Shri Kaalhastishwarar temple

This is the 10th of 12 temples associated with Mahamagam festival. It is located in Kumbhakonam city of TamilNadu. This is the place where Chandan applied to Kalash fell after pralay which later on became a Shiva linga. The temple is about 1800 years old and was renovated in 18th century by the Maratha king, Sarabhoji Maharaj under the guidance of His Holiness Shankaracharya of Kanchipuram. This temple is in the form of Tamil alphabet “ௐ” (which is known as Tamil Om). 

Mulavar: Shri Kaalahastishwarar

Devi: Shri Dhyana-Prahal-Ambika, Shri Katyayani

Kshetra vruksha: Bilva

About the temple and other shrines in this complex: 

This is an East facing temple with 5 tiered Rajagopuram. The main deity is facing the east. The koshtha moorthies are Shri Dakshinamoorthy, Shri Lingodbhavar, Shri Durga Devi, Shri Chandikeshwarar. Shri Dhyanambika Devi is in a separate shrine facing south. It is to the right side of Lord’s shrine. Shri Shivasurya housed in a separate shrine which is west facing. Shri Nataraja and Mother Shivagami are housed in a separate shrine. In this shrine, we come across idol of Shaiva saint Maanikvasagar. In the shrine of Shri Jwarahareshwarar, we find that he has 3 legs of which 2 are grounded and 1 is folded. This is to indicate that he cures the problems related to bones, skin and veins. Abhishek for Shri Jwarahareshwarar is performed with hot water. In another shrine we have, Shri Shiva as Shri Kalyan-Sundareshwarar with Shri Parvati Devi as Shri Katyayani in wedding attire. The unique feature is that Shri Shiva has a walking stick in his hand. This represents one of the rituals in south Indian marriage where the groom is symbolized going to Kashi before bride is given in marriage. In a separate shrine, we come across, huge idol of Shri Ashta-dasha-bhuja Maha Laxmi Durga. She has 18 hands and She is Aadi-devata of Shri Rahu. There are idols of Shri SiddhiVinayaka, Shri Meenakshi-Sundareshwarar, Shri Kaashi Vishawanath, Shri Saraswati, Shri Laxmi, Shri Ganga, Shri Navagraha, Shri Maruti and Shri Rahu in separate shrines.

Special features:

1. This is a Rahu Parihar sthala. 
2. His Holiness Shri Shankaracharya of Kanchipooram used to have darshan here daily during this stay. 
3. Just like Tirupati, where we have Kalahasti temple nearby Shri Vishnu’s temple, here also we have Shri Kalahastishwarar temple near Shri Oppiliappan (Shri Vishnu temple). Hence this place is known as Shri Dakshin-Kalahastishwarar temple as Shri Oppiliappan temple is known as Shri Dakshin-Tirupathi. 
4. The structure of this temple is like Tamil alphabet “ௐ” (Tamil Om). 
5. Shri Ashta-dasha-bhuja Maha Laxmi Durga is considered as Durga of all Durgas. 
6. The idol of Shri Jwarahareshwarar is of special feature. 
7. The beauty of idol of Shri Nataraja and Shri Shivagami Devi
8. Shri Shiva & Shri Parvati Devi as Shri Kalyan-Sundareshwarar and Shri Meenakshi Devi

Kshetra purana:

1. The temple is associated with Mahamagam festival and Maha Pralay. 
2. Once there was an argument between Shri Vaayu and Shri Aadi-Shesha about their physical strength. To test who is stronger, they decided to have a contest. In this contest, Shri Aadi-Shesha was to coil around the Meru mountain and Shri Vaayu was to blow him away. During this contest, three peaks got separated from Meru parvat and fell at 3 places in the south namely – Kalahasti, Thiruchirapalli & Trikonmala. Shri Shiva manifested at these 3 places. As Kumbhakonam was a great teertha kshetra, Shri Shiva manifested here as Shri Kalahastishwarar. As Kalahasti is a great Rahu-parihar sthala, this place also became a great Rahu-parihar sthala. 

Festivals:

On the day of Makar Sankranti, wedding festival of Shri Shiva and Shri Parvati Devi is held here. After the marriage festival, Shri Shiva will be in Neetya-kalyan attire. 

Lord Shiva is taken in a procession to the Mahamagam tank during Mahamaga festival. During Rahu kaal, special poojas are held for Ashta-dasha-bhuja Maha Laxmi Durga. 

Prayers:

People worship Shri Jwarahareshwarar to get rid of the incurable diseases.

Worship done at this place, gives the same benefit as when done in Kalahasti. So people worship Shri Shiva and Shri Dhyana-Prahal-Ambika Devi. 

Temple timing:  6.30 am to noon; 4.30 pm to 7 pm

Courtesy: Various blogs and websites

Shri Aadikampatta Vishwanathar temple

This is the ninth of twelve Shiva temples associated with Mahamagam festival. This is the place where the flowers from the kalash fell during the pralay and formed a Shiva linga. This temple is located in Kumbakonam city in TamilNadu on the western side of Aadikumbeshwarar temple. During the Chola period, minting of Gold and Silver coin was being carried out at this place. And hence this place got the name Kampatta. Shaiva saint Moorka-nayanar was associated with this temple, as he used to gamble around this place.

Mulavar: Shri Aadikampatta Vishawanathar, Shri Aadikampatta Vishweshwar

Devi: Shri Anantnidhi, Shri Nidhiammai

Sacred teertha: Dhumaketu teertha, Balavi teertha

Kshetra vruksha: Jasmine creeper (Malathy van)

This is an East facing temple with an arch at entrance. At the entrance itself, we come across a garden (Nandan van). The Shiva linga is a swayambhoo linga formed after the pralaya. A unique feature of the temple is that we come across Nandi, Balipeeth and Dhwajastambha just before the Rajagopuram. The Rajagopuram is 3 tiered. There is a mandap after the Rajagopuram. At the entrance of the sanctum we find an idol of Shri Dhumaketu. We come across the koshtamoorthis - Shri Ganesha, Shri Dakshinamoorthy, Shri Lingodbhavar, Shri Brahma and Shri Chandikeshwar in their usual position. Devi is housed in a separate shrine facing south. We come across the idols of Naalvar and Mangairkarasi (one of the 63 Nayanmars). She was the queen of Pandya king and daughter of Chola king. 

On the western side in a mandap, we find idols of Shri Vinayaka, Shri Muruga and Devi Mahalakshmi. In small shrine under the bilva tree we come across Shri Ganesha. Not much details are available about this temple. 

Kshetra Purana: This temple is associated with the formation of Mahamagam tank and the pralay. This is the place where flowers from the kalash fell and formed a Shiva linga.

Dhumaketu teertha: In older days this place was abundant with Malathy (Jasmine creepers). Hence Malathy flowers were used for worship of Lord Ganesha. In a nearby village named Udayagiri, there lived a sage named Nirasara with his son Dhumaketu. Dhumaketu was a great scholar in art and scriptures. He was always surrounded by flocks of students aspiring to learn and gain knowledge. He used to take his students to various Shiva temples and other divine places. He used to explain and educate them about their importance. During one such visit, he came to the Kampatta Vishawanath temple and worshipped the Lord. Pleased with his devotion to teach, educate the students and his righteousness, Shri Shiva along with Devi Parvati gave him darshan at this place. Dhumaketu named Shiva as Shri Aadikampatta Vishwanath and Devi Parvati as Shri Anantnidhi. Lord in appreciation of Dhumaketu’s work, named the teertha as Dhumaketu teertha.

Festivals: 

Thai (Jan-Feb) - Makar Sankranti 

Masi (Feb-Mar) - Mahashivaratri, 10 days of Mahamagam festival

Chitrai (April-May) - Brahmotsav

Avani (August-Sept) - Ganesh chaturthi, 

Purattasi (Sept-Oct) - Navaratri 

Aippasi (Oct-Nov) - Annabhishek and Skanda shashthi festival 

Karthigai (Nov-Dec) - Festival of light known as Karthikeya Deepam

Margazhi (Dec-Jan) Thiruvathira, Arudra Darshan

Panguni (Mar-April) Uttara nakshatra festival

The day on which Lord along with the Goddess visit the Mahamagam tank, is celebrated on a large scale. 

Prayers: Students pray for success and excellence in examinations. Gold smiths pray for success and prosperity. 

Timings – 6.30 am to noon; 4.30 to 8pm

Courtesy: various blogs and websites

Shri Banapureeshwarar temple

This is the 8th of 12 Shiva temples connected with Mahamagam festival. The temple is more than 1500 years old. This is the place where Lord Shiva broke the kalash by an arrow. Shaiva saint – Manikvasagar has sung a hymn on this place. 

