This is
the 114th Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 27th sthalam
on the south side of river Kaveri in Chozha Nadu. Sri Nageswara Swamy temple is
called as Kudanthai Keezhkkottam / Kudanthai Keelkottam. Since this temple is on the eastern
side of Kumbakonam, so called as Kudanthai keelkottam.
In Periya Puranam Sekkizhar records that
Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal, came to this temple after worshiping Thiruvalanchuzhi. Sekkizhar didn’t mentioned
Kudanthai Keelkottam separately.
நல்லூரில்
நம்பர் அருள் பெற்றுப் போய்ப் பழையாறைபல்ஊர் வெண்
தலைக்கரத்தார் பயிலும் இடம் பலபணிந்துசொல் ஊர்வண்
தமிழ்பாடி வலஞ்சுழியைத்தொழுது ஏத்திஅல்ஊர் வெண்பிறை
அணிந்தார் திருக்குடமூக்கு அணைந்து இறைஞ்சி........
திருநாவுக்கரசு சுவாமிகள் புராணம்Thirunavukkarasu
Swamigal, Ayyadigal Kadavarkon and Vallalar has sung hymns in praise of Lord
Shiva of this temple.
சொன்மலிந்த மறை
நான்காறங்கமாகிச் சொற்பொருளும்
கடந்த சுடர்ச் சோதிபோலும்கன்மலைந்த
கயிலைமலை வாணர் போலும் கடல்நஞ்சம்
உண்டுஇருண்ட கண்டர்போலும்மன்மலிந்த மணிவரைத்
திண்தோளர்போலும் மலையரையன்
மடப்பாவை மணாளர்போலும்கொன்மலிந்த
மூவிலைவேற் குழகர்போலும் குடந்தைக்கீழ்க்
கோட்டத் தெங்கூத்தனாரே.........
திருநாவுக்கரசு சுவாமிகள்கடுவடுத்த
நீர்கொடுவா காடிதா என்று நடுநடுத்து நா
அடங்கா முன்னம் – பொடியடுத்தபாழ்க்கோட்டஞ்
சேராமுன் பன்மாடத் தென்குடந்தைக்கீழ்க்கோட்டஞ் செப்பிக்கிட..........
ஐயடிகள் காடவர்கோன் -“மாணுற்றோர்காழ்க்கோட்ட
நீங்கக் கருதுங் குடமூக்கிற்கீழ்க்கோட்ட மேவுமன்பர் கேண்மையே.......... திரு
அருட்பா Moolavar : Sri Nageswaran, Sri Naganathar, Sri VilvavaneswararConsort : Sri Birukandha Nayagi, Sri Periya
Nayaki
Some of
the important features of this temple are...The
temple is facing east with a 5 tier Rajagopuram. Padagacheri Ramalinga
Swamigal’s stucco image is on the inner side of the east Rajagopuram 1st level
who was instrumental in constructing this Rajagopuram. Nirutha Ganapathy, balipeedam,
Dwajasthambam, Rishabam are before
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 natarajar sabha is on the right. Natarajar
Sabha is called as Perambalam also called as 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 has the
bas-reliefs of 12 rasis, 2 horses and 4 elephants are there 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 was brought from Hanga region
as a war trophy and installed in this temple.
Ambal is
in a separate temple with palliyarai. Next to that is Aadi poora Amman
sannathi. Ambal is with Abhaya and Varada hastam in standing posture.
ARCHITECTURESanctum
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 elephants statues in
pulling posture.
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONSThere is
a saying that “கோயில்
பெருத்தது கும்பகோணம்”, the
Kumbakonam has many temples both Saivam and Vaishnavam. Even though in
literatures, this place was mentioned as Kudamooku, now called as 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 spreads 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
temples, it has 14 Theerthas has, 7 Thadahas, 3 wells and 4 rivers steps. The
maintenance of these tanks and Vimanas of 16 Shiva temples was built during
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, atc.
Hope next to Chozhas, he was the person who had done this yemon service. He was
also called as 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 யுகேதேந
ஷோடசலிங்காநி ஸ்தாபிதாதி ஸரோவரே
During pralaya, as per the wish of Brahma the
Amirtha Kalasa stayed at this place, hence called as Amuthasarorukam and
Kumbakonam. It is believed that 9 holy rivers starts with Ganga, Sarayu,
Yamuna, Saraswati, Sindu, Narmada, Godavari, Krishna and Kaveri came in the
form Nava Kannis took bath, hence called as “Kanniyar Theertham”.
