Shaktimutram is situated at a distance of 8 kms from Kumbhakonam on Kumbhakonam - Avoor route. This is one of the padal pethra sthalam revered by the Shaiva saints Sambandhar and Appar. It is on the southern bank of Kaveri. The original temple must have existed even before the 7th century. The temple was renovated and built as a granite structure by Chola queen Sembian Mahadevi. Later renovation was done by Rajaraja Chola I. There are stone inscriptions in the temple dating back to Chola and Vijayanagar kings. This temple is very close to Patteeshwaram Shiva temple. This is also known as Chinnakovil among local people.
Moolavar: Shri Shaktivaneshwarar, Shri Shivakozhuntheeswarar, Shri Shaktithazhuviyanadar, Shri Thazhuvakkuhainthanadar
Devi: Shri Brihannayaki, Sri Periyanayaki
Sacred teertha: Shool teertha, Surya teertha
Kshetra vruksha: Bilva
Puranik name: Rajarajapuram, Siddhimutham, Shaktimutham, Thirushaktimutram
Kshetra purana:
1. According to puran, once Goddess Parvati wanted to establish that only devotion (bhakti) is the right way to attain mukti. Lord Shiva advised her to come to this place and perform penance. She came to the Shool teertha on the southern bank of Kaveri and performed rigorous penance. Lord Shiva wanted to test the extent of her devotion but Goddess Parvati did not sway away from her resolve. Finally Lord Shiva appeared as a column of fire (Jyoti roop). She instantly recognized him. She embraced and kissed him. Hence Lord Shiva is praised here as Shivakozhunthueeshwarar and the place is praised as Shaktimuttham. Even now we can observe the traces of jyoti (flame) on the Shiva Linga.
2. According to sthala purana, when Goddess Parvati was performing penance, Lord Shiva in order to test her, caused a flood in river Kaveri. The Shiva Linga created by Goddess Parvati was about to be destroyed by flood waters. At that time, she embraced Shiva Linga to protect him. Pleased with her devotion Lord Shiva appeared before her and blessed her. Hence Lord Shiva is praised here as Thazhuvakkuhainthanadar.
3. Another purana is associated with Shaiva saint Appar. He stayed here to be blessed with Thiruvadi-deeksha (blessing by placing the feet of Lord Shiva on the head of devotee)
4. According to Purana, once Shaiva saint Sambandhar wished to go to the nearby Patteeshwaram temple after offering prayer at this temple. As it was a peak hot summer day Lord Shiva created a pandal (mandap/ tent) with pearls. He sent it through his bhoot ganas for the saint Sambandhar.
Those who worshiped here: – Goddess Parvati, Sage Agastya, Shaiva saint Appar, Shaiva saint Sambandhar, Saint Arunagirinathar, Ramalinga adigal.
Special features:
1. Lord Shiva offered a pandal (shelter) lined with pearls to Shaiva saint Sambandhar at this place.
2. This place was once a part of Chola capital Pazhayarai.
3. As Goddess Parvati embraced Lord Shiva and kissed him, the place got the name Shaktimuttham. Later the place came to be known as Shaktimutram. This is depicted as a murti in the parikrama
4. There is a sculpture depicting Goddess Parvati performing penance standing on one leg.
5. Sage Arunagirinathar sang a sacred hymn on Lord Muruga of this temple
About the temple:
The temple covers an area of about 3 acres. This is an east facing temple with 5 tiered rajagopuram and 2 parikramas. At the entrance, we come across the shrine of Vallabhaganapati. In the outer parikrama, we have dhwajastambha, balipeetham, Nandi just after the rajagopuram facing the sanctum. Sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, artha mandap, maha mandap. The sanctum sanctorum is in the shape of a moat. The swayambhoo Shiva Linga is facing east. It has traces of Jyoti (Agni on it). At the entrance to the sanctum, on either side we come across the idols of Somaskandha and Sthalaadhikarmurti.
Kostha murtis: Lord Vinayaka, Sage Agastya, Lord Nataraja, Lord Dakshinamurti, Lord Brahma, Lord Lingothbhavar and Goddess Durga.
Shrine of Chandikeshwarar is in the usual position. Goddess Durga is depicted with conch and chakra in her hands and she is standing on the head of Mahishasura. There are 2 shrines for Goddess Parvati. On the northern side of sanctum sanctorum, she is in a separate shrine, she is depicted as embracing Lord Shiva (in the form of the Shiva linga). The idol is similar to one at Kanchipuram. Goddess Periyanayaki is in a separate south facing shrine in the inner parikrama. To reach inner parikrama, we have to go through a 2nd gopuram. At the entrance of this 2nd gopuram, we come across idols of Lord Muruga and Lord Vinayaka. Near the inner parikrama, there is a shrine for Lord Bramha (about 6 feet tall), shrine for Lord Subramanya with Valli and Deivanai on a peacock mount facing the east. The idols and shrines in inner parikrama are – Lord Ganesha, Lord Somaskanda, Shaiva saint Naalvar, Shiva linga worshiped by Sage Agastya, Lord Kashivishwanathar and Lord Nataraja, Lord Sarabheshwarar, Lord Surya, Lord Chandra, idols of Nagas, Lord Shanishwarar and Goddess Gajalaxmi. There is no Navagraha shrine in this temple.
Prayers:
1. Unmarried men and women worship the idol of Goddess Parvati embracing Lord Shiva for removal of marriage obstacles on Mondays.
2. Estranged couples worship here to get united again.
3. Devotees believe worshiping at this place eradicates sins.
4. Devotees worship here for child boon.
Poojas:
Daily pooja, Pradosh pooja, Sankatharachaturthi pooja, special poojas on new moon and full moon days and on Mondays of month of Karthigai
Important festivals:
Aani: On the first day of this month Shaiva saint Sambandhar’s MuthuPandal festival, Aani thirumanjanam
Aadi: Aadi pooram
Aavani: Ganesh Chaturthi
Purattasi: Navaratri
Aippasi: Annabhishek, Skanda shashthi
Karthigai: Thiru Karthigai, Special puja on Mondays
Margazhi: Thiruvathirai
Thai: Ratha saptami
Maasi: Mahashivaratri
Timing: 6.30 am to noon; 4-8.30pm
Address: Thirushaktimutram temple at post Patteeshwaram, Tal Kumbhakonam, TN 612703
Phone: - +91-9443678575; + 91-9443564221. +91-435-2445237
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