Mulavar: Shri Banapureeshwarar, Shri Somanathar

Devi: Shri Kamalambal, Shri Kamalambigai, Shri Somkamalambal

Kshetra Vruksha: Bilva tree

This temple has a three tier Rajagopuram with one parikrama and is facing the east. The Shiva Linga is believed to be a swayambhoo linga. The sanctum sanctorum consists of Mahamandap, Arthamandap and sanctum. 

Koshta murthis are: Shri Ganesha, Shri Dakshinamoorthy, Shri Ardanareeshwarar, Shri Bramha and Devi Durga

Devi is housed in a separate shrine on the northern side in Mahamandap facing the south. The idol is in a standing posture. She has rudrakshamala in two hands and her other 2 hands show Varada and Abhaya mudra. There is a separate shrine for Shri Vishnu along with his consorts Sridevi and Bhoodevi. The idol of Shri Hanumaan is facing the shrine of Shri Vishnu. In the NW corner we come across shrine of Devi Durga. There is a linga installed and worshipped by Sage Vyasa. There are separate Shrines for Shri Muruga with his consorts Shri Valli and Shri Deivanai, Shri Chandikeshwar, Devi Durga, Shri Ganesha, Shri Bhairava & Navagrahas. The idol of Goddess Durga is very big. 

Kshetra purana: The temple is connected with the pralaya leading to the formation of Mahamagam tank.

This is the place where Lord Shiva as Keeratmurthy broke the kalash with an arrow. 

Vyas Linga: Once Sage Vyasa was cursed by Nandi-deva. He approached Shri Vishnu for remedy who advised him to install a Shiva linga and worship Shri Shiva. He installed a Shiva linga and worshipped Shri Shiva and got rid of the curse. This linga is known as Vyasa linga in the parikrama and the story is depicted on the gopuram. 

A king of Bengal known as Soorasena was advised by Maharshi Sootha to worship Shri Shiva at this place so that the queen Kantimati could be cured of an incurable disease. He followed the advice and his wife was cured. He also got a child boon. He did some renovation work at this temple. Sage Vyaghrapada also worshipped Shri Shiva at this place. 

Festivals: 

Thai (Jan-Feb) - Makar Sankranti 

Masi (Feb-Mar) - Mahashivaratri, 10 days of Mahamagam festival

Chitrai (April-May) - Brahmotsav

Avani (August-Sept) - Ganesh chaturthi, 

Purattasi (Sept-Oct) - Navaratri 

Aippasi (Oct-Nov) - Annabhishek and Skanda shashthi festival 

Karthigai (Nov-Dec) - Festival of light known as Karthikeya Deepam

Margazhi (Dec-Jan) Thiruvathira, Arudra Darshan

In addition to this, pradosh pooja and daily rituals are conducted. 

Prayers: People worship Devi here for prosperity and energetic. They worship for getting rid of decease.

Temple timing: 7am-11.30am; 5-8pm

Address: Shri Banapureeshwarar temple, Anna nagar, Kumbakonam 612001

Courtesy: Various websites publishing information about temples in South India

Shri Amrutakalasnathar temple at Sakkotai

This is the seventh of twelve Shiva temples associated with Mahamagam festival. This is the place where middle portion of the Kalash fell and became a Shiva linga later during pralay. This is one of the saptasthana temple associated with Aadikumbeshwarar temple. It is located at Sakkotai in TamilNadu. Earlier the place was known as Kalaynallur. The temple is more than 1500 years old. The temple is also one of the 276 Padal Petra Sthalam on the southern bank of Kaveri. Sakkiya Nayanar, one of the 63 Nayanmars, was closely associated with this temple. The temple was also known as Kottaishivan kovil. It is believed that the temple was earlier surrounded by a big fort with canals (agazhi in tamil). But now what we come across are only the remains of fort and canal. It is stated that in good old days a lot of buddhist (known as Sakkiya) used to reside here. Hence the place got the name Sakkiakotai which during the course of time changed to Sakkotai. The temple was built and renovated by Chola kings and Nayakkars. 

Mulavar: Shri Amrutakalashnathar, Shri Amrutakadeshwarar

Devi: Shri Amrutavalli

Sacred teertha: Nanguveda teertha

Puranik name: Thirukalainallur

Sacred Vruksha: Shamee (Vanni in tamil)

Kshetra Puran:

This temple is associated with the formation of Mahamagam tank and the pralay. This is the place where middle portion of the kalash fell and formed a Shiva linga. 

Sakkotai: Saint Sakkia was a staunch devote of Shri Shiva. He used to wear dress in Sakkia (buddhist) style and worship Shri Shiva at this temple. On his way to the temple he used to perform pooja to a stone and used stones instead of flowers. One day he forgot to do worship before taking his meals. He ran to the place where he used to worship the stone. When he reached the place, stones started falling at his feet from Kailash. Shri Shiva and Goddess Parvati appeared before him and blessed him. Lord Shiva made him one of the Nayanmars, hence he is known as Sakkianayanar. As a Sakkia worshiped at this place, the place got the name Sakkotai. 

Devi Parvati did penance here and married Shri Shiva at this place. Hence we have her idol in a shrine known as Tapasyaamman. 

As the middle portion of the kalash reached here during pralay, the place got the name Kalaynallur.

About the temple:

This is an east facing temple with one prakara and a single tier rajagopuram. It has a sculpture of Shri Shiva and Devi Parvati flanked by their sons – Shri Ganesha and Shri Muruga. The Shiva linga is a swayambhoo linga. At the 2nd entrance, there is a 3 tiered rajagopuram. Shri Shiva is east facing. At the front, there is a walled entrance. There is a mandap known as Nayakkar mandap. To the North we have Devi shrine facing south. At the entrance of maha mandap we have an idol of Shri Dandapaani and idol of Shri Nardana Vinayaka. In front of Shiva linga we come across balipeeth and Nandi in their usual position. The mandap is in the form of a forehead of a bat (vowaal in Tamil). Hence the mandap is known as Vowaal mandap. We come across idols of Shri Shiva and Devi Parvati in their bridal attire in the mandap. The koshta murthis are Shri Ardhanarishwarar, Shri Dakshinamurthi, Shri Lingodbhavar, Shri Bramha and Devi Durga. The idol of Shri Dakshinamurthi is unique. He has four hands, in his upper right hand he has a rudraksha mala, upper left hand – Agni, Lower right hand – Mudra, lower left hand – palm leaves. There is a halo (prabhaval in Marathi) around the head. There is a big Kallal tree behind him. The idol of Shri Lingodbhavar is made of green granite. It is behind the sanctum with Shri Maha Vishnu and Shri Bramha on either side. Here we get the darshan of trimurthis in one place. The shrine of Shri Chandikeshwar is located in the usual place. There is a separate shrine of Devi doing tapascharya (penance). She is known as Tapas amman (devi). She is standing on right leg with the left leg folded on thigh, right hand above her head with left hand on the stomach. Sapta matrikas are sculptured in a single stone. There are shrines of Nalavar, Navagraha, Vaayu linga, Prithvi linga, Thuyu linga, Shri Muruga with Valli and Deivanai, Gajalakshmi, Shri Bhairav, Shri Bhikshadanar, Shri Chandra, Shri Surya, Shri Shani, Shri Rahu and Sage Sakyanayanaar. 

Those who worshipped here: Shri Bramha, Sakkianayanar & Shri Shanishwar.  

Festivals: 

Vaikasi (May-June): Vaikasi Visakam

Aani (Jun-Jul): Aani Thirumanjanam

Aadi (Jul-Aug): Aadi Pooram

Aavani (Aug-Sept): Vinayakar Chaturthi

Purattasi (Sept-Oct): Navarathri

Aippasi (Oct-Nov): Skanda Shashti and Annabhishekam

Karthikai (Nov-Dec): Thiru Karthikai, Karthigaideepam

Margazhi (Dec-Jan): Thiruvathira

Maasi (Feb-Mar): Maha Magham festival and Shivarathri

Panguni (Mar-Apr): Panguni Uthiram

Masi (Feb-Mar): Mahashivaratri, Mahamagam festival 

Weekly rituals on Mondays and Fridays 

Fortnightly pradosha pooja

Monthly worship on new moon day, full moon day and Chaturthi 

Prayers: People perform their 60th birthday (Shashtyabdha purti), 70th birthday (bhimaratha shanti) & 80th birthday (sadabhishek) at this place for blessings. 

