This is the 261st Thevara
Paadal Petra Shiva sthalam and 3rd sthalam of Kongu Nadu called
"Thirunana" in ancient times and now called as Bhavani. ( For Details
of my earlier Visit to Sri Sangameswarar temple . The temple is located at the confluence of three rivers (
Triveni Sangamam ) called Cauvery, Bhavani and Agasa Ganga / Amudha ( which comes
from the under ground ). The locals refers this temple place as
Kooduthurai.
As per Periya Puranam, Sekkizhar
records that, Thirugnanasambandar came to this temple after worshiping Lord Shiva
of Kodimada Chengundrur ( Tiruchengode )
அப்பாலைக் குடபுலத்தில் ஆறு அணிந்தார் அமர்கோவில்
எப்பாலும் சென்று ஏத்தித் திருநணாவினை இறைஞ்சிப்
பைப்பாந்தள் புனைந்தவரைப் பரவிப் பண்டு அமர்கின்ற
வைப்பு ஆன செங்குன்றூர் வந்து அணைந்து வைகினார்
எப்பாலும் சென்று ஏத்தித் திருநணாவினை இறைஞ்சிப்
பைப்பாந்தள் புனைந்தவரைப் பரவிப் பண்டு அமர்கின்ற
வைப்பு ஆன செங்குன்றூர் வந்து அணைந்து வைகினார்
The Sthala purana of this temple as
per Kongu mandala Sthalangal as…
பொன்னியே கங்கை
யமுனையே பவானி பொருவரும்
பராசரன் வகுத்த
மின்னவிர் அமுத நதியே வானி அல்லது வேறல இந்தத்
தன்நிகர் பிறிதுஇல் தலம் திரிவேணி சங்கமம் ஆதலால் தென்பால்
கன்னிமா மதில்சூழ் காசியின் மேலாய்க் கவினுமிக் கடிநகர் அன்றே
மின்னவிர் அமுத நதியே வானி அல்லது வேறல இந்தத்
தன்நிகர் பிறிதுஇல் தலம் திரிவேணி சங்கமம் ஆதலால் தென்பால்
கன்னிமா மதில்சூழ் காசியின் மேலாய்க் கவினுமிக் கடிநகர் அன்றே
......பவானித்தலபுராணம்
பந்தார் விரல்மடவாள்
பாகமா நாகம்
பூண்டு ஏறது
ஏறி
அந்தார் அரவணிந்த அம்மான் இடம்போலும் அந்தன் சாரல்
வந்தார் மடம்ந்தி கூத்தாட வார்பொழில் வண்டு பாடச்
செந்தேன் தெளியொளிரத் தேமாங் கனியுதிர்க்கும் திருநணாவே
அந்தார் அரவணிந்த அம்மான் இடம்போலும் அந்தன் சாரல்
வந்தார் மடம்ந்தி கூத்தாட வார்பொழில் வண்டு பாடச்
செந்தேன் தெளியொளிரத் தேமாங் கனியுதிர்க்கும் திருநணாவே
( Meaning : Uma, who plays balls
with finger, occupies one part of Lord Shiva and he wears the snakes around his
body. The place was very pleasant to make the monkeys to dance, bees to fly from
flower to flower with its flying sound to gather honey and the fruits ripe on
its own and fell on the ground is the place Thirunana )
“துஞ்சலெனும்
இன்னலகற்ற இலங்கு பவானிக்கூடல்
என்னு நணாவின் இடை இன்னிசையே”
…… திரு அருட்பா
Moolavar : Sri
Sangameswarar, Sri SangameshwararConsort : Sri Vedhanayagi, Pannarmozhiammai
Some of the important features of
this temple are ....
Since the temple is located at the confluence of rivers Cauvery, Bhavani and Amudha, Lord Shiva is called as Sri Sangameshwarar also the place is known as Kooduthurai. The temple is facing east with an entrance from north side. Rishabam is in a mandapam in front of 5 tier Rajagopuram, since the whole temple is considered as a Shiva Linga. Paramapadha vassal of Perumal temple is on the right side of the Rajagopuram. At the entrance sannidhis are for Kottai Vinayagar, Rajaganapathy and Muthukumarasamy. In the inner prakaram sannadhi for 63var, Pancha Bhoota Lingas, Shani Bhagavan, Kasi Viswanathar and Arumugasamy. Bronze idols of Nayanmars which includes Somaskanda are a part of Urchavars.
