Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam | 119th Shiva Sthalams(One of the Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam) |
Region | Chola Naadu - South |
Chola Naadu - South | 2nd Shiva Sthalam |
Pathigam | Saint Thirunavukarasar (Appar) |
HISTORY:
Kadambar
Koil is an important Shiva temple located in a village named Kulithalai near
Karur and Trichy cities in South India. This temple is also called as
Kadambanthurai.
The
temple has a big five storey tower and a mandapa in the front side. The sanctum
sanctorum has the big Shiv Linga idol facing the north direction. The ardha
mandapa has a slightly bigger idol of Ganesha. The Goddess is found in a
separate shrine facing the east direction. It is located outside the maha
mandapa. The flag post (dwajastambha), bali peetha and Nandi idols are found
separately in front of both the shrines. There is a small bas-relief image of
Paramanathar facing the Goddess shrine.
The
temple has two prakaras (corridors around the main shrine). The outer wall of
the main shrine has the Goshta idols (relief images) of Dakshinamurthy,
Annamalaiyar and Brahma. Chandikeshwarar's small shrine is also found as usual.
The first prakara has the idols of 63 Nayanmars, Nalvar, Navagraha, Ganesha,
Subramanya with his consorts, few Nagas, few Shiv Lingas, Surya and Agora
Veerabhadra. There are few shrines for some deities such as Somaskanda, Utsav
idols, Gaja Lakshmi, Ganesha with just two hands and Subramanya along with his
consorts. The Bhairava idol is very popular among the locals.The second prakara
is an open space. There are no idols or shrines located here except for a
divine tree and few idols below the tree.
The
temple graced by Lord Anugnai Vinayaka has its Vimana – tower above the sanctum
sanctorum – is of Tridala design. The Rajagopura has five tiers. Lord Shiva is
facing north while Lord Dakshinamurthy on the Koshta (wall around the sanctum)
is facing south. Lord Chandikeswara is facing west against traditional south
and Lord Brahamma east against north. Lord Muruga with His consorts Valli and
Deivanai are above the Navagrahas - the nine planets to facilitate worshipping
of those affected by Mars planet adverse aspects. Lord Muruga is the deity of
Planet Mars. There is also a separate shrine for Sani Bhagwan-Saturn.
Saptha
Kannikas:
Saptha
Kannikas, the Seven Virgins prayed to Lord Shiva to protect them from the sins
caused by killing demon Doomralochana. Lord Shiva is believed to be their
security in this place. He also destroyed the demon. Devotees consider Mother
Chamundi here as Mother Durga. Hence, there is no special shrine for Mother
Durga. Worships to Mother Durga are offered in Shiva shrine itself. Pujas
during Rahukala time are performed to Lord Shiva and Mother Durga
simultaneously.
Lord Shiva graces as Vamadeva Swyambu (facing north). Cauvery flows in front of
the temple. Remembering the occasion of Lord Shiva granting darshan to the
Saptha Kannikas, Lord visits Cauvery with Mother Ambica.
Mother
Muttrila Mulai Ammai graces from a shrine facing east. Paramanathar is the
guardian deity of this shrine with his hand on the forehead in a saluting form.
Lord Muruga:
Lord
Muruga worshipped Lord Shiva here for washing off the sin caused by killing of
demon Surapanma. He graces from a shrine in the prakara with His consorts Valli
and Deivanai with His six faces, described by Saint Arunagiriar as Lord of six
military camps attributed to Him. Lord Lingodhbava is on the Sanctum
Koshta-wall around the shrine.
Two Natarajas:
There are two Natarajas with Muyalagan under one and one without. Crescent moon shines on the head. Devas of the celestial world appealed to Mother Ambica to protect them from the atrocities of Demon Doomralochana. Mother took the form of Durga and fought with the demon. As his boons were very strong, he fought with equal might with Mother. Mother began to feel weak. Lord Shiva deputed Saptha Kannikas to fight him. The demon could not stand their force and hid himself in the hermitage of Maharshi Kathyayana. The virgins mistook the Rishi as the demon and eliminated him and thus incurred Brahmmahathi dosha – a sin that would make the sinner dark with a gruesome face. As advised by Ambika, they performed penance on Lord Shiva and got relieved of the sin when Lord granted them darshan from the Kadamba tree.
SALIENT
FEATURE:
·
It is considered
as one of the five Kamba shrines installed by Lord Subramanya. The other four
shrines are Kovil Kadambar, Aadi Kadambar, Ilankadambanoor and
Perunkadambanoor.
·
The site was
named as Brahmapuram as Lord Brahma conducted the chariot festival here.
·
Vishnu prayed to
Shiva prior to recovering the Vedas from Somasuran; hence the site was also
called as Chaturvedapuri.
·
Muthuswamy
Deekshitar's Kriti Neelakantham Bhaje sings the glory of this shrine.
·
As per the
legend, the Sapta Kannis were cursed by Katyayana rishi; they got rid of their
curse after worshiping the Lord here; hence, the bas-relief images of Sapta
Kannis are installed behind the idol of Shiv Linga in the main shrine.
·
There is a
saying - "Morning Kadambar, afternoon Thiruvatpokki and evening Thirueengoinathar"
which signifies visiting three temples in one day.
·
The main shrine
faces north which is very rare. Hence, it is named as Dakshina Kashi.
·
The God appeared
before Kanva rishi under the Kadamba tree.
·
The original
temple might have been built by the Cholas; however, it was renovated later.
·
There are two
Natarajar, of one is with muyalakan and other without muyalakan.
TEMPLE INFORMATION:
|
Moolavar |
Sri Kadambavaneswarar, Sri Kadambavana Nathar |
|
Ambal |
Sri Bala Kujalambal, Sri Mutrillamulayal |
|
Theertham |
Brahma Theertham |
|
Sthala
Vriksham |
Kadamba Tree |
BELIEF:
Lords
of 7 Shiva temples around the place visit Cauvery the same day, same time. It
is a rare opportunity for the devotees to worship 8 Lord Shivas simultaneously.
The first part of Aipasi Tula Snanam (bathing in Cauvery in October-November is
followed devotionally here with Kalai Kadambar (morning) Sokkar (midday) and
Eengoinathar (evening) worships. Morning worship is considered very beneficial
with multiple profits including the one of worshiping the Lord in Kasi in
north. The place also has the reputation of being called Dakshina Kasi – Kasi
of South.
People
perform abishek to Paramanathar with honey and offer porridge made of Pasi
corn, praying Him to be a guardian of their houses too.
Women
believe that Lord Shiva would be their constant protector and submit all their
grievances at His feet.
|
Tamil Month |
English Month |
Festival Name |
|
Vaikasi |
May-June |
Vaikasi Visakam |
|
Aippasi |
Oct–Nov |
Skanda
Shashti |
|
Thai |
Jan-Feb |
Thai Poosam |
|
Maasi |
Feb-Mar |
Maha Shivrathri |
|
Maasi |
Feb-Mar |
13 day Brahmotsavam |
|
Panguni |
Mar-Apr |
Panguni Uthiram |
HOW
TO REACH:
This
sivasthalam temple is located 2 Kms from Kulitalai railway station which is
situated on the Karur - Tiruchirapalli section of the Southern Railway. This
sivasthalam is 23 Kms from Karur and 55 Kms from Trichy.
TEMPLE
ADDRESS:
Sri Kadamba Vaneswarar
Temple,
Kulithalai,
Karur,
Tamil Nadu - 639 104.
LOCATION:
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