123. SRI KOLLILINATHAR TEMPLE TIRUKKOLILI

Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam	240th Shiva Sthalams(One of the Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam)
Region	Chola Naadu - South
Chola Naadu - South	123rd Shiva Sthalam
Pathigam	Saint Thirugnanasambanthar, Saint Thirunavukarasar (Appar) and Saint Sundaramurthy (Sundarar)

HISTORY:

Tirukkolili is one of the 7 Saptavitanka shrines of Tyagarajar, enshrining Avanivitankar; the natanam here is Bhringa Natanam. The seven Vitankastalam are Tiruvarur, Tirukkuvalai, Tirukkaaraivaasal, Tirumaraikkaadu, Tiru Naagai, Tirunallaaru and Tiruvaimur. 

Ettikkudi, a shrine dedicated to Subramanya is located nearby. Kundaiyur is a shrine located nearby, on the other shore of the Chandra Nadhi river. 

Tyagaraja here is associated with the Muchukunda Chola legend of Tiruvarur.  The image of Tyagarajar is believed to be one of the 7 from which Indra is believed to have asked Muchukunda Cholan to pick the original image of Somaskandar worshipped by Mahavishnu. . Muchukunda Cholan is believed to have picked the right one, and Indra is believed to have rewarded him with all of the 7 images, which the latter installed at 7 different places within his territory, and it is these 7 temples which constitute the 7 Vitankastalams.

Bhrama is said to have worshipped here prior to commencing the act of creation, hence Bhrama Tapovanam, Bhramapureeswarar. Since the sins of the 9 celestial bodies (Kol) were forgiven here, the name Tirukkolili came into being. The Navagrahas are enshrined in a straight row here as in Tiruvarur.

Bhima is said to have prayed for forgiveness for having slain Bakaasuran. Sundarar was blessed with rice grains here and this vast supply of grains was miraculously transported to Tiruvarur. An aged devotee from Kundaiyur intent upon travelling to Madurai was blessed with a vision of Meenakshi and Sundareswarar here.

There are inscriptions here from the period of the Imperial Cholas and Jatavarman Sundara Pandyan. Sundaramoorthy Nayanar with Paravai Nachiyar faces Tyagarajar as in Tiruvarur. The Bhrammapureeswarar, Tyagarajar and the Ambal shrines face east. Agasthyar is said to have worshipped Shiva here, and this lingam is enshrined in a separate temple in the complex. Images of Ardhanareeswarar, Mahavishnu, Natarajar, Nartana Vinayakar and those of the stalapuranam, depicting Bhramma worshipping Shiva - on the temple walls are of great beauty. Also of great beauty are the bronze images.

SALIENT FEATURE:

·        This temple covering an area of under 2 acres has two prakarams.

·        The Bhramma Theertham tank is situated in front of the temple.

·        The Shivalingam is a Prithvi Lingam (of fine white sand) as in Tiruvarur.

TEMPLE INFORMATION:

Moolavar	Sri Sundareswarar, Sri Tyagarajar
Ambal	Sri Meenakshi
Theertham	Bhrama Theertham
Sthala Vriksham	Vilvam

BELIEF:

Praying here gives relief from sins and forgiveness for the mistakes.

TEMPLE FESTIVAL:

Tamil Month	English Month	Festival Name
Vaikasi	May-June	Annual Brahmotsavam
Maasi	Feb-Mar	Maha Shivrathri
Maasi	Feb-Mar	Sundarar Utsavam -Maasi Magam

HOW TO REACH:

This paadal petra sthalam is located about 20 Kms from Tiruvarur.

TEMPLE ADDRESS:

Sri Kollilinathar Temple,

Tirukkolili,

Thiruvarur,

Tamil Nadu.

LOCATION: