Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam | 91st Shiva Sthalams(One of the Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam) |
Region | Chola Naadu - North |
Chola Naadu - North | 37th Shiva Sthalam |
Pathigam | Saint Thirugnanasambanthar, Saint Thirunavukarasar (Appar) |
HISTORY:
In 970 AD, this temple
was reconstructed using stones during the reign of King Uthama Chola by his
mother, Queen Sembiyan Madevi (wife of Chola King Gandaradithyan).
The Sthala Viruksham of
this temple is Perambu plants. In Sanskrit, it is called “Vedhra Viruksham”,
hence the lord here is praised as “Sri Vedhravaneswarar” (“vanam” means forest
and “Eswarar” means the lord in Tamil).
This is one of the five
sthalams whose name ends with “Ka”. (“Ka” means “a beautiful garden” in Tamil).
They are – Thiruvanikka, Thirukkodikka, Thirukkolakka, Thiru Nellikka and Thiru
Kurakkukka.
It is believed that the
temple was once surrounded by beautiful gardens. Hence this place gets the name
“Kotikka” and the lord is praised as “Sri Koteeswarar”.
Muppaththu
Mukkodi Devarkal:
All the 3 crores devas,
sages and the angels of Hindu mythology (“Muppaththu Mukkodi Devarkal” in
Tamil) have visited this temple and worshipped the lord. It is believed that
the angels obtained salvation (“Sayujya Mukthi”) here.
While granting his
darshan to the Devas, Lord Thirukoteeswarar emphasised the sacredness of
“Vedhravana Kshetram” (another name for Thirukkodikaval) and the Theerthams
therein. The lord further said that “This, my kshetram here, is also known as
“Bhaavagam”. It is situated on the banks of Cauvery theertham and it is very
sacred. This kshetram is equal to my body. This tank, Sirungothbava Theertham,
was created by Nandhi using his horns. Whoever takes a dip in it, is sure to be
relieved of all distress and diseases (`rogam’ in Tamil)”.
The lord further
clarified that once when Mount Kailash and Thirukkodikkaval were placed on a
balance, the latter weighed more thereby proving its greatness.
Azhwars:
The Azhwars (Vaishnava
adiyarkals) were asked by Lord Venkatachalapathi of Thirupathi to worship
Goddess Thripurasundari here before offering worship at Thirupathi. They could
not reach this place as the river Cauveri was heavily flooded at that time.
Sage Agasthyar appeared before them and advised them to pray to Lord
“Karaiyetrum Vinayakar” to help them cross the river. The goddess is believed
to have granted her darshan in the form of Lord Venkatachalapathi.
Lord
Yama:
Lord Yama worshipped
Lord Shiva here. Lord Shiva is believed to have instructed Lord Yama that he
should not punish any of his devotees who visit Thirukkodikkaval and worship
him here. Similar to Banaras, the people of Thirukkodikkaval do not fear the
lord of death. It is also believed that there are 1008 devas surrounding Lord
Shiva here and hence, there is no cremation ground (“Rudra Bhoomi”) in this
village. The villagers are using the ground which is on the other side of the
river bank.
Saint
Haradhathar:
Haradhathar was born in
a Vaishnav family in Kanchanur, a nearby village. He later became an ardent
Lord Shiva devotee. He used to visit 7 Shiva temples (Thiruvalankadu,
Thiruvavaduthuri, Aduthurai, Thirumangalakkudi, Thirumanthurai, Thirukkodikka
and Kanchanur) every day before taking his dinner. One day when he left this temple,
there was heavy rain and in the darkness, he was unable to find the way back to
his village. It is believed that Lord Shiva came in the guise of a villager and
took him to Kanchanur. Haradhathar offered the prasad which he got from
Kanchanur temple to that villager. When he visited this temple the next day, he
was surprised to see that the food he had given to the villager last night was
placed in front of the lord. Haradhathar realised that the villager was none
other than Lord Shiva himself.
Sages
Dhurvasar and Agasthiyar:
Sages Dhurvasar and
Agasthiyar visited this place and had performed penance. It is also believed
that Ram, Balaramar, Veerabhadrar and Kaali have worshiped the lord here to
seek absolution for their sins. Also, Saint Karaikkal Ammaiyar is believed to
have worshiped the lord here.