Since the temple is located at the confluence of rivers Cauvery, Bhavani and Amudha, Lord Shiva is called as Sri Sangameshwarar also the place is known as Kooduthurai. The temple is facing east with an entrance from north side. Rishabam is in a mandapam in front of 5 tier Rajagopuram, since the whole temple is considered as a Shiva Linga. Paramapadha vassal of Perumal temple is on the right side of the Rajagopuram. At the entrance sannidhis are for Kottai Vinayagar, Rajaganapathy and Muthukumarasamy. In the inner prakaram sannadhi for 63var, Pancha Bhoota Lingas, Shani Bhagavan, Kasi Viswanathar and Arumugasamy. Bronze idols of Nayanmars which includes Somaskanda are a part of Urchavars.
In Jwarahareshwarar sannidhi, moolavar
Jwarahareshwarar is with three heads, three hands and three legs is the
specialty of this temple and the dwarapalakas also has the similar features.
Kubera Lingam, Amirthalingam, Sahasra
Linga, Gayathri Linga ( believed to be installed by saint Vishwamitra ), Nagars
with Jyeshta Devi, Sahasrara Linga Shrine ( 1008 Small Shiva Lingas carved on
one Shiva Liva Linga ) are in the outer prakara. Sri Soundaranayaki udanurai
Sri Adhikesava Perumal and Yoga Narasimhar sannidhis are after the entrance
of Rajagopuram with a mandapam.
Arunagirinathar also praised Lord
Muruga of this Thirunanaa ( Bhavani ) temple, in his Thirupugazh as….
கலைமேவு ஞானப்
பிரகாசக் கடலாடி
ஆசைக்கடலேறி
பலமாய வாதிற் பிறழாதே பதிஞான வாழ்வைத் தருவாயே
மலைமேவு மாயக் குறமாதின் மனமேவு வாலக் குமரேசா
சிலைவேட சேவற் கொடியேனே திருவாணிகூடற் பெருமாளே.
பலமாய வாதிற் பிறழாதே பதிஞான வாழ்வைத் தருவாயே
மலைமேவு மாயக் குறமாதின் மனமேவு வாலக் குமரேசா
சிலைவேட சேவற் கொடியேனே திருவாணிகூடற் பெருமாளே.
ARCHITECTURE
The temple complex consists of main temple for Sri Sangameswarar, Sri Vedhanayagi / Pannarmozhiammai, Murugan Temple, Shaniswarar, Sri Soundaranayaki udanurai Sri Adhikesava Perumal and Yoga Narasimhar sannidhis. All the Temples are facing east.
The temple complex consists of main temple for Sri Sangameswarar, Sri Vedhanayagi / Pannarmozhiammai, Murugan Temple, Shaniswarar, Sri Soundaranayaki udanurai Sri Adhikesava Perumal and Yoga Narasimhar sannidhis. All the Temples are facing east.
The Main temple adhistanam is on a
lotus petals pedestal. The Adistana is simple Pada bandha with jagathy, three
patta kumuda and pattikai. The Bhitti starts with Vedika. The Pillars and
pilasters are with square base with nagabandham, Kalasam, Thadi, Kumbha /
Kudam, Lotus petals mandi, palagai, veerakandam and pushpa pothyal. The
prastaram consists of Valabi, kapotham and prahara ceiling covers the Bhoomi
Desam. Lotus petals are in the valapi. The Stucco Vimana is of 3 tiers. Stucco
images of Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu and Brahma are on the Vimanam.
Dakshinamurthy Mandapam
These Ketti Mudali Mandapam pillars are similar
Vijyanagara style with Yazhi and Horse riders supported by warriors and
animals. This types of exquisitely carved pillars decorates the Ambal Sannidhi
Mukha mandapa. The centre Panel of Mukha mandapam ceiling has the bas-reliefs
of Lord Shiva Dancing, Ambal, Naradar, Nandi playing Mridangam, Brahma, Cauvery and
Ganga, Kodi Pengal, Vinayagar, Arumuga with 12 hans and peacock, Maha Vishnu,
Elephant Yazhi playing Veena, Varahar, Saraswati etc. Dancing girls are in the
inner Square. The Centre Lotus petals are supported by the Parrots. In addition
to that The Ketty mudali’s symbols
Tiger, Bow with arrow, Fish, Colour plate with vaadatha malai are on the 4 corners of this panel. Part
of this symbol is at the Rajagopuram also.
