Sri Kailasanathar Temple / Ammangudi Durga Devi Temple / அம்மன்குடி துர்காதேவி திருக்கோயில், Ammangudi, Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Kailasanathar Temple at Ammankudi was a Part of the “Kumbakonam Temples Visit” on 09^th March 2024. Since I couldn't join the Thukkachi Kumbhabhishekam & Heritage walk organized by கும்பகோணம் வட்டார வரலாற்று ஆய்வு சங்கம், 2^nd and 3^rd September 2023, I visited this temple, the previous day of the Saptha Mangai Temples Visit, on 10th March 2024. 

Even though the temple is dedicated to Shiva, Durga has become famous and is called as Durga Temple. Important festivals are celebrated in relation to Durga. 

Moolavar  : Sri Kailasanathar Temple

Consort    : Sri Parvati

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

The temple faces east with balipeedam and rishabam. There is an entrance arch on the south side, also. Yoga Sarasvati and sthala Shiva Lingam are on both sides entrances of the ardha mandapam. Dwarapalakas are on both sides of the antarala. Moolavar is on a square avudayar. In koshtam, Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, Brahma, and Durgai. In the ardha mandapam, Bairavar, Shani, and Suriyan.

Ambal Sri Parvati is in a separate sannidhi facing South. Ambal is in a standing posture with abhaya varada hastam.

Durga Amman sannidhi is also in the ardha mandapam. Durga is with 8 hands/Ashtabula, holding various weapons. Mahisan’s image is at her feet. A Simha vahanam is in front of the sannidhi. A stucco image of Durga is on the compound wall. 

In praharam, Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, A Shiva Linga banam with Rishabam, Chandikeswarar, and athala vruksham.

 Maha Vishnu and Brahma

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of the sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam, and maha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on an upanam and adhistanam with jagathy, vrudha kumudam, and pattikai. The bhitti starts with vedikai. Vurudha pilasters are on the bhitti with kalasam, kudam, palakai, and tharanaga pothyal. The deva koshtas are padra kostas. The prastaram consists of valapi with bhuta ganas, kapotam with nasi kudus, and viyyalavari. The Vimanam above bhumidesam was built with bricks, consisting of a tala, greevam, and sigaram. The sigaram is of the vesara style. Shiva, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, and Brahma are on the tala and greeva kostas. 

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The original temple belongs to the Chozha period and received contributions from Vijayanagaras, Thanjavur Nayakas, and Marathas. 10^th to 11th-century Chozha period inscriptions are found on the adhistanam and pillars. The temple authorities claim that the temple was built in 944 CE, and the temple was also called Rajarajeswaram. It was the birthplace of Rajaraja Chozha’s Chieftain Krishnan Raman, Brahmarayan, who constructed the outer praharam of Thanjavur Rajarajecharam. 

In general, the inscription mainly records the endowments created for burning the lamps and donations made to the temple.

LEGENDS

As per the legend, after Mahishasura was killed by Durga, the Shiva Lingam from Mahishasura’s neck was brought and installed at this temple by Durga. To get rid of Brahmahathi dosha, Durga did penance and worshipped Shiva at this temple. Hence, this place is called Ammankudi, since Durga did penance, this place was called Devi Thabovanam. The temple tank is on the north side of the temple, where Durga washed the blood of Mahisan and took a bath. Since Durga acted as the head of all Grahas, there is no separate sannidhi for Navagrahas.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on pradosam, Maha Shiva Ratri days, Vinayagar Chaturthi, Theipirai Tuesdays, Valarpirai Ashtami, Chaturthi which follows Tuesdays, Amavasya, Pournami, etc.

Rahu and Sukran dosha parihara poojas are conducted in this temple. Devotees worship Durgai Amman to get rid of all doshas and child boon.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open from 07.00 hrs. to 11.00 hrs, and from 17.00 hrs. to 20.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

HOW TO REACH

This place, Ammangudi, is on the Thiruneelakudi road, between Thiruneelakudi and River Arasalaru.

The temple is about 4 km from Thiruneelakudi, 18 km from Kumbakonam, and 60 km from Thanjavur.

The nearest Railway Station is Kumbakonam.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

A Shiva Linga Banam

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---