The visit to this Sri Chandrasekara Swamy Temple,
at Chandrasekarapuram, Kumbakonam, was a part of the Shiva and Vishnu temples visit
on 08th March 2025, the previous day of the “Sembiyan Mahadeviyar
Temples Heritage Tour” organized by கும்பகோணம்
வட்டார வரலாற்று ஆய்வு சங்கம், on 09th March 2025.
PC- website
Moolavar : Sri Chandrasekara Swamy
Consort : Sri Soundara Nayagi
Some of the salient features of this temple are….
The temple faces east, with an entrance arch on the
west side. Stucco images of Shiva, Parvati, and Chandra, worshipped by Shiva,
Vinayagar, and Murugan, are on the entrance arch. Balipeedam, Rishabam Moolavar
is on a round avudayar. Chandra’s bas-relief is on the right-side wall of the Ardha Mandapam. In koshtam, Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma,
and Durgai.
In praharam, Sankadahara Sundararaja Vinayagar, Sri
Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Navagrahas, Natarajar with Sivakami (in stone and
stucco images of Vyagrapada, and Patanjali are on both sides of the entrance),
Sapta Rishi Eswar, Manonmani Amman, and Bairavar. A King worshipping Shiva
sculpture is also on the south side sanctum wall.
Ambal is in a separate sannidhi facing south.
Ambal is in a standing posture with abhaya varada hastam.
PC- website
ARCHITECTURE
The temple consists of the sanctum sanctorum, antarala,
ardha mandapam, and mukha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a pada bandha
adhistanam with jagathy, three patta kumudam, and pattikai. The bhitti starts
with vedikai. The pilasters are of Vishnu kantha pilasters with, square base, kalasam,
kudam, palakai, and pothyal. Kumbha panjaras are on the outer wall. The
prastaram consists of plain valapi and kapotam with nasi kudus. The temple was
built with stone from adhistanam to prastaram. One tala brick nagara vimanam is
on the prastaram. Shiva, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, and Brahma are on the
tala and greeva koshtas. The Sigaram is of the vesara style.
PC- website
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
The temple dates from the 11th to 12th Century, the Chozha period. On the outer wall of the sanctum sanctorum, a bas-relief shows a king worshipping a Shiva Linga.
The temple is under renovation and preparing for
the Maha Kumbhabhishekam in another two to three months.
LEGENDS
As per the legend,
Chandra married Daksha’s 27 daughters. Out of his 27 wives, Chandra was fond
of Rohini and spent most of his time with her. So the other wives felt that
Chandra was neglecting them and complained to their father. Daksha cursed
Chandra to diminish his power day by day. Chandra begged to take back his
curse. In turn, Daksha replied that he could not take back the curse, and instead, he suggested that Lord Shiva be relieved from the Curse.
So, Chandra did penance for Lord Shiva. Satisfied with his prayers, Lord Shiva appeared before
Chandra and asked what he wanted...? Chandra requested Lord Shiva to relieve
him from Daksha’s curse. Lord Shiva replied that he could not relieve him
from Daksha’s curse; instead, he gave a boon of gaining his powers for 15
days after losing his powers for 15 days. Since Chandra worshiped Shiva of
this temple, Shiva is called Chandrasekara Swamy.
It is also believed that various siddhars, as
well as the seven celestial Rishis (Sapta Rishis), have worshipped here.
POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are
conducted on pradosham, Maha Shivaratri, Sankadahara Chaturthi, Vinayagar
Chaturthi, etc.
TEMPLE TIMINGS
The temple will be kept open from 07.00 hrs to
11.00 hrs and from 17.00 hrs to 19.00 hrs.
CONTACT DETAILS
K S Veeramani Gurukkal may be contacted on his
mobile number +919486389482 for further details.
HOW TO REACH
The place Chandrasekarapuram is between Valangaiman
and Avoor. The temple is 3.7 km from Valangaiman, 5.6 km from Avoor, 13 km from
Kumbakonam, 18.00 km from Needamangalam, and 31 km from Mannargudi.
The nearest Railway Station is Kumbakonam.
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE
A King worships Shiva
Painting in progress
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---
Kumbabishegam on September.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the informations.. can you identify yourself please.. if possible can you send me the Kumbhabhishekam photos to up date this post.. thanks in advance
Delete