Sri Kalahastheeswarar Temple / Purasakudi Sivan temple / புரசகுடி சிவன்கோயில் / ஸ்ரீ காலஹஸ்தீஸ்வர் கோயில், Purasakudi, Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Kalahastheeswarar Temple at Purasakudi, was a Part of “Saptha Mangai Temples Visit”, organised by Kumbakonam Regional History Research Sangam ( K.R.H.R.S ) கும்பகோணம் வட்டார வரலாற்று ஆய்வு சங்கம் - on 10^th March 2024.

The Village obtained the name of Purasakudi, due to the sthala vruksham of this Shiva Temple. The parivara deities names are starts with Gnana. This Temple is believed to be the “Southern Kalahasti”.

Moolavar  : Sri Gnana Kalahastheeswarar

Consort    : Sri Gnanambigai

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple is facing east with balipeedam and rishabam. Stucco image of Shiva and Parvati are on the Rishaba mandapam. Moolavar is on a square avudayar. In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy,  Gnana Maha Vishnu, Gnana Brahma and Gnana Durga.

Ambal is in a separate sannidhi facing south. Ambal is in standing posture with abhaya varada hastam.

In praharam, Gnana Vinayagar, Gnana Valli Devasena Subramaniar,  Gnana Saraswati ( with right hand in Chin mudra and left hand is holding chuvadi / palm leaves ), Gnana Lakshmi, Gnana Suriyan, Navagrahas, Gnana Chandikeswaras ( Two ), Gnana Sundara Varadaraja Perumal with Ramar, Sita, Lakshman, Anjaneyar, Alwars, Sthala Vruksham Purasa Tree with a Shiva Lingam and Vivak Gnana Shiva Lingam.

Suriyan

Suriyan

 Saraswathi

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala and ardha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a upanam and pada bandha adhistanam with jagathy, three patta kumudam and pattikai. The bhitti starts with vedika. The pilasters are of Vishnu kantha pilasters with kalasam, kudam, palakai and vettu pothyal. The temple was constructed with stone from upanam to half of the wall. The prastaram consists of valapi and kapotam. The Vimanam is of eka tala with greevam and vesara sigaram. Shiva, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu and Brahma are in the greeva koshtam.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

It is believed that the original temple belongs to 11^th to 12^th century Chozha period, received contributions from Pandyas, Nayakas and Maratas. Pandya’s, Sundara Pandyan period inscription starts with his meikeerthi.

LEGENDS

As per the legend, Sri Kannappar ( Original name was Thinnan ),  one of the 63 nayanmar and an ardent devotee of Shiva. He used to offer the meat of the animals which he hunted in the forest. Shiva wants to show Kannappar’s bhakthi,  to this world and tested him through flowing of blood from his eyes. First Kannappar removed his one of the eye and applied to Shiva. Now the flood started came from the second eye too. Kannappar, hold Shiva’s eye spot with his leg and tried to remove his second eye too. About to remove, Lord Shiva appeared  before Kannappar and blessed him.

In another Legend, Shiva was worshipped by a snake with precious gems, and Elephant worshipped with flowers. Hence Shiva is being called as Kalahastheeswara.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas special poojas are conducted on pradosham, Maha Shivaratri days, Amavasya, Pournami days, Fridays, etc,.

Chandikeswarar ( 2 )

Chandikeswarar with a beautiful smile

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept opened between 08.00 hrs. to 12.00 hrs. and 17.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs and pooja timings are 09.30 hrs to 10.30 hrs and 18.00 hrs to 19.30 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

HOW TO REACH

The temple at Purasakudi is about 5.2 KM from Ayyampettai, 29 KM from Kumbakonam, 16.KM from Thanjavur.

Nearest railway station is Ayyampettai and Junction is Thanjavur.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

Saraswathi and Maha Lakshmi Sannidhi

Gnana Sundara Varadaraja Perumal with Ramar, Sita, Lakshman, Anjaneyar, Alwars,

Sthala Vruksham- Purasu Tree

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Sri Gauthameswarar Temple / Sri Gouthameswarar Temple / ஸ்ரீ கௌதமேஸ்வரார் கோயில், கும்பகோணம் / Kumbakonam, Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Gauthameswarar Temple at Kumbakonam,  was a Part of “Kumbakonam Temples Visit” - on 09^th March 2024. This one of the Shiva Temple around the Mahamaham Tank and one of the 12 Shiva temples, participates in Mahamaham theerthavari festival, which happens once in 12 years.

Moolavar  : Sri Gauthameswarar

Consort    : Sri Soundrayanayagi

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple is facing east with a 3 tier Rajagopuram. Kodimara Vinayagar, Dwajasthambam, balipeedam are after the Rajagopuram under the Mukha mandapam. Vinayagar and Murugan are at the entrance of ardha mandapam. Moolavar is on a round avudayar. In koshtam, Narthana Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma and Durgai.

Ambal Soundara Nayaki is in a separate sannidhi in ardha mandapam facing south. Nalvar is also in the ardha mandapam.

In paraharam Sri Upaveetha Natheeswarar, Soundarya Nayaki, Gautama Maharishi, Maha Ganapathi, Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Gajalakshmi, Chandikeswarar, Navagrahas, Saniswaran, Suriyan, Chandran, Bairavar and Nagars.

Durga

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam and a mukha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a adhistanam without any regular features. Brahma kantha pilasters with pushpa pothyal is on the bhitti. The Vimanam above the Bhumidesam was built with bricks. Stucco images of Shiva, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu and Brahma are on the tala and greeva koshtam. The sigaram is of Vesara style.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

It is believed that the original temple belongs to Chozha period and reconstructed during the Thanjavur Nayakas and Maratas.