Temple timings: 9am-noon, 5pm-7pm

Address: Shri Amrutakalasnathar temple, Sakkotai, 612401 Kumbakonam

Phone number: 4352414453; Cell – 9698460984

Courtesy: Various websites publishing information about temples in South India

Shri Koneshwarar Temple at Kudavasal

This is the 6th temple connected with Mahamagam festival. This is situated at Kudavasal in Thiruvarur district on the southern bank of Kaveri. The temple is more than 2000 years old. At this place, rim (mouth) of the kalash fell during the great deluge and formed a Shiva linga. Mouth of the kalash is known as Kudavayil in Tamil. Hence the place got the name Kudavasal. This is one of the 276 Padal Petra sthalam revered by Nayanmars. Shaiva saint Sambandhar got the divine darshan of Shri Shiva hence it is revered as Mini (Chinna in Tamil) Kailash. This is one of the 78 Mada-kovils built by the chola king Kochenkata Chola Nayanar, so that the elephants cannot enter the sanctum.

Mulavar: Shri Koneshwarar, Shri Suryeshwarar, Shri Bhrugunathar, Shri Konanathar, Shri Vanmeekanathar.

Devi: Shri Periyanayaki, Shri Brihannayaki

Sacred teertha: Amruta teertha

Kshetra vruksha: Plantain (banana tree) (Vaazhai in Tamil)

Puranic names: Garadadini, Kadalivanam, Vanmeekachalam

This temple is also known as Perunthirukovil

About this temple:

This is a west facing temple but without any rajagopuram. At the entrance we have beautiful sculpture of Shri Shiva and Goddess Parvati. It has 2 prakarams. We have to climb 24 steps to reach Shri Shiva’s shrine which is a common feature in all mada-kovils. This temple finds mention in Tamil literatures between 300 BC to 300 AD. The Shiva linga in this temple is swayambhoo linga. At the entrance to the temple we find Shri Garuda worshipping Shri Shiva which is a very rare site. We have a kshetra puran about this feature which is narrated later. In the outer prakaram, we come across the idol of Anumati Vinayaka. We find Shri Kashi Vishwanath shrine opposite to the entrance. In front of the entrance we have Shri Nandi and Dhwajastambha. After entering the temple we come across the shrine of Shri Brihannayaki who is in a standing posture with Abhay and Varad mudra. She is facing the south. There is no separate Goddess Durga in this temple as Devi Brihannayaki is worshipped as Brihan-Durga devi. Inside the temple we come across 3 tiered Rajagopuram. In the outer prakaram we find shrines of Idumban, Shri Dandapani and Goddess Saraswati. In the northwest of Devi’s shrine we have the shrine of Shri Muruga with his wives Valli and Deivanai, a peacock and a maha-mandap. Saint Arunagirinathar has sung a hymn on Shri Muruga at this temple. In this prakara we come across Kshetra Vruksha, Jack-fruit tree, Shrine of Navagraha, Shri Muruga, Goddess Mahalaxmi, Thirudhyanbindu muni, Saptamatrikas, Nalvar, Shaiva Saint Sundarar and Paravai-Nachyar. The 24 steps that we have to climb to reach sanctum of Shri Shiva is in front of Sundarar. Shri Nataraja and Goddess Shivagami idols are near Shri Shiva.  To reach sanctum of Shri Koneshwarar (Shri Shiva), we have to cross Mahamandap, Nandi mandap and Artha mandap. The Shiva linga is big with a square base (Avudayar in Tamil). Shri Shiva is facing the west. There is a scar on the linga caused by the sharp beak of Shri Garuda. Excepting Goddess Durga we find the usual Koshta moorthies. There is shrine of Shri Vinayaka who is first worshipped in the evening pooja known as Malaivazhipatu (worshipped in evening) Vinayaka. There is a shrine for twin Vinayakas and the Vinayaka worshipped here is Siddhi-Vinayaka. Opposite to the temple we have the sacred teertha, Amrut Teertha. On its bank we have the shrine of Aadi-Vinayaka. From the sanctum of Shri Shiva’s shrine, the tank and the gopuram of the Vinayaka temple we can have darshan. There are 2, Lord Bhairavas in this temple, one of them is without his mount the dog.

Idols in this temple: Shri Surya (in sitting position), Shri Moon (in standing position), Sage Suta worshipping Shri Shiva. There are shrines for Nalvars, Suta Maha Muni, Sundarar, Parvainachhar, Goddess Saraswati without Veena, Goddess Gajalaxmi and Saptamatrikas.

Special feature: It is believed that few drops of Amrut fell in the tank. Hence people take a dip here during Mahamagam festival. 

Shri Shiva is addressed as Vaanmiknathar as he was taken out of ant-hill by garuda. We have a number of Vinayaka shrines like Siddhi-Vinayaka, Anumati Vinayaka, Aadi-Gajanathar (in the temple tank) and Malai-Vinayaka

It is believed that Shri Surya worships Shri Shiva in this temple by directing his rays on the Shiva linga for 3 days in the month of Panguni (March-April). In the Tamil month of Thai on 3 days, the Sun’s rays fall on Shri Kashi Vishwanath.

Sanctum sanctorum of Shri Shiva’s entrance is narrow so that elephant do not enter. Sambandhar praised this temple in his hymn as Ezhilkola mada kovil (extremely beautiful in Tamil). Saint Arunagiri nathar has sung a hymn on Shri Muruga at this place. 

On Masi-magam day, 5 deities (Pancha-moorthies) namely Shri Koneshwarar, Goddess Periyanayaki, Shri Ganesha, Shri Muruga and Shri Chandikeshwar visit the Amrut teerth for Teertha-wari festival. 

Kshetra Purana: Shri Koneshwarar – Ko in Tamil means all living beings, Eshwarar means Shri Shiva. As the Lord loves all his beings, he is known as Koneshwarar. 

Shiva linga was found in the ant hill (vaanmeeka). Hence is known as Shri Vanmeeknathar. 

Presence of Garuda in this temple: This is a rare sight and it is explained in the following puran. 

Sage Kashyap had 2 wives, namely – Vineeta and Katru. Garuda was the son of Vineeta and was a staunch devotee of Shri Vishnu. Katru had poisonous snakes as her sons. Once Vineeta and Katru happens to see Shri Indra on his white horse named Uchhaihshravas. There was an argument between the 2 ladies about the color of the horse. There was a wager (betting) according to which if Katru proved that the tail of the horse was black then Vineeta and Garuda will be slaved to her forever. Katru approached her sons and requested to help her in winning the wager. Initially they refused but later on agreed to help her from getting cursed by their mother. One of her sons, Kargodaga (black snake) wrapped himself around the horse’s tail and breath his venom due to this the tail became black. When Vineeta saw only the black part of the tail (remaining portion was pure white), she accepted her defeat. When she told her plight to Garuda, he asked her for the remedy. Vineeta told him that his step-mother wants a pot containing nector from Devaloka so that they will be released from their bondage. Garuda went to Devaloka and defeated Devas in fierce battle. He informed Lord Indra that he will take the pot containing nector and only show it to his step mother as she does not deserve to drink the Amrut. He agreed to bring back the pot of nector safely. On the way to meet this mother, he had to fight a ferocious demon. Hence he had to keep the pot on a bush of Kusha-grass. When he came back after defeating the demon, he found that the pot sinking in a ant hill. When he cleared the ant hill with his beak, he found Shri Shiva (Amrutlingeshwarar) with pot in his hands. The Lord blessed and bade him to come back after releasing his mother from the bondage. After receiving the pot, Katru went to take bath placing it on a Kusha grass. In the meanwhile Shri Indra with help of Vaayu retrieved the pot. When Katru got back, she was disappointed as the pot was missing. She along with her sons, licked the droplets of nectar that had spilled on kusha-grass. Due to the sharpness of kusha-grass, their tongue got split (according to puran this is the reason that snakes have split tongue). Garuda came back to Shri Shiva, as per directive. Garuda constructed a temple for Shri Shiva and Goddess Parvati. He also constructed a sacred tank, Amrut teertha and installed Shri Ganesha who is known as Aadi-Ganesha. Hence Shri Shiva is known as Amruta nathar and Parvati is known as Amruta-valli. 

According to another kshetra puran, the nine sacred rivers (Ganga, Kaveri, Yamuna, Gautami, Narmada, Saraswati, Sharayu, Kanyakumari & Narmada) appealed to Shri Shiva for a solution to get rid of the sins left by the people in them. He transformed them into kumarikas and advised them to take bath in 3 sacred teertha on the southern bank of Kaveri when Sun is in Kumbha raas, Guru is in Simha raas and Moon in Magha nakshatra. They took bath in Kumbakonam (Mahamaga tank) then sacred tank Sakkottai (Kalashanallur) and finally came to this place. When they entered the sacred tank, the tank dried up. When they appealed to Shri Shiva, he told them that they should have taken dip first here then at Sakkottai and finally at Kumbakonam. Then he advised them to first worship Aadi-Ganesha at this place and Shri Shiva and Goddess Parvati. According to puran, these sacred rivers perform this ritual every 12 years i.e. Mahamaga festival day. 