Kettimudali emblem are on the 4 corners
Rajagopuram Entrance - partial Ketti Mudali symbols
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTION
The inscriptions recorded in Erode District inscription, Volume-I, are written now and the earlier inscriptions if available will be up dated latter.
The inscriptions recorded in Erode District inscription, Volume-I, are written now and the earlier inscriptions if available will be up dated latter.
The 17th Century
inscription ( 1640 CE ) belongs to Nalludaiappar Immudi Ketti Mudali. This
inscription is inscribed in two stones
in which 1-10 lines are in one stone and 11- 15 lines are in another
stone. This inscription records that,
Prakara or the circumambulatory path, Lord Shiva’s Shrine Nirutha mandapa,
Sikaram ( Vimana ?), Ambal Vedhanayaki’s shrine Sanctum Sanctorum, ardha
mandapam, Maha mandapam, Kumarar Temple ( Subramaniyar ?), Vasantha Mandapam,
Gopuram, walls, Yaga Sala and Shasrara
Linga ( 1008 Linga on one Linga ) are established.
The 18th Century ( 1741
CE ) inscription belongs to Mysore Wodeyar Krishna Raja Wodeyar. This
inscription records that during Mysore Wodeyar’s Chieftain / Thalavai
Devarasaiyan and an official Nanjaraya Wodeyar, their period Ambal Panmozhiammai Temples Prakara /
Thirunadaimalaigai was constructed by
Ananda Naranan’s Son Bhavani Koodal Seshaiyan.
This inscription further records that this was done by the sthapathi
Veeraraghava Achari’s brother Seshachari.
This 18th Century
inscription belongs to Immudi Ketti Mudali. As per the inscription, the Ambal
Pannar Mozhi Amman’s sannidhi ardha mandapam was built by Immudi
Ketti Mudali’s wife and the sthapathi is Narayana Achari, who is the son
of Kuruva Achari and bother of Rangappa Achari. Another Inscription in the mandapa mentions as
Chinnammal Sathasevai.
A 17th Century Krishna
Devaraya period inscription mentions the
Governor’s name as Vaalarasa Wodeyar. To satisfy him a person called
Seeman Thiruvala Nandan son of Chennarasan, constructed the Compound wall of
the temple. The first part of the inscription is in the form of a poem in Venba
style.
வானிகூ டல்பதிக்கு வாலரா சன்மகிழ்
ஆன திருமதிளுண் டாக்கினான் – நாநிலமெண்
சென்னரா சன்புதல்வன் சீமான் திருவகைந்
தன்மரா சன்அருளால் தான்
ஆன திருமதிளுண் டாக்கினான் – நாநிலமெண்
சென்னரா சன்புதல்வன் சீமான் திருவகைந்
தன்மரா சன்அருளால் தான்
The 1689 CE inscription on the
Subramaniyar Sannidhi adhistanam, records the construction of Vahana – Peacock mandapa and the peacock, by one
Kanthappan who is the grand son of Kanthappa Pillai and son of Aththiyanna
Pillai, belongs to Athreya Gothram.
The 11th January, 1804 CE
East India Company’s inscription records that, a gift of a Ivory tusk cot by
the W Garrow. The legend behind that
goes like this…
Since foreigners were not allowed to
enter inside the temple, William Garrow, who was the Collector of Coimbatore, had
the darshan of Ambal from out side through holes made on the wall opposite to
Ambal’s shrine. On one rainy night he was sleeping in his bungalow. He
happened to see a small girl was calling him to come out side. When he
came out side, the room/ bungalow collapsed immediately and found the Girl
was also disappeared. He concluded that the small Girl must be none other
than Ambal Vedanayagi. As a token of thanks giving for saving his
life, William Garrow gifted a cot made of ivory tusk to Ambal
shrine on 11-01-1804.
Hope W Garrow might have worshiped Ambal Vedhanayagi through this Holes on the wall.
The 17th Century
inscription stone opposite to Perumal Temple Thayar Sannidhi, records the
construction of Vimanam over the Sanctum Sanctorum of Soundaravalli Thayar
Sannidhi and ardha mandapam. This was done by Narayana Gounder. One of the
record mentions that this Narayana Gounder was the brother -in-law of Ketti mudali.
