Sri Agneeswarar Temple / Sri Shanieeswarar Temple / Pongu Saneeswarar Temple / அக்னிபுரீஸ்வரர் சுவாமி திருக்கோயில் / அக்னீஸ்வரர் கோவில் / பொங்கு சனீஸ்வரர் திருக்கோவில், Thirukollikadu / திருக்கொள்ளிக்காடு / Thiruvarur District, Tamil Nadu.

This is the 232nd Thevaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and the 115^th Sthalam on the south side of the river Kaveri in Chozha Nadu. This place was called ThiruKollikadu during the Thevaram period, and the same name is retained even now. 

In Periyapuranam, Sekkizhar records that  Thirugnanasambandar came to this temple after worshiping Lord Shiva of Thiruthangur.

நம்பர்மகிழ் திருஆரூர் வணங்கிப் போந்து

        நலம்கொள் திருக்காறாயில் நண்ணி ஏத்திப்

பைம்புனல்மென் பணைத்தேவூர் அணைந்து போற்றிப்

        பரமர் திருநெல்லிக்காப் பணிந்து பாடி

உம்பர்பிரான் கைச்சினமும் பரவித் தெங்கூர்

        ஓங்கு புகழ்த் திருக்கொள்ளிக் காடும் போற்றிச்

செம்பொன்மதில் கோட்டூரும் வணங்கி ஏத்தித்

        திருமலி வெண்துறை தொழுவான் சென்று சேர்ந்தார்

Thirugnanasambandar and Vallalar have sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.

நிணம்படு சுடலையி னீறு பூசிநின்று

இணங்குவர் பேய்களோடு இடுவர் மாடம்

உணங்கல வெண்டலைதனில் உண்பர் ஆயினும்

குணம்பெரி துடையர்நம் கொள்ளிக்காடரே

........ திருஞானசம்பந்தர்

                                                    -“தாம்பேரா

வீட்டிலன் பரானந்த மேவச் செயுங்கொள்ளிக்

காட்டிலமர்ந்த என்கண் காட்சியே

....... திரு அருட்பா

Moolavar  : Sri Agneeswarar

Consort    : Sri Miruthu Paatha Nayagi, Sri Panjin Melladiammai.

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

The temple faces west with an entrance arch. The temple tank with Lotus flowers is on the left side of the temple. The Arch has a stucco image of Shiva Linga on the top. Dwajasthambam, balipeedam, and Rishabam are in the newly built Mandapam. Moolavar is short and slight in red colour. In koshtam Brahma, Lingothbavar (Brahma and Vishnu are on both sides), Dakshinamurthy, Vinayagar, and Durgai.

In the praharam Vinayagar, Valli Devasena Villenthiya Velavar/Subramaniar (Urchavar is not in this temple), Mahalakshmi, Saneeswaran, Bhairavar, Nalvar, Navagrahas (They are installed in U shape), Vinayagar, Kasi Viswanathar, and Chandikeswarar. Saneeswaran is in a separate sannadhi. There is a bas relief of Tripura Chakravarthy worshiping Lord Shiva on the Sanctum wall (It was told that it is Agasthiya Maharishi).

Urchavars are Natarajar, Sivagami, Saneeswarar with his vahana, and Vinayagar. Ambal is in a separate sannadhi facing south, in a standing posture.

ARCHITECTURE

The main temple consists of the sanctum sanctorum, antarala, and artha mandapam. The Sanctum sanctorum is on a upanam and a prati bandha adhistanam.  The prastaram consists of valapi, kapotam, and Viyyala vari. Bhuta Ganas are in the valapi. An ekathala vesara Vimanam is in the sanctum. The greevam is 8 faces. The 4 Maha nasis on the sigaram are in the 4 cardinal directions. Maha Vishnu and Brahma are with their consorts. 

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

Since Thirugnanasambandar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple, the original temple might have existed before the 7^th Century, and the same was reconstructed as a stone temple during the Chozha period and later extended by Vijayanagaras and maintained by Nattukottai Nagarathars.

Rajaraja Chozha-I’s 21^st reign year inscription starts with his Title /mei keerthi records the endowment, a land measuring “onre oruma mukkani” was gifted to this temple for Naivedyam and wages to the two persons working in the temple. Initially, the tax on the land was paid by the sabha, and later, the same was exempted for the tax by converting it into Irayili. For 3 kala pooja, 4 Nazhi kuruni Paddy/(rice..?) was given for each kalam (times), and for the two persons, one pathakku paddy was given. 