Those who worshipped here: Shri Garuda, Shri Agni, Shri Jatayu, Sage Suta, Sudama, Thalappiyar, Brigu rishi and Thirunapindu (he was cured of his leprosy by Shri Shiva at this place). 

Prayers: People worship Shri Shiva, Shri Surya and Shri Chandra in this temple. They believe by doing so, they will be absolved of the sins for having not performed the shradha ceremony for their ancestors. Devotees worship Shri Shiva for prosperity and wisdom. People worship for the welfare of their children. People worship for not having fulfilled wishes of their mothers to Shri Shiva to get peace of mind and atonement. Those having problems in getting married light ghee lamps on lime cups during Rahu kaal in Goddess  Durga’s shrine. 

Important festivals: 

Vaikasi (May-June): Vaikasi Visakam

Aani (Jun-Jul) Aani Thirumanganam

Aadi (Jul-Aug) Aadi Pooram

Aavani (Aug-Sept) Vinayakar Chaturthi

Purattasi (Sept-Oct) Navarathri

Aippasi (Oct-Nov) Skanda Shasti and Annabhishekam

Karthikai (Nov-Dec) Thiru Karthikai

Margazhi (Dec-Jan) Thiruvathira

Maasi (Feb-Mar) Maasi Maham and Shivarathri

Panguni (Mar-Apr) Panguni Uthiram

Pradosham is also observed regularly.

Temple timing: 7am to noon; 4pm to 8.30pm

Temple address: Sri Koneshwarar Swami temple, Kudavaul (Kudavasal) Thiruvarur district, Tamil Nadu 612601

Courtesy: Following sites 

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/ and

https://temple.dinamalar.com/en/

Shri Gautameshwarar (Upavedanadeshwarar) temple

This is 5th of the 12 Shiva temples connected with Mahamagam festival. This temple is on the southern bank of Mahamagam tank. This is believed to be the place where string (sacred thread) around the kalash fell and a Shiva linga was formed. This is very small temple and much details are not available.

Moolavar: Shri Gautameshwarar, Shri Upavedanadeshwarar

Devi (Consort): Shri Saundaryanayaki

Sacred teertha: Mahamagam tank

The temple is more than 1800 years old.

Idols and shrines in the temple:

We come across the idols of Shri Nardhana Ganapati, Shri Maha Ganapati, Shri Dakshinamoorthy, Sage Gautama, Shri Muruga with his consorts Shri Valli and Shri Deivanai, Shri Gajalaxmi, Shri Lingodbhavar, Shri Bramha, Shri Chandikeshwar and Shri Anjaneya. These include the koshta moorthies also. There is a separate shrine for Navagraha. There are separate idols of Shri Surya and Shri Shanishwarar. Idols of Shri Gajalaxmi and Shri Saraswati are near Shri Bhairava. 

Kshetra purana:

The temple is associated with grand pralay which led to the formation of Mahamagam tank. This is the place where the string (sacred thread) fell during the pralay.

Sage Gautama was doing annadana at this place. In order to defame him, his enemies sent a magical cow into his ashram. While Sage Gautama was fondling the cow, the cow disappeared. Sage Gautama felt he was responsible for the disappearance of the cow and hence he worshiped Shri Upavedanathar. Shri Shiva blessed him and gave him a papavimochan i.e. freed him from a sin of killing a cow. As Shri Shiva removed the sin of Sage Gautama, he is known as Shri Gautameshwarar. 

Prayers: 

Sin of killing the cow is removed by worshipping Shri Gautameshwar after taking a bath in Mahamagam teertha. People perform pooja on Ashtami for Shri Bhairava for removal of fear. Worshiping in this temple is beneficial for persons born in the zodiac sign of Scorpio. 

Festival:

Thai (Jan-Feb) - Makar Sankranti 

Masi (Feb-Mar) - Shivaratri, 10 days of Mahamagam festival

Chitrai (April-May) - Brahmotsav

Avani (August-Sept) - Ganesh chaturthi, 

Purattasi (Sept-Oct) - Navaratri 

Aippasi (Oct-Nov) - Annabhishek and Skanda shashthi festival 

Karthigai (Nov-Dec) - Festival of light known as Karthikeya Deepam

In addition daily rituals are held in this temple.

Temple timings: 6 am to noon; 4.30 pm to 8pm

Courtesy: Following sites 

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/ and

https://temple.dinamalar.com/en/

Shri Abhimukheshwarar Temple

This is the 4th Shiva temple connected with Mahamagam festival located in Kumbakonam city. Abhimukh means looking straight ahead. This temple is on the eastern bank of Mahamagam tank. This is the place where the coconut from the kalash fell. Worshiping in this temple is beneficial for people of Zodiac sign Libra (Tula). The temple is about 1200 years old and was renovated in 16th century. 

Mulavar: Shri Abhimukheshwarar

Devi: Shri Amrutvalli

Kshetra vruksha: Gooseberry tree (Avala in Marathi)

Sacred teertha: Mahamagam tank

It is believed that the coconut from the kalash which fell here became a Shiva linga. 

About the temple and idols: 

This is a small west facing temple with a 2 tier Rajagopuram. The entrance of the temple and Shiva linga faces west. The Dwarpal at the entrance to the Lord’s shrine are in a dancing posture which is a rare sight.

Kosthamurthys: On north side we see Lord Brahma, on east side we find Shri Lingodbhavar, on south side we find Shri Dakshinamurthy. Here Shri Dakshinamurthy is known as Yoga-Dakshinamurthy. He appears in sitting position with one leg kneeled down and his head is slightly bent. Goddess Amritvalli is in a separate shrine on right side of Lord Shiva. The Navgrahas are housed on a small peetham. Here we find idol of Lord Shanishwar is taller than other idols. Then we come across idol of Lord Bhairava which is tallest in this temple when compared to the Bhairava idols in the other 11 temples associated with Mahamagam tank. 

Kshetra puran: 

This place is associated with the pralay, the details of which we have already mentioned. 

Shri Abhimukheshwarar: According to purana, Lord Shiva was facing East when Nav-karnikas came to bathe here first time. They requested Lord to face the tank so that they can have the darshan from the tank itself. Lord acceded to their request and started facing the west. Hence he is known as Shri Abhimukheshwarar.

A girl got cured of leprosy here. A Brahmin family from Kashmir namely Sudhavan and his wife Seelavathi had a beautiful girl named Sumati. When the girl attained marriageable age, she was infected by Leprosy due to her previous karma. Then in the village, the people despised her and started avoiding her. The parents prayed to Lord Shiva for their daughters cure. Sage Narada appeared in their dream and advised them to take bath in Mahamagam tanks during Mahamagam festival and worship Lord Abhimukheshwar for the sake of their daughter. When couple did as directed by Sage Narada, the girl got rid of her decease. Lord Shiva gave darshan to Sudhavan and asked him to conduct his daughter’s marriage in front of him and stay for sometime at this place so that he can reach Kailash with his family. 

Festivals: 

Thai (Jan-Feb) - Makar Sankranti 

Masi (Feb-Mar) - Shivaratri, 10 days of Mahamagam festival

Chitrai (April-May) - Brahmotsav

Avani (August-Sept) - Ganesh chaturthi, 

Purattasi (Sept-Oct) - Navaratri 

Aippasi (Oct-Nov) - Annabhishek and Skanda shashthi festival 

Karthigai (Nov-Dec) - Festival of light known as Karthikeya Deepam

In addition daily rituals are held in this temple.

Prayers: Parihar sthala for Shani dosh. People light ghee lamp on Saturday for relief. People pray for getting cure of their decease by offering goose berries to Lord Shiva. People pray from adverse effect of the planet by lighting ghee lamps. 

Temple timing: 7am-12pm and 4-8pm

Temple address: Shri Abhimukheshwarar temple, near Mahamagam tank, Kumbakonam 612201

Phone: 4352420187

Courtesy: Following sites 

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/ and

https://temple.dinamalar.com/en/

Shri Nageshwarar (Vilva Vaneshwarar) temple

This temple is situated in the heart of Kumbakonam city. This temple is also known as Kudanthai Keezh Kottam (Kudanthai means Kumbakonam, Keezh – east; Kottam – temple). This is one of the Padal Petra Sthalam on the southern bank of river Kaveri. This is the parihar sthal for Rahu dosha. The temple is about 1300 years old and was constructed by a Chola king. This temple is 3rd temple connected with Mahamagam festival. This temple is also known as Koothandavar kovil and Suryakottam. At this place the bilva leaves from the kalash fell during the pralay and became a Shiva linga. Hence Lord is known as Shri Vilva Vaneshwarar. 

