Ganga Jadadisvarar Temple / Shri Gangajatatheeswarar Temple / Sri Vijayanathar Temple / அருள்மிகு கங்காஜடாதீஸ்வரர் திருக்கோயில் / கோவிந்தபுத்தூர் கங்காஜடேஸ்வரர் கோயில் / Govindaputhur, Ariyalur District, Tamil Nadu.

The Visit to this Ganga Jadadisvarar temple at Govindaputhur, in Ariyalur District was a part of “Perambalur & Ariyalur Districts Heritage Walk” organised by Aatrupadai - ஆற்றுப்படை – A Tours and Heritage group on 4^th and 5^th , November 2023.  

This temple is on the north banks of river Kollidam and the place is called as Govindaputhur, is considered as 121^st Thevara Vaippu Sthalam sung by Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal. But most of the Sivanadiars considers Sri Vijayanatheswarar of Thiruvijayamangai, which is on the south side of the river Kollidam is the 101^st Thevaram Paadal petra Shiva Sthalam and 47^th Sthalam on the north side of river Kaveri in Chozha Nadu, sung by Thirugnanasambandar and Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal.

In another version, some of the experts, this temple is the Paadal Petra Sthalam. This temple is called as Vijayamangai and the place is called as Govindaputhur / Govanthaputhur and Gokaranthaputhur - கோ+ கரந்தபுத்தூர் - Go+Karanthaputhur. This was mentioned in Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal Thevaram as.. கொள்ளிடக்கரைக் கோவந்தபுத்தூரில் வெள்ளிடைக் கருள் செய்விசயமங்கை.

In PeriyaPuranam Sekkizhar records that Thirugnanasambandar came to this temple after worshiping Lord Shiva of Thirupugalur.

அந்தணர்விசய மங்கையினில் அங்கணர்

    தம்தனி ஆலயம் சூழ்ந்து தாழ்ந்துமுன்

வந்தனை செய்து கோதனத்தை மன்னிய

    செந்தமிழ் மாலையில் சிறப்பித்து ஏத்தினார்

Thirugnanasambandar, Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal and Ramalinga Adigalar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.

மருவமர் குழலுமை பங்கர் வார்சடை

    அரவமர் கொள்கையெம் அடிகள் கோயிலாம்

குரவமர் சுரபுன்னை கோங்கு வேங்கைகள்

    விரவிய பொழிலணி விசய மங்கையே

தோடமர் காதினன் துதைந்த நீற்றினன்

    ஏடமர் கோதையோ டினித மர்விடம்

காடமர் மாகரி கதறப்போர்த்ததோர்

    வேடம துடையணல் விசய மங்கையே.

....... திருஞானசம்பந்தர்

பாண்டு வின் மகன் பார்த்தன் பணிசெய்து

    வேண்டு நல் வரங்கொள் விசய மங்கை

ஆண்டவன் அடியே நினைந்து ஆசையால்

    காண்டலே கருத்தாகி இருப்பனே

வந்து கேண்மின் மயல்தீர் மனிதர்காள்

    வெந்த நீற்றன் விசயமங் கைப்பிரான்

சிந்தை யால்நினை வார்களைச் சிக்கெனப்

    பந்து வாக்கி உய்யக்கொளுங் காண்மினே.

........ திருநாவுக்கரசு சுவாமிகள்

                                                    ---“மாற்கருவின்

கண்விசைய மங்கைக் கனிபோற் பெறத் தொண்டர்

எண்விசைய மங்கையில் வாழ் என்குருவே

--- திருஅருட்பா  வள்ளலார்

Moolavar  : Sri Ganga Jadadisvarar / Vijayanathar

Consort    : Sri Mangalambigai / Mangai Nayaki

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

The temple is facing east with a mottai Gopuram. Balipeedam and Rishabam are after the mottai gopuram. Stucco Dwarapalakas are at the entrance. In koshtam, Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, Kala samhara moorthy, Ashtabhuja Durgai and Pichadanar.