பூமருவும்
கங்கைமுதல் புனிதமாம் பெருந்தீர்த்தம்மாமக்ந்தான்
ஆடுதற்கு வந்து வழிபடுங்கோயில்..... பெரிய புராணம்The Paadal Petra Sthalangal Kumbeswarar Temple,
Nageswara Swamy Temple and Kudanthai Karonam are there in Kumbakonam.
It is
believed that main temple / sanctum Sanctorum was built by Kandaraditha Chozha,
Inner mandapam was built by sekkizhar and 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 through begging in the
streets with chembu hanging from his neck. His stucco image is
on the inner side of the east Rajagopuram 1st level.
INSCRIPTIONSMost of the Chozha period inscriptions records 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 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 sheeps 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 land including a
portion situated at Arisalur which had been granted to the Mula
paradaip-perumakkal of Thirukudamukkil by
the king as a abhisheka dakshinai, to the temple of Tirukkeelkottathu
Paramaswami, in return of 1500 kalanju gold. It refers as 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 everyday 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, 3rd 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, 35th 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 8th 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 29th November 1985 after maintenance
works through Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam and on 07th Feb 2003.
LEGENDSDuring ancient period this place was called as
Vilvavanam, Surya Kottam, Keezha Kottam. Since this temple is on the eastern
side of Kumbakonam, so called as 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.
At the
end of each yuga, lord destroys the living things on the whole earth through
Pralaya. Brahma asked Lord Shiva from where to creates 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, 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 shoots the pot with an arrow. The pot had broken
and the amirtha mixed with soil spilled and spreads on this place Kumbakonam.
The soil with amrita formed a Shiva Linga.
Hence Lord Shiva is called as Adi Kumbeswarar, temple is called as Adi
Kumbeswarar Temple and this place is called as 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 different place due to swirl of the pralaya wind.
They formed Shiva Lingas and latter as temples around this place. As per the
puranas, the life of the living things started from this place and this is
treated one of the Thiruvilaiyadal of Lord Shiva. It is believed that vilva
leaves had fallen on this place and form a shiva Linga, hence called as
Vilvavaneswarar.
Astronomically
the Mahamaham happens on full moon day occurs as the moon is passing the Magha nakshatra ( leo sign ),and Sun is on the other end in the opposite Aquarius sign ( Kumbha Rasi ). Mahamaham occurs occurs once in 12 years,when the Planet Jupiter's residence in Leo coincides with 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 falls on
moolavar, three days ie 11th to 13th during the month of
Chithirai ( April- May ).
Pallava Lion Pillars
POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONSApart
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 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…5. Kalahasteeswarar Temple,6. Gauthameswarar Temple,7. Kodeeswarar Temple,8. Amirthakadeswarar Temple,9. Banapuriswarar Temple,11. Kambatta Viswanathar Temple and
The Maha Vishnu Temples are…4. Rajagopalaswamy Temple, and5. Varaha Perumal Temple.
TEMPLE TIMINGS The
temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 16.30 hrs to 21.00
hrs.
CONTACT DETAILS : Land
line number +91 435 243 0386 may be contacted for further details.
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 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
Pichadanar and BrahmaMiniature Sculptures ( Mourn of Vali's death )Miniature Sculptures ( Vali and Sugriva fight ) Miniature Sculptures
New Photo of Vimanam
Oorthuva Thandavar 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---
கடுவடுத்த
நீர்கொடுவா காடிதா என்று
..........
ஐயடிகள் காடவர்கோன்
.......... திரு
அருட்பா
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, atc.
Hope next to Chozhas, he was the person who had done this yemon service. He was
also called as 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...
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…
5. Kalahasteeswarar Temple,
6. Gauthameswarar Temple,
7. Kodeeswarar Temple,
8. Amirthakadeswarar Temple,
9. Banapuriswarar Temple,
11. Kambatta Viswanathar Temple and
The Maha Vishnu Temples are…
4. Rajagopalaswamy Temple, and
5. Varaha Perumal Temple.
The
temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 16.30 hrs to 21.00
hrs.
Rajagopuram ceiling painting
Ashtadikpalakas
Pichadanar and Brahma
Miniature Sculptures ( Mourn of Vali's death )
Miniature Sculptures ( Vali and Sugriva fight )
Miniature Sculptures
New Photo of Vimanam
Oorthuva Thandavar 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---
Narration of the article is very good and intresting .
ReplyDeleteThanks ma.. for the encouraging comment
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