53. SRI IRAVADESWARAR TEMPLE AT THIRU KOTTARU (THIRUKKOTTARAM)

Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam	170th Shiva Sthalams(One of the Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam)
Region	Chola Naadu - South
Chola Naadu - South	53rd Shiva Sthalam
Pathigam	Saint Thirugnanasambanthar

HISTORY:

Iraavadam, the white elephant of Lord Indhra, disrespected Sage Dhurvasar. One day, after finishing his daily worship in Kasi, Sage Dhurvasar met Lord Indra who was coming in his ceremonial procession.  Sage Dhurvasar offered him a lotus flower which had been adorned on the lord. Without giving any respect, Indra took the flower and placed it on his white elephant which the elephant then removed and threw on the ground. The sage was angered by this and cursed the elephant to became an ordinary wild elephant. To seek relief from this curse, Iraavadam visited many Shiva temples.

Kottaram is one such place that Iraavadam visited. It is believed that he created the river “Kottaru” by striking the clouds with his tusk and making the rain pour down. It is believed that he worshiped the lord with water from this river.  (“Kotu” means tusk and “Aru” means river in Tamil). Hence this place gets the name Kottaru and the lord is praised as “Sri Iraavadeswarar”. This river is also known as Vanchiyaru. After worshiping Lod Shiva at many places, it is believed that Iraavadam was finally relieved of the curse at the Sri Sundareswarar temple in Madurai.

This ancient temple is situated on the banks of river Vaanchiyaru. As per the stone inscriptions available here, this temple was built by the Chola King Kulothungan and the lord’s name is mentioned as “Rajendra Chozheeswaramudaiya Mahadevar”.

Subhaka Maharishi:

Aa sage called Subhaka Maharishi. He used to visit this temple daily to worship Lord Shiva. One day he was late and by the time he reached the temple, the door was closed. It is believed that he took the form of a honey bee and entered into the temple. He worshiped the lord and stayed back there itself. It is believed that since then a beehive remains in this temple’s sanctum wall. The idol of Sage Subhaka Maharishi can be seen in the corridor.

People who worshipped here:

It is believed that apart from Iraavadam, the lord of this temple has been worshiped by Lord Indra, Sage Agasthiyar and Sage Subhaka Maharishi.

SALIENT FEATURE:

·        This east facing temple has a 3-tiered main tower (Rajagopuram).

·        It is said that every year honey would be taken out from the beehive in the sanctum and “abhishekam” would be performed using it. However, this beehive is not there now.

·        In his hymn of this temple, Saint Thirugnanasambanthar mentioned about the elephant Iraavatham’s worship and the river that he created.

TEMPLE INFORMATION:

Moolavar	Sri Iraavadeswarar
Ambal	Sri Vandamar Poonguzhali Ammai, Sri Sugantha Kunthalambigai
Theertham	Surya Theertham and river Vaanchiyaru
Sthala Vriksham	Parijatha tree / Vilwam tree

BELIEF:

It is believed that those seeking wedding boon can pray to the lord here.

Devotees also worship Lord Shiva of this temple for prosperity and wisdom.

TEMPLE FESTIVAL:

Tamil Month	English Month	Festival Name
Vaikasi	May-June	Vaikasi Visakam
Markazhi	Dec-Jan	Thiruvadhirai

HOW TO REACH:

Thirukkottaram is situated near village Velangudi on the Kumbakonam to Karaikkal route (via Nedungadu). From Karaikkal, this place is at a distance of about 12 kms.

In Velangudi, there is a cross road with an entrance arch on the main road which leads to the temple. The temple is one kilometre away from this arch.

TEMPLE ADDRESS:

Sri Iravadeswarar Temple,
Thirukkottaram,
Nedungadu Via,
Nannilam,
Thiruvarur
Tamil Nadu – 609603.

LOCATION: