Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam | 214th Shiva Sthalams(One of the Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam) |
Region | Chola Naadu - South |
Chola Naadu - South | 97th Shiva Sthalam |
Pathigam | Saint Thirunavukarasar (Appar) |
HISTORY:
This
ancient temple is on the banks of the river Kudamurutti. Earlier this river’s
name was “Kaduvai”, hence this place gets the name Kaduvai Karai Puthur.
“Karai” means bank and “Puthur” means village in Tamil. However, now this place
is called Andankoil.
Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi:
It
is believed that Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi chose this place as a resting
place since it is a quaint village. They were attracted by its richness and
fertility. The Ganges was brought here by the lord. Goddess Parvathi performed
abhishekam to Lord Shiva using the Ganges water and worshiped him by making
offerings of flowers and gold. Hence the lord here is praised as “Sri Sempon
Nathar” ("sempon" means gold in Tamil).
Chola King Musukundha Chakravarthy:
When
the Chola King Musukundha Chakravarthy was building a temple for Lord
Thiyagaraja in Thiruvarur, his minister Sunda Devar was assigned the task of
procuring the construction material. When Sunda Devar reached this place for
buying some goods, it had become dark. Sundadevar had made it a habit to go to
a temple and seek the darshan of Lord Shiva before having dinner. However, he
was told by the villagers that there was no temple here. As he could not
worship the lord, he did not eat and sat under a tree to take rest. Lord Shiva
appeared in his dream and said that there was a Shivalingam under a Vanni tree
nearby. The lord did not want his devotee to sleep without having his food. So
the lord advised him to worship that Shivalingam and have his dinner.
Sundadevar
wanted to build a small temple where the Shivalingam was found. He started
squirrelling some stones and mortar from each cart that was meant to go to
Thiruvarur. Using this material, he built this temple. Later, the minister told
the story to the king and requested him to visit this temple. After seeing the
temple, the king demanded the minister to pay for the cost incurred and also
the “karma” that he had earned by building this temple.
The
minister replied that he could not part with the karma but he was willing to
pay for it with his life. The king was not convinced. He said that since the
temple was built using stolen material, he should be punished. The king ordered
his men to behead the minister in front of the temple itself. King Musukundha’s
men executed the order. While falling, the last word that was uttered by the
minister was - “Andava” (“oh my lord”). The king then realized that he had
killed a true Shiva devotee and wanted to severe his own head as a repayment
for his sin. At this point, it is believed that Lord Shiva appeared before the
king and stopped him from killing himself. Further, the lord restored the
minister’s life. Hence, this place is named “Aandavankoil” which has later been
changed to Aandankoil. On a pillar in this temple, there is a relief that
depicts this incident.
People who worshipped here:
Sage
Kasyaba, Roma Maharishi, King Musukundha Chakravarthy, his minister Sundadevar
and Saint Thirunavukkarasar have worshiped Lord Shiva here.
SALIENT
FEATURE:
·
This east facing
temple with main tower (Rajagopuram) has 5-tiers.
·
The shrines of
Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy are a few feet above the ground level.
·
The Sthala
Vinayakar in this temple is praised as “Sri Kumbakarna Vinayakar”.
·
There are many
beautiful idols in this temple like those of Lord Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar
and Saneeswarar.
·
There are two
idols of Lord Dakshinamurthy here.
·
Behind the
sanctum sanctorum, on either sides of Lord Lingothbavar, there are idols of
Lord Mahavishnu and Lord Brahma in a worshipping posture. Devotees can enjoy
the darshan of all the three lords (Trimurthys) – Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.
This is considered to be very auspicious.
·
In front of the
hall of Goddess Parvathy’s shrine, on the ceiling, 12 zodiac signs (Raasi) are
carved beautifully in stone. It is believed that by standing under one’s
respective zodiac sign and praying to the goddess, one’s wishes will be
fulfilled.
·
It is believed
that this temple was originally built by a minister in the Chola king
Musukundha Chakravarthy’s court. Later this temple was completely renovated and
reconstructed using granite by the “Nattukkottai Nagarathaar”. They are also
the current trustees of this temple.
·
The front hall
has many beautiful pillars that are engraved with many sculptures. These
sculptures are taken from various themes in Hindu mythology
·
In his hymn,
Saint Thirunavukkarasar refers to this place as “Kaduvaikkarai Thenputhur”. In
all his stanzas, he has also mentioned that he was fortunate enough to get the
lord’s darshan here.
TEMPLE INFORMATION:
|
Moolavar |
Sri Swarnapureeswarar, Sri Sempon Nathar |
|
Ambal |
Sri Swarnambikai, Sri Sivambigai, Sri Sivasekari,
Sri Poornambikai |
|
Theertham |
Thirisula Gangai, Sorna Gangai (well), river
Kudamurutti |
|
Sthala
Vriksham |
Vanni tree |
BELIEF:
It
is believed that Lord Suryan (Sun) worships Lord Shiva of this temple by
directing his rays on the lingam every year for three days from 11th to
13th in the Tamil month of Chithirai (April-May). Special Surya poojas are
performed during this period.
|
Tamil Month |
English Month |
Festival Name |
|
Aadi |
July-Aug |
Aadi Pooram |
|
Avani |
Aug-Sept |
Vinayakar
Chaturthi |
|
Purattasi |
Sep-Oct |
Navarathri |
|
Aippasi |
Oct–Nov |
Skanda Shashti
and Annabishekam |
|
Karthikai |
Nov-Dec |
Thiru
Karthikai |
|
Markazhi |
Dec-Jan |
Thiruvadhirai |
|
Maasi |
Feb-Mar |
Maha Shivrathri |
|
Panguni |
Mar-Apr |
Panguni
Uthiram |
HOW
TO REACH:
Kaduvaikarai
Puthur (Andan koil) is situated at a distance of about 12 kms from Kumbakonam
on the Kumbakonam – Kudavasal – Valangaiman route. It is about 2 kms southeast
of Valangaiman.
TEMPLE
ADDRESS:
Sri Swarnapureeswarar
Temple,
Kaduvaikarai Puthur (Aandankoil),
Valangaiman,
Thiruvarur,
Tamil Nadu-612 804.
LOCATION:
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