Moolavar: Shri Nageshwar Swami, Shri Naganathar, Shri Vilva Vaneshwarar, Shri Patalbeejnathar, Shri Madanthainathar

Devi (Consort): Shri Periyanayaki, Shri Brihannayaki

Kshetra vruksha: Bilva

Kshetra teertha: Mahamagam tank, Singa-mukh-teertham (tank), Surya teertha, Nag teertha

Puranic name: Thirukudanthai Keezh Kottam

This is an east facing temple with 5 tiered Rajagopuram with 2 parikramas. The gopurams are on the east, west and south entrances. The Shiva linga is a Swayambhoo linga formed out of the bilva leaves fell from the kalash during pralay. When we enter the temple on the left side, we have a Nandanvan (garden) and Singa-mukh-teertha. On the right hand side we have the shrine of Periyanayaki and Nataraja. The Nataraja mandap is in a shape of chariot. We come across at the entrance of the sanctum – Nandi, Balipeeth and Dhwajastambh at there usual positions. The shrine of Lord Shiva is facing the east. The Swayambhoo linga is very broad at the base (avudyai in Tamil) and cylindrical top (bana in Tamil) is smaller in size. The koshta moorthys are Lord Ganesha, Lord Dakshinamoorthy, Lord Ardhanarishwarar, Lord Brahma & Goddess Durga. In a small shrine we come across Lord Chandikeshwarar. 

Devi’s shrine: Her shrine is south facing on the right side of Rajagopuram in the outer parikrama of Nataraja shrine. The chariot is sculptured in such as if it is being pulled away by 2 horses and 4 elephants. The twelve spokes on the wheel are supposed to represent twelve zodiac signs. Lord Nataraja is also known as Anand-Koothandavar. In this shrine we find the idol of Goddess Shivakaami clapping the hands to the dance of Lord Nataraja while Lord Vishnu is playing the flute. 

Gangai Vinayaka shrine: The Chola king Rajendran had made an expedition to Himalayas and the victorious army brought a beautiful Ganesh idol from there as a trophy and installed it at this place. This shrine is known as Gangai Vinayaka shrine. 

In the parikrama we come across the sapta-vidangas. There is a separate shrine for Rahu. There is separate shrine for Rudra known as Pralayakaal rudra. 

Other shrines and idols in the premises: Lord Vinayaka, Lord Muruga with Valli and Deivanai, Juragara Vinayaka, Somaskandha Moorthy, Saptamatrika, Valanchuzhi (trunk curved towards right) Vinayaka, Mahakali, Agniveerabhadra, Vishnu-Durga, Padaivetti Mariamman, Lord Surya, Goddess GajaLaxmi, Aadishesha (King of serpent), Lord Aiyanar. Goddess Mahakali & Agni Veerabhadra (Urdhwa-tandav Moorthy) are opposite to each other in separate shrine. The 2 idols are sculptured in such a manner that one feels they are competing one another in a dance competition. The idols have very fearsome countenance. 

Salient features of this place & temple: 

The temple is associated with Mahamagam festival. 

The Natraja temple:

This is the Rahu Parihar sthala

The rays of the Sun enter the sanctum sanctorum only for 3 days during the Tamil month of Chitrai i.e 11, 12, 13th day. 

A Shiva devotee Padakachery Ramalinga Swamigal took a lot of pains to renovate this temple which was in a dilapidated condition. He performed consecration in 1923. For this purpose, he collected funds by tying a pot around his neck and meeting people. 

It is believed if worshiped, the Lord Rahu at this temple, on Mondays & Thursdays, one is absolved of Rahu dosha, beneficial for removal of marriage obstacle and child boon. 

Kshetra Purana: 

The temple is associated with Maha-pralay which led to the formation of the twelve temples. At this place the bilva leaves from the kalash fell and formed a Shiva linga

According to Purana, king of Serpent (Aadi-shesha) holds the earth on his head. The weight of the earth grew due to the sins committed on earth and hence he could not bear the weight. He worshipped Lord Shiva to grant him extra energy so that he can hold the earth. Lord Shiva accepted his request and granted him the extra energy by giving him 1000 heads instead of 1. Aadi-shesha came to this place, where the bilva leaves fallen during the maha-pralay. He installed a linga and worshipped Lord Shiva. As the Nagaraja worshipped Lord Shiva at this place, Lord Shiva is known as Nageshwarar. 

Surya teertha: Lord Surya worshipped Lord Shiva and regained his lost splendor. Hence the temple tank is known as Surya teertha. 

It is stated in purana that the planet Rahu (serpent king) worshipped Lord Shiva in four parts of the night at four places. The places are – Shri Nageshwarar temple - Kudanthai keezh kottam (Vilva vanam), Thirunageshwaram Naganathswami in Hibiscus van (Jaswand in Marathi), Nageshwar swami at Thirupampuram in Shamee van, Naganadar at Nagapattinum in Punnag van.

Parihar sthala: If one worships in a single day at Nageshwaram in the morning, Thirunageshwaram in the noon, Thirupampuram in the evening and Naganathar at Nagapattinum at night all sarpa dosha are removed. 

Festivals: 

Almost all festivals similar to other Shiva mandirs.

Maasi (Feb-March): Mahamagam festival, Maasi Brahmotsavam

Panguni (March-April): Panguni uttaram. 

Purattasi (Sept-Oct): Navarathri

Margazhi (Dec-Jan): Thiruvadarai

And other Shiva festivals. 

Temple prayers – People pray here for 1) Relief from Rahu dosh (worship during Rahu kal or between 4.30-6pm daily) 2) reunion of estranged couple 3) removal of marriage obstacle 4) for a child boon 5) for relief from fever people pray to Jwarhar Ganesha. 

Temple timings: 6am -12.30 pm & 4.30 pm to 9 pm

Temple address: Shri Nageshwarar Swami temple, Kumbakonam (Keezhkottam), 612001. Phone +91 4352430386

Courtesy: Following sites 

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/ and

https://temple.dinamalar.com/en/

Paying respect to Nandikeshwara and Chandikeshwara is a must

Namaskar - You visit any Lord Shiva temple in South India and you will find that there is a Nandikeshwar idol in front of Shiva linga and Chandikeshwar idol located to North East of Shiva lingam and within the wall of the temple. Dr. Gopalkrishna Sharma explains in his video about two things that you should not do when you are in Shiva temple. First - do not directly worship Shiva linga without first taking permission of Nandikeshwara and second - do not leave temple without scrubbing hands in front of Chandikeshwara.

Before worshipping Shiva linga one should first take permission of Nandikeshwara by chanting following shloka

नन्दिकेश महाभाग शिवध्यान परायण

गौरिशन्कर सेवार्थम् अनुज्ञानम् दातुमर्हसि

(Nandikesha MahaaBhaga, Shiva dhyaana paraayana,

Gowri Shankar sevaartham Anudnyanam daatumarhasi.)

Meaning: Oh Nandikesha, you are highly distinguished and you are ever engaged in meditating upon Lord Shiva. Please permit me to worship Lord Shiva along with his consort Mother Gauri

Also before leaving any Lord Shiva temple, one should visit Chandikeshwara and scrub hands in front of him to indicate that you are not taking anything from temple except blessings.

 

विजयादशमी सीमोल्लंघनाचे महत्व

अश्विन शुक्ल दशमी जाण । सायंकाळी श्रवण नक्षत्र । विजयनामाचा काल पूर्ण । तारकाउदयीं जाणावा ।। तो विजयकाल सकळिक । सर्वकार्यार्थसाधक । प्रयाणमुहूर्ती विशेषक । सर्व कामना सिद्ध होती ।। विजयकालाची म्हणोनि । विजयादशमी म्हणती जनीं । तो विजयमुहूर्त पाहूनी । निघता झाला काकुत्स्थ ।। सर्व देवांसहित जाण । करोनियां शमीपूजन । केलें शमीसीं प्रिय भाषण । मग पुष्पकीं बैसला ।। ईशान्येसी केलें गमन । आला अयोध्येलागून । सर्व सुहृदादिजनां भेटोन । राज्य करिता जाहला ।। सर्व देवऋषींसी आनंद । जाहला तुटले अवघे बंध । सीमोल्लंघन केलें प्रसिद्ध । स्वेच्छाचारें दशमीसी ।। या कारणास्तव जाण । विजयादशमीसी पूजन । करावें ईशान्येसी सीमोल्लंघन । शमीपूजने जयप्राप्ती ।। 

-  देवी माहात्म्य अध्याय १२

 