Rajaraja Chozha-I’s 25^th reign year inscription starts with his meikeerthi, records the endowment of Naivedyam of 6 nazhi paddy and Kariyamuthu to images of “Amara Sundara Perumal”, “Nampirattiyar” and “Pillayar Ganapathy”, for the same a land measuring “Araiye nanmaa varai araikani” by the villagers of Thirukollikadu. If it is defaulted either by the sabha or any individual, a penalty of 25 kalanju gold will be levied by the Village mandram.

Rajaraja-I’s 27^th reign year inscription starts with his mei keerthi records the endowment of playing conch/shanka, kaalam, and Sekandikai at this temple, for which a land measuring “Onre araikkal (1 +1/8)” and a housing plot was gifted by “Achchan Kundran” and his brother “Achchan Adigal”. In addition to that, the same persons also donated “araiye maakani” land for the 3 persons who are playing the above.

Rajendra Chozha-I’s 3^rd reign year inscription records the endowment of worship at this temple, for the same 1 veli land situated at Arumulaicheri alias Maraya mangalam and 200 kasu by “Kollikadudayan Anukkampuththan” alias “Arvalanattu Moovendhavelan”. The land was converted into an Irayili by Maraya Mangalam Mahasabha.

Rajendra Chozha-I’s  inscription records that Annadhana Yogis and Maheswaras of this temple of Thirukollikadu were enjoying the Temple’s land from Uthama Chozha’s 3^rd reign year to Rajendra Chozha-I’s 23^rd reign year by paying only 200 kasus. This was complained to Rajendra Chozha-I by Thiruvendurai Annadhana Yogis and Maheswaras (temple incharges). So the King ordered Rajendra Chozha Moovendha Velan, an official, to enquire the same. When he found it was true, ordered to pay double the amount as 400 kasus. Since they couldn't pay, and surrendered the land to the temple itself as Irayili.     

Maha Kumbabishekam was conducted in the year 2013 after maintenance. This was done under Sri Kamakoti Peetadhipathi Jagadguru Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Swamigal’s pon vizha scheme.

About 120 acres of Nanjai land is under the control of the temple, gifted by the Chozha King. 

Believed to be the Chozha king worshiping Lord Shiva with inscriptions on top

LEGENDS

In this Saneeswaran temple, special poojas are performed on Saturdays and Shani peyarchi days. Shaniswararn of this temple is also called as Pongu Shani  (last part of 7.5 nattu Shani), who will do good to those with Shani dosha. The temple will be kept open throughout the day on special occasions.

As per the legend, Saneeswaran did a penance on Lord Shiva to get rid of the sin accrued. Satisfied with the penance, Lord Shiva appeared and gave darshan. Saneeswaran requested Lord Shiva the boon of staying in this temple and bless his devotees, and give them all the wealth. Hence, Saneeswarar is called "Pongu Saneeswarar". 

In another legend, Saneeswarar is holding a plough in his right upper hand. It is believed by the local people that before starting the cultivation after rain, praying to Pongu Saneeswaran will get a good yield.  

When a Chozha King had Shani dosha, he came to this temple and worshiped Lord Shiva. With the grace of Lord Shiva, he has been relieved from Shani dosha.

In the Thevaram hymns, it was mentioned about the Gaja Samhara of Lord Shiva. Hence, it is believed that this temple might have been called “Kariyuritha Thevar Temple”.

 

Pongu Shaniswarar (PC - Website) holding a plough in the upper right hand 

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on  Saturdays, Shari Peyarchi days, Vinayagar Chathurthi in the month Avani (Aug – Sept), Navaratri in the month Purattasi (Sept-Oct), Skanda Sashti and Annabhishekam in the month Aippasi (Oct – Nov), Thirukarthigai in the month Karthigai (Nov – Dec),  Thaipoosam in the month Thai (Jan – Feb), Maha Shivaratri in the month Masi (Feb – March), and monthly pradosams.

Devotees lit ghee lamps

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open from 07.30 hrs to 12.30 hrs and from 06.30 hrs to 10.30 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

The landline number is +91 4369 237 454, and the Gurukkal mobile number is +91 95853 82152, which may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH

On the bus route from Thiruvarur to Thiruthuraipoondi, take a diversion to Thirunellikaval, Thengur  - Keeralathur, and Kallikkadu.

A12 Town bus from Thiruvarur to Thirukollikadu is also available.

The temple is 18 km from Thiruthuraipoondi, 20 km from Mannargudi, 23 km from Thiruvarur, 57 km from Kumbakonam, 58 km from Thanjavur, and 318 km from Chennai.

The nearest Railway Station is Mannargudi.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---