In praharam, Ambal, Vishnu Durgai, Rajaraja Chozha, Raja Pathni, Maha Vishnu, Maheswarar, Saptamatrikas, Shiva Lingam, Mothaga Ganapathy, Srusti Ganapathy, Maha Lingam,  Vinayagar, Murugan, Kasi Viswanathar, Visalakshi, Gajalakshmi, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Navagrahas, Chandikeswarar, Bairavar and Suriyan.

Saptamatrikas

Saptamatrikas

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam and maha mandapam. The Sanctum sanctorum is on a kapota bandha adhistanam with padma jagathy, Vrutha kumudam and Kapotam with nasikudus. The Prastaram consists of valapi, kapotam with nasi kudus and Viyyalavari. An ekatala stucco vesara vimanam is on the sanctum sanctorum. Shiva, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu and Brahma are in the greeva Kostas.  

Photo in day light 

Photo in night

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

Since Thirugnanasambandar and Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple, the original temple might have existed before 7^th Century. The sanctum sanctorum was reconstructed during Rajaraja –I’s period with stone and the rest are in brick structure.  

The inscriptions recorded from this temple belongs to Madurai Konda Koparakesarivarmar, Parakesari Uttama Chozha, Rajendra Chozha-I, Kulothunga Chozha-I and III, Tribhuvana Chakravarthi Rajarajan ( may be III ). As per the inscriptions, this place Vijayamangai was in Vadakarai Rajendra Singavalanattu Periya Vanavan Mahadevi Chathurvedi mangalathu Vijayamangai ( Rajendra Chozha –I period ) and Vikrama Chozha Valanattu Innambar Nattu Vijayamangai ( during Kulothunga Chozha –III ), Periyasrivanavan Madeechaturvedimangalam. Lord Shiva was called as Vijayamangalamudaya Mahadevar, Vijayamangalathu Mahadevar, Vijayamangalamudaya Paramasamy.

Rajaraja-I’s 3^rd year reign inscription records the construction of the moolavar vimana with stone by Udayar Mummudi Chozhan Thevar Peruntharaththu Kuvalaalamudayar Ambalavan, Pazhuvur Nakan alias Vikrama Chozha maharajan ( Perumtharathu – a Noble man / a regional King – Kurunila mannan ). 

விசயமங்கலமுடைய பரமசாமிக்கு ஸ்ரீ விமானத்தைக் கல்லால்

எழுந்தருளுவித்தவன் உடையார் மும்முடிச்சோழதேவர் பெருந்தரத்து

குவளாலமுடையான் அம்பலவன் பழுவூர் நக்கனான

விக்கிரமசோழ மகாராஜன் ஆவன். ( SII Volume XIII )

One of the 3^rd reign year inscription was inscribed as per the agreement reached.

One of the inscription records the endowment of naivedyam and service  by Madhana Kameecharipurathu Kadan of this Brahmadeya Chaturvedimangalam. For the same land was gifted to this temple.

Another inscription records the endowment of 4 kala poojas, with Naivedyam, as rice, Porikayamuthu, Puzhukkayamuthu, Kariyamuthu, Neiamuthu ( ghee rice ), Thayiramuthu ( Curd rice ), Adaikkai Amuthu ( beetle nut and leaf ), Verungai / vegetables, and the pooja materials like Sandal, Sandal paste, Camphor,  Milk, vasthiram ( dress cloths ), 5 Perpetual lamps, 4 lamps for morning, Uchikalam 8 and night 14 sandhi lamps for which, a land was donated to this temple, by Ambalavan Pazhuvur Nakkan alias Rajaraja Pallavaraiyan.

Uthama Chozha’s period inscription Kuvalamudaiyan Ambalavan Pazhuvuran Sri Vikramachozhamarayar, rebuilt the temple as stone temple. Hence During Parantaka period this temple might have been a brick temple. Kuvalamudaiyan Ambalavan Pazhuvuran Sri Vikramachozhamarayar’s wife gave 96 sheeps / Goats for burning  a perpetual lamp. ( Kuvalapuram – Kolar in Karnataka state ).