विजयादशमीला म्हणजेच दसऱ्याला सायंकाळी ईशान्य दिशेला सीमोल्लंघन करण्याची प्रथा आहे. ही प्रथा प्रभू श्रीरामांनी प्रसिद्ध केली. सीमोल्लंघन म्हणजेच सीमा ओलांडून पुढे जाणे. आत्तापर्यंत आपल्यावर झालेल्या वेगवेगळ्या बऱ्यावाईट संस्कारांमुळे, बऱ्यावाईट सवयीं मुळे आपल्यामध्ये एक प्रकारचं जडत्व येतं. आपण आपल्यालाच काही सीमांमध्ये जखडून ठेवतो. मला हे कसं जमेल? ते कसं जमेल? काही वेळा प्रयत्न करून यश मिळत नाही म्हणून आपण काही गोष्टी सोडून देतो. ह्या सगळ्या गोष्टी आपल्या भोवती काही सीमा आखतात आणि त्यामुळे आपली अपेक्षित प्रगती होत नाही. ह्या सीमांना उल्लंघून जाऊ शकलो तरच आपण अपेक्षित यश मिळवून समाधानी होऊ शकतो. सीमोल्लंघन करून ईशान्य दिशेला का जायचं? ईशान्य दिशेला भगवान ईशानांचा वास असतो जे ज्ञान आणि संपत्तींचे संरक्षक आहेत. भगवान ईशानांकडे आपल्याला कोण घेऊन जाईल? देवी भगवती. देवी भगवती आपल्यावर प्रसन्न झाली तर ती आपल्याला ज्ञान आणि संपत्ती प्रदान तर करेलच पण हे टिकण्यासाठी ती आपल्याला भगवान ईशानांची पण कृपा प्राप्त व्हावयाला मदत करेल जेणेकरून आपण मिळविलेल्या ज्ञान आणि संपत्तीचा कधी विनाश होणार नाही. देवी भगवतीची प्रीती कशी मिळवावी हे स्वतः देवी भगवती देवीनेच श्री देवी माहात्म्यामध्ये सांगितले आहे. 

 

संवत्सरें करुनि पूजन । माझी साधावी प्रीती जाण । माझें चरित्र श्रवण पठण । प्रेमभावें करावे ।। पातकांचा करी नाश । आरोग्यता पाठकास । भूतांपासूनि रक्षणास । हें माहात्म्य करीतसे ।। - श्री देवी माहात्म्य अध्याय १२

 

निदान वर्षाकाठी नवरात्री काळामध्ये निरालस्य होऊन देवी भगवतीचे पूजन करावे, तिच्या चरित्राचे श्रवण-पठण करावें जेणेकरून आपण तिची प्रीती प्राप्त करू शकू आणि सर्व यश प्राप्ती करून अंती समाधान पावू शकू. 

स्तोत्र श्रवण-पठण - सुरक्षा आणि उद्धाराचा सुलभ उपाय

 देवांच्या कार्यासाठी जाण । जगदंबा होतसे उत्पन्न । एरव्हीं तरी जन्म-मरण । नाही नाही तियेसी ।।

इच्छामात्रें सर्व संहारीत । परी गुणानुवाद व्हावा निश्चित ।
आपुला या सर्व जगतांत । म्हणोनि उत्पन्न होतसे ।।

गुणांचे जें श्रवण-पठण । तेणें उद्धरती सर्व जन । म्हणोनि होतसे उत्पन्न । योगनिद्रा हरीची ।।

- श्री देवी माहात्म्य अध्याय १ 

"स्तुवन्ति त्रायते इति स्तोत्रः" अशी स्तोत्राची व्याख्या आहे. ज्या स्तुतीमुळे आपलं रक्षण होतं, उद्धार होतो, त्याला स्तोत्र म्हणतात. श्री देवीला एरव्ही जन्म-मरण नाही. पण आपल्या परम कारुण्य भावनेनी ती जनांच्या उद्धारासाठी दैवी अवतार घेते आणि तिच्या दैवीलीला बघून जनं तिची स्तुती करतात आणि ह्या स्तुतीमुळे जनांचा उद्धार होतो, रक्षण होतं. म्हणूनच अशा स्तुतीला स्तोत्र म्हणलं जातं.  

श्री देवीमाहात्म्याला श्री देवीचं महास्तोत्र असं पण म्हणतात. स्तोत्रामध्ये गुणानुवाद असतो. स्तोत्रामध्ये किंवा शेवटी फलश्रुती असते ज्यामध्ये स्तोत्र श्रवण-पठणाने काय फळं मिळतात त्याचं वर्णन असतं. 

स्तोत्र श्रवण-पठणाची काही महत्वाची फळं म्हणजे वाणीशुद्धी, मनाची एकाग्रता, आत्मविश्वासाची वृद्धी. आणि ह्या फळांच्या प्राप्तीमुळेच नियमित स्तोत्र श्रवण-पठण करणाऱ्यांचं आपोआपच रक्षण होतं आणि उद्धार होतो. स्तोत्र श्रवण-पठणासाठी सर्वात महत्वाचं काय तर शुद्ध भाव. स्तोत्र पठणासाठी खूप वेळेची पण गरज नाही. इच्छा आणि भाव असेल तर कुठल्याही दैनंदिन कर्तव्यामध्ये बाधा न आणता आपण हे करू शकतो. किंबहुना असंच करायला पाहिजे तरच आपण आपल्या जिवलगांना, आपल्या मुलांना पण आपण ह्या श्रवण-पठणामध्ये प्रोत्साहित करू शकू आणि त्यांना पण ह्या श्रवण-पठणामुळे मिळणाऱ्या रक्षणाचा अनुभव करून देऊ शकू. 

नवरात्रीतील देवीमाहात्म्य पठण

देवी म्हणे देवांलागून । जो एकाग्रचित्त होऊन । नित्य हें माहात्म्य पठण करून । तोषवील मजलागीं ।।
तयाच्या सकल बाधेत । नि:संशय स्वयें नाशितें । इहपरत्रीं सौख्य त्यातें । देऊनियां तोषवीन ।। 
                                    - देवीमाहात्म्य अध्याय १२ 

देव आणि असुर ह्यामध्ये ज्या ज्या वेळी युद्ध झाले आहे त्यावेळी देवीने देवांना वेगवेगळे अवतार घेऊन रक्षिले आहे. प्रत्येक मानवामध्ये दैवी आणि राक्षसी वृत्ती नांदत असतात. ह्या दैवी आणि असुरी वृत्तींमध्ये कायम युद्ध चालू असते. जेव्हा असुरी वृत्तींचा प्रादुर्भाव होतो अर्थात असुरी वृत्ती जेव्हा दैवी वृत्तींपेक्षा वरचढ होतात तेव्हा मानवाचा अहंकार, अभिमान जागृत होऊन त्यामुळे निर्माण होणाऱ्या क्लेश, दुःख अशा निराशाजनक भावनांतुन त्याला जायला लागतं. अशावेळी पूर्वपुण्याईने जर देवीमाहात्म्य वाचायची बुद्धी होऊन एकाग्रचित्ताने ह्या माहात्म्याचं पठण केल्यास त्या मानवाच्या असुरी वृत्तींचा नाश करून त्यास सौख्याचा अनुभव करून देईन असे स्वतः देवीनेच आश्वासन दिले आहे. 

देवीमाहात्म्याचं पठण कसं करावं? देवीमाहात्म्य संस्कृत मध्ये आहे तसेच प्राकृत म्हणजेच मराठी भाषेत पण आहे. संस्कृत भाषेतल्या देवीमाहात्म्याचे पठण करण्याच्या बाबतीत अनेक नियम आहेत ज्यात कुमारीपूजनाचाही भाग येतो. पण सर्वसाधारण भक्तांना हे नियम पाळणे शक्य नाही म्हणून श्री राम वर्णेकर ह्यांनी अत्यंत निस्वार्थी भावाने मराठी भाषेत देवीमाहात्म्य लिहिले ज्याच्या पठणाचे नियम सुलभ आणि सुकर आहेत. 

मराठी भाषेतले देवीमाहात्म्य पठण सुरु करण्याआधी श्री चंडीकवच, श्री अर्गलास्तोत्र आणि श्री कीलकस्तोत्र ह्यांचं पठण करावं आणि नंतर नऊ दिवसात १६ अध्यायांचं पठण करावं ते असं  १) तीन स्तोत्रे आणि अध्याय १  २) अध्याय २ व ३ ३) अध्याय ४ व ५ ४) अध्याय ६ व ७ ५) अध्याय ८ व ९ ६) अध्याय १० व ११ ७) अध्याय १२ ८) अध्याय १३ व १४ ९) अध्याय १५ व १६. प्रत्येक दिवशी शक्य असल्यास दुपारी १२ च्या आत त्या दिवसाचं पठण संपवावं. आणि १६ अध्यायांचं पठण पूर्ण झाल्यावर श्री शंकराचार्यकृत देवीअपराधक्षमापन स्तोत्र म्हणून देवीची क्षमा मागावी.   