Sage Agasthiyar is
believed to have installed a Vinayakar here made out of sand and worshiped him.
This Vinayakar is known as “Sri Karaiyetrum Vinayakar”.
“Sakthi
Upasagar” and “Sri Bhaskaracharya”:
The “Sakthi Upasagar”,
Sri Bhaskaracharya (1690- 1785) lived in an adjacent village called
Bhaskararajapuram. It is believed that he composed the book, "Sowbhagya
Bhaskaram" in Goddess Thiripurasundari’s shrine in this temple. This book
explains the meaning and significance of Lalitha Sahasranamam. It is believed
that his “bhashyam” (explanations) was approved by Goddess Parvathy and was
introduced to the world.
SALIENT
FEATURE:
· Lord Vinayakar is praised as “Sri Karaiyetrum Vinayakar” meaning that he would be a guide for those facing hardships and difficulties.
· It is believed that Lord Suryan (Sun) worships Lord Shiva of this temple by directing his rays on the lingam for three days - 19th to 21st in the Tamil month of Aadi (Jul-Aug).
· It is believed that Queen Sembiyan Madevi, wife of Chola King Gandaradithyan, offered gold equal to her weight (“Dhulabara Nerthi”) to the lord of this temple. She started the practice of making offerings equal to one’s weight.
· There are many beautifully carved sculptures in this temple. Of these sculptures, those of Kamadenu, Karpaka Viruksham and Lord Krishna are especially worth mentioning. Other sculptures and reliefs depict battlefields involving war horses and elephants and everyday scenes of women dancing and playing musical instruments.
· Here Lord Saneeswarar is known as Bala Sani. He is holding a Shivalingam on his head and has “Garudan” as his mount.
· It is believed that performing meditation, yagna and prayers in this temple would yield triple benefits.
· This temple is considered to be significant for its three important attributes – Moorthy, Sthalam and Theertham - glory of Lord, sacredness of the land and the auspicious temple tank.
· The sanctum sanctorum of this temple is in the form of semi-circular tank (“akazhi” in Tamil).
· The maestro of Carnatic music, Sri Semmangudi Sreenivasa Iyer was born here.
TEMPLE INFORMATION:
|
Moolavar |
Sri
Kodeeswarar, Sri Vedhravaneswarar |
|
Ambal |
Sri
Thiripurasundari, Sri Vadivambikai |
|
Theertham |
Sirungothbava
Theertham, Cauvery river, Mukkodi Theertham |
|
Sthala
Vriksham |
Pirambu
(cane variety) |
BELIEF:
The Cauvery flows here
as Uthiravahini (south to north direction). Taking a dip in the river and the
theertham before worshiping the lord and goddess here in the Tamil month of
Karthigai (Nov-Dec) is considered very auspicious. It is believed that by doing
so one would be absolved of all their sins.
It is believed that
worshiping the lord on a Pradosham day would yield the same benefit of
conducting the grand “Ashvametha yagna”.
Since both Yama and
Chitragupta can be worshiped together here, devotees believe that by worshiping
them they would be relieved of “Yama Bhayam” (fear of death).
|
Tamil Month |
English Month |
Festival Name |
|
Avani |
Aug-Sept |
Vinayakar
Chathurthi |
|
Maasi |
Feb-Mar |
Maha Shivrathri |
|
Thai |
Jan-Feb |
Makara
Sankranthi |
|
Karthikai |
Nov-Dec |
Thirukarthikai |
|
Purattasi |
Sep-Oct |
Navarathri |
|
Aippasi |
Oct–Nov |
Skanda
Shashti and Annabishekam |
|
Markazhi |
Dec-Jan |
Thiruvadhirai |
HOW
TO REACH:
Thirukkodikkaval is
located at a distance of about 19 kms from Kumbakonam on the Kumbakonam to Mayiladuthurai
route (Via Kathiramangalam) and 17 kms from Mayiladuthurai.
It is about 5 kms from
Suryanarkoil (famous Navagraha Sthalam for Lord Suryan).
TEMPLE
ADDRESS:
Sri Koteeswarar Temple,
Thirukkodikkaval,
Narasinganpettai Via,
Thiruvidaimaruthur,
Tanjore,
Tamil Nadu – 609 802.
LOCATION:
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