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.