Kuvalamudaiyan Ambalavan Pazhuvuran Sri Vikramachozhamarayar gave 1 ¼ ma land to the temple and received 200 kalanju gold. The Village sabha agreed to pay the taxes like Vasalil pontha Kudimai, Ooridu varipadu, Irai Echchoru, Chenneervetti etc. Also they assured that if Thevarkanmis and Brahmins and Karnathar levy taxes, they will be punished to pay 50 kasus as penalty.   

This inscription records the endowment of burning a perpetual lamp by Adigal Pazhuvettaraiyar Maravan Kandan’s official Kundra kootrathu ARani Nallur Manaperumai Swamy alias Kundra Nattu KaNdap Perunthinai. For the same 90 sheeps was gifted to this temple.

Rajarajan-I’s 7^th  reign year inscription records that Ambalavan Pazhuvur Nakkan alias Rajarajara Pallavaraiyan established the Natarajar  with Umapatalaki ( Sivakami ) and donated ornaments.

The Sanctum sanctorum South side adhistanam inscription records the name of this place as Rajendra Singavalanattu Brahmadeya SriParantaka Chaturvedi Mangalam, which was earlier called as Periya Sri Vanavanmadevi Chathurvedi mangalaam. The sabha of this Village assembled at Sri Parantakapereri’s bank and established an endowment of burning lamp, naivedyam, reciting thirupathigam, services, celebration of Rajaraja-I’s birth day on Panguni sathaya nakshatra day at Sri Adita Eswaramudayar Temple. For the same land was gifted to the temple. Also the gave a gift of lands for establishing flowering garden and supply 100 sengazhuneer flowers at Thuraiyur alias Sri Vanavan Madevi Nallur. This decision was endorsed by the Villagers keralanthagacheri, Rajarajacheri, Sundarachozhacheri, Mumudichozhacheri, Niththavinothacheri representatives.

Kulothunga Chozha-III’s 14^th& 15^th reign years inscription records that Madathipathi Pazhuvur Andan, who took care of this temple, had done malpractices like, Cutting and selling of 32600 betel nut trees,  30400 kasu, which was collected as taxes, holds personal without depositing in the Pandaram / treasury. This leads to the loss to the temple. When the Kings official and the Village Sabha tried to enquire, he escaped from the house through back doors. The House was broke opened and found 40 kalam paddy and some materials belongs to the temple. His house was demolished and a Vinayagar temple was constructed on that place and a land was purchased from the kasu recovered.

Rajathi Rajan’s 7^th reign year inscription records that the beetle nut trees in the temple devadana lands @140 trees  in one ma land was given to Pazhayanur Udaiyar Pallavarayar. At the end of this inscription Rajaraja Chozha-III’s 32^nd reign year inscription also inscribed.    

Rajaraja-I’s 32^nd year reign inscription records that there was a mutt / math called Thiruthondar Thokaiyan Thirumadam existed during his period.

One of the inscription records that there was a sabha functioned in the Village and used to assemble at Vinaiyabarana Vinakara Perumanadigal ( a Perumal Temple ). Before the sabha assemble, the same will be announced to the villagers through beating of drum and blowing of Kalam ( a type of air instrument ).

Rajendra Chozha-III’s inscription on the outer side wall of the praharam records the Thirugnanasambandar’s Thevara pathigam as...

வாழ்க அந்தணர்

  வானவர் ஆனினம்

வீழ்க தண்புனல்

  வேந்தனும் ஓங்குக

ஆழ்க தீயதெல்

  லாம்அரன் நாமமே

சூழ்க வையக

  முந்துயர் தீர்கவே.    

Thevara Inscription 

Uthama Chozha’s 948 CE inscription records that thevaram was recited in this temple. Another Rajendra Chozha-I’s inscription records that paddy was given for reciting Thevaram pathigam in the temple.

Ref:

1. Varalaru.com, issue 46.

2. A Guide book issue during the Heritage walk

LEGENDS

The epic Mahabharat’s character Pandu’s son Arjuna Worshipped Shiva of this temple and obtained many boons. This was mentioned in the hymns sung by Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal.

