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/
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