Shri Kokileshwarar Temple at Thirukozhambiam

This Shiva temple is located at Thirukohambian at Tamilnadu. It is on the Kumbhakonam-Mayiladuthurai route at a distance of about 20 kms from Kumbhakonam. This is a padal pethra sthalam which is at a distance of 5 kms to the east of Thiruvaduthurai, on the southern bank of Kaveri. This temple was revered by Shaiva saints Sambandhar and Appar. The temple occupies about 2 acres and must have existed even before the 7th century. This was renovated into a stone structure by the Chola queen Chembian Mahadevi.

Moolavar: Shri Kokileshwarar, Shri Goganeshwarar, Shri Kohambanathar
Devi: Shri Soundaryanaki
Sacred teertha: Brahma teertha
Sacred vruksha: Jasmine, Bilva

Kshetra purana: 

1. According to purana, Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu were playing a game of dice with Goddess Parvati as the referee. At one stage Lord Shiva wanted a clarification on the fairness of rolling the dice from Goddess Parvati. As she ruled in favor of Lord Vishnu, he cursed her to be born as a cow on the earth. She worshiped Lord Shiva at this place as a cow leaving hoof marks on the base of Avudayar (Kolambu meaning hoof in Tamil). Hence Lord Shiva is known as Kolambnathar. Later she was relieved of the curse. She appeared from the yagna conducted by sage Bharata as a child who raised her as his own daughter. When sage Bharata requested Lord Shiva to find a groom for her, Lord Shiva told him that his daughter was none other than Goddess Parvati and he will marry her soon. He explained to him, she was born on the earth as she wanted to be married to him on the earth.

2. In our earlier blog we have mentioned about the contest between Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu which resulted in the manifestation of Lord Shiva as a column of fire (Jyotirlinga). As Lord Brahma told a lie to Lord Shiva, he was punished by him. He ordered that there will be no temple where he will be worshiped. To seek relief from this curse, Lord Brahma came to this place, created the sacred teertha and worshiped Lord Shiva. He was relieved of the curse by Lord Shiva at this place. 

3. A Vidyadhar named Santhan became a nightingale (Kokila) due to the curse of Lord Indra. He came to this place and worshiped Lord Shiva. Finally he was relieved of the curse by Lord Shiva at this place. Hence Lord Shiva is praised as Kokileshwarar.

4. Lord Indra due to his advance towards Ahalya (wife of sage Gautama) was cursed to have eyes all over body. He worshiped Lord Shiva at this place.

Those who worshiped at this place:

Goddess Parvati, Sage Bharatha, Lord Brahma, Lord Indra.

Special features: 

1) The presence of Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu along with Lingotbhavar helps us to have darshan of all three at one place. 

2) The idols are sculptured very beautifully

3) Thirukohamban has a special significance as it is linked to 6 nearby padal petra sthalam. 

a) At Thiruzhundur, Goddess Parvati was born as a cow due to the curse of Lord Shiva. Lord Vishnu came to help her as a shepherd

b) At Thirukohambam, Goddess Parvati worshiped Lord Shiva as a cow and left hoof marks on the Shiva linga

c) At Thiruvaduthurai – Goddess Parvati worshiped Lord Shiva as a cow and was relieved of the curse. 

d) At Kutralam (Thiruthurthi) – Goddess Parvati came out as a child from the yagna kunda conducted by Sage Bharata.

e) At Ethirkolpadi – Sage Bharata received Lord Shiva as bride groom 

f) At Thiruvelvikudi – the place where wedding ceremony including the yagna took place

g) At Thirumanancheri – Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati granted their wedding darshan to all

4) The place is surrounded by many padal petra sthalam like Konerirajapuram, Vaikalnatheswarar, Thiruneelakudi, Thenkurangatruthurai, Thiruveezhimali (Lord Shiva is known as Mappilai swami) etc.

About the temple:

This is an east facing temple and the rajagopuram is not tiered. There is an arch at the entrance with a beautiful sculpture of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. There is an inner three tiered gopuram. The temple has 2 parikramas. The Shiva linga is swayambhoo linga. The bana (cylindrical portion) is comparatively large in size. The base (avudayar) has the hoof mark of the cow on it. The sanctum faces the east.

The koshta moorties are Lord Vinayaka, Lord Natraja, Sage Agastya, Lord Sattainathar, Lord Dakshinamoorti, Lord Lingotbhavar with Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu on either side, Lord Ardhanarishwarar, Lord Bikshadanar and Goddess Durga. The shrine of Lord Chandikeshwarar is at the usual place. 

Deities and other shrine – Lord Ganesha, Lord Muruga, Lord Nataraja, Goddess Gajalakshmi, Cholalinga, Shaiva saint Appar, Lord Surya, Lord Bhairava along with shrine of Ambika are in the corridor (parikrama). 

The utsav moorties are kept in a separate safe place. 

Prayers: Devotees worship at this place for removal of marriage obstacles.

Poojas:

Regular daily, weekly and monthly poojas 

Some important festivals:

Aavani (Aug-Sept): Ganesh Chaturthi

Karthigai (Nov-Dec): Thirukarthigai deepam, Somvaar puja

Maasi (Feb-March): Shivaratri

Panguni (March-April): Panguni uttaram

Temple timings: 9 am to noon; 4 pm to 6 pm

Address: Shri Kokileshwarar temple, Thirukohambian at post S. Pudur, Taluka Thiruvidaimaruthur, TN 621205

Phone: +91-4364232055; +91-4364232005

Courtesy: Various websites and blogs