பாண்டு வின்மகன் பார்த்தன் பணிசெய்து

    வேண்டும் நல்வரம் கொள்விச யமங்கை

ஆண்டவன் அடியே நினைந்து ஆசையால்

    காண்ட லேகருத் தாகி யிருப்பனே

This place was also called as Go +Karantha + puthur, which means that Cow worshiped Shiva with the milk. This legend is in the form of Stucco image and a kanda pada bas relief in the temple.

In another legend Like Shiva, Brahma also had 5 heads. Due to this Brahma behaves like Shiva, thinking that he is equal powerful like Shiva. So Shiva sent Bairava to pluck the 5^th head.  This legend along with blessing Vijayan, was mentioned by thirunavukkarasu Swamigal in his hymns. Since Shiva blessed Vijayan, this place is being called as Vijayamangai.

கொள்ளிடக்கரைக் கோவந்தபுத்தூரில்

    வெள்ளிடைக் கருள் செய்விசயமங்கை,

உள்ளிடத்து உறைகின்ற உருத்திரன்

    கிள்ளிடத் தலையற்றது அயனுக்கே

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on pradosham, Maha Shivaratri, Vinayagar Chaturthi, Sankatahara Chaturthi, etc,.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs to 11.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.

HOW TO REACH

This temple is on the Ariyalur- Muttuvancheri – Govindaputhur Road. 

The temple is about 32 KM from Ariyalur, 34 KM from Keezhapalur, 66 KM from Thanjavur, 48 KM from Perambalur,  100 KM from Trichy and 290 KM from Chennai.

Nearest railway station is Ariyalur.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE  : CLICK HERE

Maha Vishnu - Pichadanar

Rishi Pathnis

Ashta bhuja Durgai - Kalasmharar

Chandikeswarar - Dakshinamurthy

Maha Vishnu - Brahma

Durgai

Durgai

Shiva

Murugan

Bairavar

A Mandapa with squatting lion ( square ) pillars 

Sthala Purana

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Sri Kotravaleeswarar Temple, ஸ்ரீ கொற்றவாளீஸ்வரர் திருக்கோயில் / கொற்றாளீஸ்வரர் கோவில் , கோவிலூர் / Koviloor, Sivaganga District, Tamil Nadu.

The Visit to this Sri Kotravaleeswarar Temple at Koviloor near Karaikudi was a part of Shiva, Vishnu Temples of Pudukkottai and Sivagangai Districts Visit on 23^rd & 24^th September 2023.

This is one of the ancient temples in Sivaganga District and the legend of this temple is associated with the Pandya king. Hence it is believed that the original temple was built during early Pandya Period.

Moolavar  : Sri Kotravaleeswarar

Consort    : Sri, Thirunellai Ambal.

Moolavar  : Sri Kailasanathar

Consort    : Sri Nithya Kalyani

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

The temple is facing east with a big temple tank and a neerazhi mandapam. The main Rajagopuram is of 5 tiers with mandapam in-front. Vinayagar, Shiva with Parvati as rishaba roodar and Murugan are on the hara portion / parapet wall of the mandapam.

The sanctum sanctorum is on a raised platform. Ambal temple also adjacent to Moolavar sannidhi facing east. A big paraha or circumambulatory path is around the Shiva and Ambal sannidhis. In koshtam, Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Annamalaiyar, Brahma and Durgai.

In Praharam Thiru Nellaiamman, Somaskandar, Adhi Shiva, Vinayagar, Kasi Viswanathan, Visalakshi, Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Chandikeswarar, Kailasanathar, Nithya Kalyani and Navagrahas. All the Navagrahas are in sitting posture.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam and maha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a raised platform. Ambal temple also adjacent to Moolavar sannidhi facing east. The sanctum sanctorum is on a pada bandha adhistanam with three patta kumudam. The Bhitti starts with Vedika. The Kostas are of patra & sala type. A mandapam was extended in front of Dakshinamurthy. Two Lions are supporting the mandapam.  Kumbha panjaras are in the karna pathi. The prastaram consists of valapi with madhalam, kapotam with Nasi kudus  and Bhumi Desam. A 3 tier vesara Vimanam is on the sanctum sanctorum.

