Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam | 261th Shiva Sthalams(One of the Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam) |
Region | Kongu Naadu |
Kongu Naadu | 3nd Shiva Sthalam |
Pathigam | Saint Thirugnanasambanthar |
HISTORY:
Bhavani
Sangameshwarar temple is an ancient one, having been built by the first Pallava
King, Mahendra Verman. The bird’s eye view of this temple shows it as an island
surrounded by the two rivers.
It
is also said that a British dignitary by the name of William Garo donated a swing
/ cradle (Oonjal) made of ivory after he miraculously escaped from the collapse
of his Rest house in the year 1802. He felt that he was saved by the
Goddess herself and became an ardent devotee after this incident. His signature
can be seen on the frame of the cradle.
Kuberan worshiped the Lord here:
Kuberan,
the lord of wealth was visiting various Shiva temples when he saw an Ilandhai
tree on the banks of Cauvery. He was astonished to see that a deer, a tiger, a
cow, an elephant, a snake and a rat were drinking water without any sign of
enmity. He felt that the peace and prosperity of this place could be due
to the worship and penance performed by the holy men (Gandharvas) who inhabited
this place.
Kuberan
heard a voice from the sky saying that this was the place where the Vedas had
originated and that he would find a Shivalingam beneath the Ilandhai tree. He
was also advised to worship the Shivalingam to seek the Lord’s blessings.
Kuberan worshiped the Lord and was blessed with a darshan. The tree is still
there and bears a lot of fruits.
Sage Vishwamithrar:
This
place is that Sage Vishwamithrar is said to have installed another lingam on
the banks of the river and worshipped it by chanting the Gayathri Mantram.
Hence this lingam is called “Gayathri Lingam”.
SALIENT
FEATURE:
·
The town, the
Goddess of this temple and the nearby river all have the same name - Bhavani.
·
Bhavani is
mentioned in the Hymns as Thiru Nana whereas it is now
called Kooduthurai by the locals.
·
The temple was
built at the confluence of rivers Cauvery, Bhavani and ‘Amutha Nathi’, an
invisible underground water source. So the Lord Shiva here is called as Sri
Sangameswarar (Sangamam meaning confluene).
·
The temple is
situated at the foothill of Padma Giri and is surrounded by four hills - Naga
Giri, Veda Giri, Mangala Giri and Sanga Giri.
·
The temple has a
beautiful five-tiered main tower (Rajagopuram)
·
Bhavani is a
famous Sthalam for performing rituals to satiate one’s ancestors. Here
Parikarams are also conducted for all dhoshams, including Nagadhosham.
·
During Adi
Perukku day, large number of devotees can be seen taking a dip at the junction
of rivers Cauvery and Bhavani.
·
Daily Komadha
Pooja (Cow pooja) is performed in this temple for the welfare of the populace.
Cows are revered in Hindu mythology because every body part of a cow is
attributed to a separate Hindu gods or goddesses.
·
Lord
Dakshinamoorthy’s shrine is beautifully architected with intricate reliefs and
iconographical sculptures.
·
The procession
idols of all the 63 Nayanmars are beautifully arranged on a few steps
(displayed like a “Navratri Golu”). Surprisingly, Thirumuruga Kripananda
Vaariyaar also finds his place as the 64th Nayanmar.
·
There are two
identical stone statues in front of the Ambal shrine. When water or milk is
poured on them, it looks as if one of the idols is smiling while the other is
shedding a tear. This exemplifies the artistic excellence of the era.
TEMPLE INFORMATION:
|
Moolavar |
Sri Sangamuganatheswarar / |
|
Ambal |
Sri Vedhanayaki / Sri Sangameswari |
|
Theertham |
Cauvery, Bhawani, Surya, Deva and Gayatri
Theertham |
|
Sthala
Vriksham |
Ilanthai (Jujuba Tree) |
BELIEF:
It
is believed that those who take a dip at the confluence spot of rivers Cauvery
and Bhavani during the Solar and Lunar Eclipse can attain moksham (salvation).
It
is also believed that worshiping the Amirtha Lingam in this temple can grant
the boon of childbirth to couples.
Taking
a dip in the river and performing rites during Amavasyas, especially, Thai
Amavasya and eclipse days are traditionally followed in this temple.
TEMPLE
FESTIVAL:
|
Tamil Month |
English Month |
Festival Name |
|
Chithirai |
Apr-May |
13 day Car
festival (Ther) |
|
Aadi |
July-Aug |
18 day Aadi Perukku |
|
Panguni |
Mar-Apr |
Panguni Uthiram |
|
Thai |
Jan-Feb |
Thai Poosam |
|
Aipasi |
Oct-Nov |
Skanda
Sashti – Soora Samharam |
HOW
TO REACH:
Bhavani
is 16 kms away from Erode and about 55 kms away from Selam. The nearest Railway
station for Bhavani is Erode. It is on the main Chennai-Trichi-Coimbatore
bypass route. Nearest Airport is at Coimbatore which is 100 kms away.
TEMPLE
ADDRESS:
Sri Sangameswarar Temple,
Bhavani Kudal,
Bhavani,
Erode District.
Tamil Nadu - 638 301.
LOCATION:
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