil with amrita formed a Shiva Linga.  Hence Lord Shiva is called Adi Kumbeswarar, the temple is called Adi Kumbeswarar Temple and this place is called Kumbakonam.

The arrow shot by Lord Shiva creates nostrils around the post. The amirtha flowed through the nostril. Hence this place is called as “Kudamooku” ( Kudam – pot, mooku – nostrils ). The Mango leaves, the sacred grass ( Tharpai ), hoop ( uri ), bell tree leaves ( bilva ), Coconut and the sacred thread ( poonool ) which adorns the pot had fallen in a different places due to the swirl of the pralaya wind. They formed Shiva Lingas and later as temples around this place. As per the Puranas, the life of the living things started from this place and this is treated as one of the Thiruvilaiyadal of Lord Shiva. It is believed that vilva leaves had fallen on this place and formed a shiva Linga, hence called Vilvavaneswarar.

Astronomically the Mahamaham happens on a full moon day as the moon is passing the Magha nakshatra (Leo sign ), and the Sun is on the other end in the opposite Aquarius sign ( Kumbha Rasi ). Mahamaham occurs once in 12 years when the Planet Jupiter's residence in Leo coincides with a full moon in Leo.

PoRRamarai tank is in front of the temple. Mahamaham festival or the Kumbh Mela is celebrated once in 12 years in the Mahamaham tank. It is believed that 9 celestial maidens had a dip in the Mahamaham tank. It is believed that it is the confluence of 9 holy river Goddesses namely Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati, Narmada, Godavari, Krishna, Tungabhadra, Kaveri, and Sarayu. According to Periyapuranam Lord Shiva rejuvenate all the 9 holy rivers.

It was believed that Surya worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple. Sunrays fall on Moolavar, three days ie 11^th to 13^th during the month of Chithirai ( April- May ).

Pallava / Chozha  Lion Pillars

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular Poojas, Special poojas are conducted on Theerthavari festival is conducted in Mahamaham Tank on Masi Maham day, Maha Shivaratri ( Feb – march ), Panguni Festival in the month Panguni ( March – April ), Saptasthana festival  in the month Chithirai ( April – May ), Thirumanjanam in the month Aani ( June –July ), Aadi Perukku & Aadi pooram in the month ( July – Aug ) and monthly pradoshams

This Sri Nageswaraswamy Temple is one of the 12 Shiva Temples, that participates in the 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.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open between 07.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 16.30 hrs to 21.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS : 

The landline number +91 435 243 0386 may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH : 

Private Town buses are available from the Bus stand up to Uchi Pillayar Koil.  From there, walkable distance.

On Kaliamman Koil Street, near Sri Someswaran Temple.

This temple is  37.5 KM from Mayiladuthurai, 39 KM from Thanjavur 398 KM from Chennai.

Nearest Railway station is Kumbakonam.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

Rajagopuram ceiling painting 

Ashtadikpalakas

A Buddhist image... ? - No

Pichadanar and Brahma

Miniature Sculptures

Miniature Sculptures

Miniature Sculptures

Miniature Sculptures ( Mourn of Vali's death )

Miniature Sculptures ( Vali and Sugriva fight ) 

Miniature Sculptures

Chandesa Anugraha Murthy

Nataraja

New Photo of Vimanam

Oorthuva Thandavar Temple 

Oorthuva Thandavar Temple mandapa ceiling

Bhagavar Shrine ( A Saint )

Bhagavar Shrine ( A Saint )

Gajalakshmi

Aiyyanar

Madhanika Sculpture 

Madhanika Sculpture 

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. Visited this temple 4th time as a part of Rajendra Chozha's War Trophy installed Temples around Kumbakonam. 

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---