A big prahara or circumambulatory path is around the Shiva and Ambal sannidhis. The praharam / corridor is with high ceiling. The corridor is very much similar to Rameswaram Temple.

The Mandapa pillar sculptures like Shiva’s Urdhva thandavam, Shiva & Parvati as Rishabaroodar, Dancing, Saraswati, Mahishasuramardini, Shiva & Parvati’s marriage, Bairavar, etc are worth to watch.

One of special feature, is the Temple tank with Neerazhi mandapam of octagonal shape supported with 16 pillars. The mandapa is of 3 tiers and the sala/ Kostas are of hara style.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

It is believed that the Original temple belongs to 6^th to 7^th Century, early Pandya period. As per the Sivagangai mavatta Tholliyal kaiyedu, Due to the presence of beautiful Temple in the Village, this place might have obtained the name as Kovilur. This place was once called as Kazhanivasal, Srivallapuram, Ezhakapperuntheru, etc,.

In 1382 CE, Vijayanagara King called Samanar, had taken steps to regulate living of the Brahmins community. In one of the sabha it was decided to give 8 Kalanju Gold or equivalent Silver Coins to the brides by the bridegrooms. If any body disobeyed, they will be excluded from the Brahmin Community.

During 16^th century, a person called Soorakudi Pettappa Vijayalaya Devan, had given some gift ( may be land ) as irayili and a Madappalli to this temple ( re-constructed the temple ).   An in 1550 CE, A Subramaniyar Idol made of Gold and also established an endowment for the celebration in the month Karthigai, for the same donations were made.      

The present stone structure was reconstructed 19^th to 20^th Century, by Kovilur Madam Swamigal, Sri Muthuramalinga Desikar, Nattukottai Nagarathar’s period. 18^th to 19^th Century inscriptions are found on the adhistanam.

 

And the temple is now under the administrative control of Sivagangai Samasthanam. 

Sr Muthuramalinga Gnana Desikar Swamigal about 200 years ago, whose madam is near the temple was the key person for the renovation of the temple.

LEGENDS

As per the legend the ardent devotees of Shiva Sivakuptan and Suthanmai’s daughter Arathana Valli was sent to guard the paddy field to save the crops from the birds. But Aratha Valli went to garden instead of paddy field. Ma Parvati took the form of Arathana Valli and guards the paddy fields. Suthanmai went to the field with food for her daughter. After she gave food returned back to home and Arthanavalli, came to home and asked for food. Suthanmai realized that, the girl in the form of her daughter, who guarded the paddy fields, was none other than ma Parvati. Hence ma Parvati of this temple is being called as Thiru Nellai Ambal.  

In Another Legend, When the Pandya king was ruling Kalayarkoil, came to here for hunting. He chased a deer and about to kill with his sword, found it was disappeared, due to Shri Shiva’s play. The deer ran in to the forest and disappeared. After some time, the king found that Brahmin was chased by a tiger. To save the Brahmin, the King himself tried to fight with Tiger. The Tiger and the Brahmin disappeared, found his sword and a Shiva Linga under a Tree. The Pandya King built a temple keeping the Shiva Linga as moolavar. Since Shiva gave back his sword ( வாள்  ), Shri Shiva is being called as Kotravaleeswarar ( கொற்றவாளீஸ்வரர் ), also called as Raja kadka Parameswarar.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on pradosham, Maha Shivaratri, Arudra darshan, amavasya and Pournami days, etc,.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs to 11.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

The Mobile numbers +9194892 78792, +91 94424 39473,  and +9190435 67074, may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH

This Sri Kotravaleeswarar Temple at Kovilur is about 8 KM from Kundrakudi Murugan Temple,  12 KM from Pillayarpatti Sri Karpaga Vinayagar Temple, 13 KM from Vairavanpatti Sri Vairavar Temple, 11 KM Nemam Jeyangonda Soleeswarar Temple and 5.2 KM from Karaikudi Bus Stand.

Nearest railway station is Karaikudi.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

காலசம்ஹாரர்

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---