This is one the temple, which participates in the Mahamaham Theerthavari festival. The inscriptions records that this temple participated in 06^th March 2004 and 2016 Mahamaham theerthavari festivals.

Maha kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 09^th September 2015.

A New Chariot was made and trial procession was conducted on 07^th February 2024.

LEGENDS

It is believed that Gautama maharishi worshipped Shiva of this temple and has got boons.

Gautama Maharishi

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas special poojas are conducted on pradosham, Maha Shivaratri days etc. 

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…

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 opened between 07.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 2.00 hrs,

CONTACT DETAILS

HOW TO REACH

The Gauthameswarar Temple is about 1 KM from Kumbakonam Railway Station and Kumbakonam Bus Stand and about 300 meters from mahamaham Tank.

The temple is about 36 KM from Thiruvaiyaru, 44 KM from Thanjavur, 47 KM from Thiruvarur and 282 KM from Chennai.

Nearest Railway Station is Kumbakonam.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

Nalvar

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Chozheeswaramudaiyar Temple / திருநீலக்குடி சோழீஸ்வரமுடையர் திருக்கோயில், Thiruneelakudi, Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Chozheeswarar Temple / Chozheeswaramudaiyar Temple at Thiruneelakudi, was a Part of “Kumbakonam Temples Visit” - on 09^th March 2024. This Sri Chozheeswaramudaiyar Temple at Thiruneelakudi is about 600 meters from Sri Neelakandeswarar Temple, one of the Thevara Paadal Petra Sthalam of Chozha Nadu. 

Moolavar  : Sri Chozheeswarar

Consort    : Sri Vedantha Nayagi

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple facing east with an entrance arch on the east side. Balipeedam and Rishabam are in-front of sanctum sanctorum, under open mukha mandapam. Vinayagar and Balamurugan are at the entrance of antarala. Moolavar is old on a newly made avudayar. In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma and Durga. Stucco images of Shiva, Parvati are on the top of the mandapam.

In praharam Suriyan, Saniswaran, Navagrahas and Chandikeswarar.

Ambal is in a separate sannidhi facing south. Ambal is in standing posture with abhaya varada hastam.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam and an open mukha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a adhistanam with Padma jagathy, vrudha kumudam, Pattika and Kapotam. The pilasters are of Vishnu kantha pilasters with square base and naga bandham, malai thongal, thamarai kattu, kalasam, kudam, lotus petals mandi, palakai, poo mottu pothyal. The prastaram consists of valapi with lotus petals, kapotam with nasi kudus, and viyyalavari. The one tala brick vimanam with greevam and vesara sigaram is above the bhumi desam.  Shiva, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, Brahma are in the greeva koshtam.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The original temple may belongs to 12^th to 13^th Century Chozha period. The temple was in a dilapidated condition before 2013, the ardha mandapam had fallen down, avudayar was found broken, Rishabam was moved to a house near by, the temple surroundings are encroached and patta was also issued to them by the local authorities.

With the great effort of Mr Mullaivendhan, Thiruneelakudi Panchayat Union President, new houses are built for the encroachers and patta was transferred to the temple’s name and renovation works were started. The banam was moved to Ardha mandapam and oru kala pooja was started. In 2013, renovation works are started in full swing. Much care was taken not to alter or damage the structures and sculptures of the temple and it took almost an year. In 2014, Ambal sannidhi renovation was started and in June 2014, maha mandapam works are also started. The circumambulatory path was re-laid and compound wall was also constructed. The koshta images are made new. With tireless effort of Mr Mullaiventhan the Rishabam was moved back to the temple.

After completion of renovations the Jeernodharana Ashta bandhana Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 26^th January 2015, between 7.05 to 7.25 hrs.  

LEGENDS

As per the legend, a Chozha king killed Eranda Munivar accidentally. Due to this he was affected by the brahma hathy dosha. He has relieved from the dosha, he took bath in Nattaru near Vittalur and worshipped Thiruvidaimarudur Sri Mahalinga Swamy temple Gopuram. As a part of thanks giving, the Chozha King constructed this temple.

This place Thiruneelakudi was mentioned in Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal’s hymns as….

கல்லி னோடுஎனைப் பூட்டி அமண்கையர்

    ஒல்லை நீர்புக நீக்கஎன் வாக்கினால்

நெல்லு நீர்வயல் நீலக்குடியரன்

    நல்ல நாமம் நவிற்றி உய்ந்தேனன்றே

In another  legend Markandeya Maharishi stayed here worshipped Shiva and attained the Siranjeevi. As a part of thanks giving, he carried Shiva in a palanquin to Ilanthulai, Enathimangalam, Thirunageswaram, Thirubhuvanam, Thiruvidaimarudur, Maruthuvakudi, etc,. To remember this even, the Chithirai thiruvizha is conducted every year in this temple.  

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular  poojas, special poojas are conducted on pradosham, Maha Shivaratri, Kiruthigai, Theipirai ashtami, Adi Fridays, Vinayagar Chaturthi, Annabhishekam on Aippasi Pournami, Gokulashtami, Navaratri, Maha Karthigai Deepam, etc,.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs to 10.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 19.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

Mr Mullaivendhan, Thiruneelakudi Panchayat Union President may be contacted on his mobile number +918056220511 & +919443091965 for further details.

Web site http://www.chozheeswaram.in

HOW TO REACH

Town buses are available from Kumbakonam Bus stand.

15 KM from Kumbakonam on Kumbakonam to Karaikal bus route.

The Temple is 15 KM from Kumbakonam, 44 KM from Karaikal, 26 KM from Mayiladuthurai, 57 KM from Thanjavur and 300 KM from Chennai.

Nearest Railway Junction is Kumbakonam.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

 PHOTOGRAPHS BEFORE RESTORATION

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---