महालय अमावास्येचं महत्व

अमावस्या म्हणजे काय? जेव्हा सूर्य आणि चन्द्र हे एकत्र येतात त्या तिथीला अमावस्या असं म्हणतात. जन्मकुंडलीमध्ये सूर्य आणि चंद्र ग्रहांच्या स्थानाला फार महत्व आहे. कुंडलीवरून ज्योतिष फळ सांगताना ह्या ग्रहांच्या स्थानांना खूप महत्व दिलं जातं. सूर्य हा पितृकारक किंवा आत्मकारक समजला जातो तर चंद्र ग्रह मातृकारक किंवा मनोकारक समजला जातो. 

अमावास्येला तिलांजली देऊन पितरांना प्रसन्न करणे हा हिंदू शास्त्राप्रमाणे एक संस्कार आहे. गृहस्थाश्रमातल्या माणसाला देव, ऋषी, बुध आणि पितृ ह्यांचे संस्कार सांगितले आहेत. गृहस्थाने ह्या चार विषयींची म्हणजेच देव, ऋषी, कुलदैवत, जिवलग कुटुंब/ नातलग आणि पितरांबद्दलची कर्तव्ये काटेकोरपणे पार पाडावीत. ह्या कर्तव्यांमध्ये पितृ कर्तव्य हे सर्वात महत्वाचे आहे. एक वेळ देवाच्या उपासनेमध्ये कमी जास्त झालं तरी ठीक आहे. पण पितरांसाठीच्या कर्तव्यामध्ये कधीही खंड पडू देऊ नये. पितरांसाठीची श्राद्ध कर्म केल्या मुळे पितंरं प्रसन्न होतात आणि ते आपल्या वंशजांना आशीर्वाद देतात ज्यामुळे वंशजांचं आयुष्य सुरळीत होण्यास मदत होते. श्राद्ध कर्मांमध्ये जेव्हा खंड पडतो तेव्हा पितृदोष निर्माण होतो आणि पितृदोषामुळे वंशजांना खूप कष्ट सहन करावयास लागतात. पितृदोषाची काही ठळक लक्षणं म्हणजे विवाह ठरण्यामध्ये विलंब होणे, वैवाहिक जीवन विस्कळीत होऊन कुटुंबामध्ये सतत कलह असणे, नोकरी किंवा व्यवसायामध्ये सतत अडचणी येऊन वृद्धी न होणे, अपत्यप्राप्ती न होणे. ह्या अडचणींना आपल्याला सामोरं जावं लागत असेल तर आपल्याला पितृदोष आहे असं समजावं. ह्या दोषांचा परिहार होण्यासाठी पितृपूजा करावी. 

पितृपूजांमधली सर्वात सोपी पूजा म्हणजे अमावास्येला पितरांना तिलांजली देणे म्हणजेच तीळ आणि पाणी वापरून तर्पण करणे. ह्या पूजेला आपल्याला फार खर्च करायला लागत नाही.

सर्व अमावास्यांमध्ये तीन अमावस्या महत्वाच्या आहेत. दक्षिणायन सुरु होण्याआधीची अमावस्या, उत्तरायण सुरू होण्याआधीची अमावस्या आणि ह्या दोघांमधली म्हणजेच महालय अमावस्या. आणि ह्या तीन अमावास्यांमध्ये महालय अमावास्येचं महत्व सर्वात जास्त आहे. ह्या दिवशीची पितृपूजा कधीही विसरू नये. 

पितृपूजा कोणी करावी, कशी करावी, काही नियम आणि बंधनं 

ज्यांचे माता पिता दिवंगत झाले अशा स्त्री पुरुषांनी पितृपूजा करावी. पुरुषांनी अमावास्येला तीळ आणि पाणी वापरून पितरांना तर्पण करणे (तिलांजली) ही सर्वात सोपी आणि परिणामकारक पूजा आहे. ज्या स्त्रियांना मूल नाहीये आणि ज्यांचे माता पिता दिवंगत झाले आहेत त्यांनी अमावास्येला दिवसभरात व्रत करावं (सूर्यास्तापर्यंत उपवास करावा), एक पान वाढून बाहेर कावळ्यासाठी ठेवावं किंवा आपल्या पेक्षा वयस्कर जे असतील त्यांना जेवण घालावं, देवळात दान द्यावं आणि व्रताच्या शेवटी घरातल्या देवासमोर किंवा देवळात दिवा लावावा. 

दर अमावास्येला कावळा किंवा गायीला घास देणे अशी पण पितृपूजेची पद्धत आहे. 

पितृपूजा आपल्या घरातली देवपूजा करण्याआधी करावी. पितृपूजा करण्याआधी गंगा आणि यमुना नद्यांचं स्मरण करावं. आपल्या पित्याच्या बाजूच्या तीन पिढ्या आणि मातेच्या बाजूच्या तीन पिढ्या ह्यांची नावांची यादी जवळ ठेवावी. संकल्पासाठी आपल्या गोत्राची नोंद करावी. आपलं गोत्र माहित नसल्यास नात्यांचा उच्चार करावा. तर्पण केल्यानंतर घरी किंवा देवळात जाऊन दिवा लावावा. तर्पण केलेलं पाणी जवळपास असलेल्या पाण्यामध्ये विसर्जन करावं आणि ब्राह्मणाला दक्षिणा द्यावी. 

हि पूजा आपण कुठेही करू शकतो. म्हणजे आपल्या घरी पण करू शकतो. शक्य असल्यास हि पूजा नदी काठी, समुद्राकाठी, किंवा रामेश्वरम, काशी, गया, इलाहाबाद, थिरुवेंगाडू ह्या पवित्र ठिकाणी करावी. पण ते जमत नसल्यास हि पूजा घरी केली तरी पण चालते.

Shri Someshwarar and Shri Thenarmozhiammai kovil

This is the 2nd Shiva temple associated with Mahamagam festival. This is the place where the string (uri in Tamil) which held the kalash fell and later on became a Shiva linga. The temple is more than 1500 years old and its located in the Kumbhakonam city to the south of Sarangapaani temple. Shri Someshwarar is one of the Padal Petra sthalam located on the southern bank of Kaveri, on the eastern side of Pattramaraikullam. This temple was revered by the Shaiva saint Sambandar.

Moolavar: Shri Someshwarar, Kayarohanar, Vyaah, Shri Sikkesar 

Devi: Shri Thenarmozhiyal, Shri Somasundari

Sacred Teertha: Mahamaham tank, Potramarai tank, Somateertha

Kshetra Vruksha: Bilva

This is an East facing temple with a five tiered Rajagopuram. It has a single parikrama with three entrances. Facing the sanctum we have Dhwajastambha, Balipeeth and Nandi deva in their usual position. Sanctum sanctorum consists of three parts namely Sanctum, Antarala and Arthamandap. The Shiva linga is swayambhoo linga. The Bana (top cylindrical portion of the linga) is a special type known as Narmada Bana. We come across the koshtamoorthys Shri Vinayaka, Shri Dakshinamoorthy, Shri Ardhanarishwarar, Shri Brahma, Goddess Durga in their usual positions. There are eight sculptures on the sanctum wall in worshiping position. In the parikrama we have the idols of Nalvar, Shri Bhairavar, Shri Shanishwarar, Shri Navgrahas and Shri Surya. Devis housed in a separate shrine. Near her shrine in a separate shrine we come across idol of Shri Sambandhar. Shri Somakandhar is in the inner mandap. In a separate shrine, we come across Shri Nataraja and Goddess Shivakaami. Shri Nataraja is also addressed as Kananattam Udayar. Shri Ganesha is housed in a separate shrine and he is known as Kalyanasundar Vinayaka. Shri Muruga is in a separate shrine with his consorts Shri Valli and Shri Deivanai. His idol is unique as he is seated on a peacock, has six faces and twelve hands but is wearing a paada-raksha on one foot. Saint Arunagirinathar has praised Shri Muruga at this place. At the main entrance to the temple, there is a shrine housing Shri Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Here they are addressed as Shri Maleesar and Shri Mangalanayaki. There is a separate Shrine for Shri Chozheeshwarar along with Goddess Tripurasundari. 

Special features: 

Karonam: When the navakarnikas (nine sacred rivers) came to Mahamagam tank for taking bath and absolving themselves from the sins there was chaos all around. At that time out of fear Goddess Parvati, embraced Shri Shiva. Hence this place came to be known as Shri Kaya-arohanam (Kaya means body, Arohanam means embraced). Hence Shri Shiva is known as Kaya-rohanar. The name of the place later on changed to Karonam. 

