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/
No comments:
Post a Comment