The Fragment stone inscriptions
recorded on the Gopuram, Amman Temple,
Kumarar Temple, Gayathri Mandapam, Padithurai and Perumal Temple, mentions the persons who had done thirupani to
this temple… Anthiyur Kanakkar / Accountants Chellappar, Kembanan, Poongothai,
Nallathambi Deivanayagam, Thirupani Maniyam Abath Sahayan, Kunjan Servai’s son
Kumma Nattuvan, Villavan, Sathyabama Ammal, Periya Pattanam Ramaiyar,
Narayanaiyar. Poongothai was the wife of Paththarpadi Emberuman Kavirayar who
composed Thakkai Ramayanam. Ketti Mudali also composed literature along with
Chinnammaiar. This inscriptions also
mentions about Naivedyam, Donation of a Village as Thiruvidaiyattam, Poojas,
Construction of steps etc,.
A 1904, 20th Century
inscription near the padithurai, records the steps taken to prevent the pollution in the
river through washing the cloths animals, etc, by the Panchayat President T S A
Rangasamy Chetti. The inscription reads as…
This is one of the parihara sthalam
for Raghu and kethu. It is believed that if one Pray Lord Shiva will get a
boon, to remove marriage obstacles, Sevvai dosham, Naga dosha, Navagraha
dosha, etc. It is also believed that to get rid of Raghu and Kethu
doshas, people do abhishekam to Sahasrara Linga.
- விளம்பரம்
- இதனால் எல்லோருக்
- கும் தெரிவிப்பது கா
- வேரியாற்றில் சு
- டு காட்டுதுறை வரை து
- ணி துவைப்பது ஆ
- டு மாடு கழுவுவது
- பாத்திரம் தேய்ப்ப
- து ஆகிய எந்த அ
- சங்கியமும் செய்
- வோருக்கு ரூ 50 க்கு
- குறையாத அபறா
- தம் விதிக்கப்ப
- டும் TSA ரங்கசா
- மி செட்டி சேர்மன்
LEGEND
Lord Shiva gave darshan to Kubera in
the form of Swayambhu Linga under the sthala Viruksha jujuba Tree.
Jwarahareswarar shrine…. There
is an unique feature of this temple is the Jwarahareswarar worship. Devotees
offer Rice, Pepper Rasam and Arai Keerai Kootu ( mixture of spinach & dhal
) to Jwarahareswarar to get relieved from fever. They also offer pepper and
cumin seeds to get rid of chronic gastric ailments and worship with bilva
leaves.
POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart from regular poojas, 13 days car festival in the Tamil month Chithirai ( April – May ), Adiperukku ( Tamil month’s Aadi, 18th day – when the Mettur dam is open water in Cauvery river for the delta irrigation ), New moon days, on Eclipse days, English & Tamil New Year days, Pongal in Thai month and Deepavali are celebrated in a grand manner.
Apart from regular poojas, 13 days car festival in the Tamil month Chithirai ( April – May ), Adiperukku ( Tamil month’s Aadi, 18th day – when the Mettur dam is open water in Cauvery river for the delta irrigation ), New moon days, on Eclipse days, English & Tamil New Year days, Pongal in Thai month and Deepavali are celebrated in a grand manner.
TEMPLE TIMINGS
The temple will be kept open from 06.00 hrs to 13.00 hrs and 16.30 hrs to 20.30 hrs.
The temple will be kept open from 06.00 hrs to 13.00 hrs and 16.30 hrs to 20.30 hrs.
CONTACT DETAILS :
The Land line and mobile numbers are +91 4256 230192 and +91 98432 48588. Temple’s Web site : http://www.bhavanisangameswarartemple.tnhrce.in/
The temple is about 2.5 KM from Bhavani Bus Stand.
Frequent buses are available from ERODE, Perundurai, Mettur, Salem and Gobichettipalayam.
The temple is about 16 KM from Erode, 31 KM from Perundurai, 34 KM from Gobichettipalayam, 64 KM from Salem, 100 KM from Coimbatore and about 420 KM from the State Capital Chennai ( Madras )
Nearest Railway station is Erode.
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE :
CLICK HERE
Temple complex view
Moolavar Vimanam view from Sthalaviruksham
Ilanthai maram / Jujubi Tree
Temple complex view
North side Rajagopuram after sunset
Rajagopuram on the south side - River side
Sahasrara linga Shrine
Solar and Lunar eclipse
Saptamatrikas
Saptamatrikas
Dakshinamurthy
Cauvery River
with bathing view
Devotees Taking holy water from Cauvery River for Temple consecration
Sun set - Bhavani river
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---