Somesham: Shri Soma (Chandra) came and worshiped Shri Shiva at this place to get rid of the curse given by Brihaspati (i.e. Guru). He dug a tank for that purpose. Hence the place is known as Somesham and the tank was known as Somateertha which does not exist now. 

Vyaah-someshwarar: Shri Jupiter (Guru/ Brihaspati) worshiped Shri Someshwarar. Hence Shri Shiva is addressed as Vyaah-someshwarar (Vyaahan in Tamil means Thursday or Guru)

Shri Chozheeshwarar: The Chola king – Paranthaka Chola worshiped Shri Shiva and Goddess Tripurasundari at this place. Hence Shri Shiva is known as Shri Chozheeshwarar

Maleesar: Shri Vishnu is known as Mal. He worshiped Shri Shiva at this place for a year to receive boon for destroying the demons. Hence Shri Shiva is addressed as Maleesar. 

Kumbhakonam is considered more holier than Kashi. 

When you enter from North entrance we can have darshan of Shri Someshwarar and Shri Someshwari. This means that even if you enter from any of the three entrances we can have darshan of both Lord and the Goddess. 

Kananattam Udayar: Shri Nataraja and Shivagami are in separate shrine. Kananattam Udayar name of Shri Natraja means if a visitor to the temple goes out without visiting him, the loss is for the visitor, not for Shri Nataraja. He bestows his devotees with boon of prosperity in business and service. 

If one worships Kalyansundar Vinayaka for 11 Mondays, marriage obstacles are removed. 

Kshetra purana: It is attached to Mahamagam tank, Mahamagam festival and the pralay.

Festivals: 

Almost all festivals similar to other Shiva mandirs.

Maasi (Feb-March): Maasimagam Brahmotsav on a huge scale. Ashwini nakshatra, flag hoisting indicating beginning of festival. 8th day special pooja for Lord and Devi. 9th day Chariot festival; 10th day festival – procession of panchamoorthis on peacock, mooshaka and rishabha.

Panguni (March-April): Float festival. 

Chitrai (April-May): Saptasthanam festival

Vaikaasi (May-June): Tirukalyanam (wedding festival) 

Ani (June-July): Thirumanjanum

Aadi (July-August): 18th day festival, festival on nakshatra Puram

Temple timings: 6.30am to 12.30pm; 4pm to 8pm.

Courtesy: Following sites 

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/ and

https://temple.dinamalar.com/en/

Shri Aadikumbheshwarar temple

This temple is one of the temples connected with Mahamaga festival. It is situated in the heart of Kumbhakonam city. This is one of the Padal Petra Sthalam on the southern bank of river Kaveri. This is a East facing temple with three parikramas. The temple has a nine-tiered Rajagopuram. The temple is more than 1500 years old. The Shaiva saints Appar and Sambandar have sung hymns about this temple. The temple is one of the 51 Shaktipeethas. Shri Mangalambika Devi is addressed here as Shri Mantrapeetheshwari. This is the place where the Amruta Kalasha reached finally during the pralaya. 

Mulavar: Shri Kumbheswarar, Shri Amrudeshwarar, Shri Kuzhajar 
Devi (Consort): Shri Mangalambigai and Shri Mantrapeetheshwari.
Sacred teertha: Mahamagam tank, Potramarai kulam (well) and twelve other teerthas, Kaveri river
Kshetra Vriksha: Shami (Vanni in Tamil)

According to Kshetra purana, the Nava-kumarikas (nine rivers) who take bath in the Mahamagam tank, also take bath in the Putramarai kulam. 

The Shiva Linga in this temple is believed to have been made by Shri Shiva Himself after the pralaya i.e. at the beginning of new Yuga. He made this Linga by mixing sand, nectar and broken pieces of the kalash. This Shiva linga is in the same shape as a pot i.e. broad at the bottom and needle shape as it rises. This peetham is also a Vishnu shakti peeth. As Shri Shiva was responsible for protecting the seeds (beej) for creation by keeping it in a kumbha, He is known as Shri Kumbheshwarar.

Other deities and shrines: 

As we enter through the Rajagopuram, we come across balipeeth, dhwaja stambha and Nandi. In the first prakara, we come across the idols of 63 Nayanmars, Sapta-Matrikas, Kamadhenu and Bhava linga, Sarva linga, Eshana linga, Pashupathi linga, Rudra linga, Ugra linga, Bheem linga and Maha linga. 

Koshta-moorthies: 

Shri Dakshinamoorthy, Shri Bhairava, Shri Vishnu, Shri Chandikeshwarar in their usual positions. In the same parikrama, we come across idols of Shri Vinayaka, Shri Muruga, Shri Gajalakshmi, Shri Nataraja, Shri Somaskanda, Shri Keeratmoorthy, Shri Nalawar, Shri Veerabhadra, Shri Kashi-Vishwanath and Shri Vishalakshi, Shri Saraswati and Shri Jesthadevi. In this corridor, we come across a Ganesha idol known as Shri Valam Chuzhi Vinayaka whose trunk is curved towards the right. We also come across Shri Bhikshadanar, Akshaya linga, Sahasra linga, Shri Annapurni and Shri Mahalakshmi. When we enter 2nd prakaram, we come across the shrine of Goddess Parvati. We also come across the Shayana graha. In the 2nd corridor, there are idols of Shri Sattainathar, Shri Chandra, Shri Surya, Shri Vallabha-Ganesha, Shri Lakshmi-Narayan, Shri Vanni-Vinayaka, Shri Kumbh muni siddha. The idols of Shri Ashtabhuja Durga Devi, Shri Navaneet Vinayaka, Shri Kala-Bhairva, Shri Jwarakeshwarar, Shri Shasta, Shri Mahan Govind Dikshidar and Shri Nagambal. 

Special features:

In this temple the prakaram is designed in such a way that when we do pradakshina in the prakaram, we do pradakshina of both – Shri Shiva and Shri Mangalambika Devi together. This is in keeping up with purana in which Shri Ganesha went around the parents in order to go around the Universe. Hence it indicates that, the pradakshina of the parents is equivalent to doing pradakshina of the whole world i.e. they are everything that is in the world. 

As the Shiva Linga is made of sand there is no Abhisheka for the Shiva Linga. They apply, only punugu (civet – a cent) once in while. As the Shiva linga is very huge it is known as Mahalingam and it is inclined to one side. Abhishek is performed only to the base of Shiva Linga. There is a sculpture of a lion in the Navaratri mandap which is very unique.  People take a dip in the Mahamagam tank before taking bath in the Putramarai kulam.

Shri Mangalambika Devi is dressed in a yellow silk saree and her face is smeared with yellow turmeric paste and she has tilak of red vermillion (kunku). Shri Mangalanayaki is also known as Shri Mantrapeetheshwari. There is a separate shrine for Shri Keeratmoorthy and special abhishek is done in the evenings for Shri Mangalambika Devi. We come across Shri Muruga, seated on his mount peacock along with his consorts, Shri Valli and Shri Deivanai. He has six faces but has only 6 hands instead of twelve. 

There are fourteen holy teerthas associated with this temple namely – Mahamagam tank, Putramarai tank, Varun teertha, Kashyap teertha, Chakra teertha, Matanga teertha, Bhagawat teertha, Mangala teertha, Naag teertha, Kura teertha, Chandra teertha, Surya teertha, Gautam teertha and Varaha teertha. In this temple complex, there is one unfinished gopuram (knowing in Tamil as Mottaigopuram). The temple is sacred in all the three forms namely, Moorthy, Kshetra and Teertha. 

In the Navaratra mandap, 27 constellations and 12 zodiac signs are sculptured in one stone. There is a piped instrument known as Nadaswaram which is made of stone. 

It is to be noted that Shri Ganesha came here ahead of his parents. 

Shri Muruga got his mantra upadesha from his mother at this place. 

Festivals:

Almost all festivals similar to other Shiva mandirs.

Maasi (Feb-March): Maasimagam Brahmotsav on a huge scale. Ashwini nakshatra, flag hoisting indicating beginning of festival. 8th day special pooja for Lord and Devi. 9th day Chariot festival; 10th day festival – procession of panchamoorthis on peacock, mooshaka and rishabha.

Panguni (March-April): Float festival. 

Chitrai (April-May): Saptasthanam festival

Vaikaasi (May-June): Thirukalyanam (wedding festival) 

Ani (June-July): Thirumanjanam

Aadi (July-August): 18th day festival, festival on nakshatra Puram

Courtesy: Following sites 

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/ and
https://temple.dinamalar.com/en/