शैव संप्रदाय - शिव मंदिरांचा उगम

दक्षिण भारतातील शिव मंदिरांबद्दलच्या माहितीस्वरूप लेखांमधला हा पहिला लेख आहे. शिव मंदिरांबद्दलचे लेख साधारण २०१५-१६ पासून इंग्लिश भाषेमध्ये आम्ही प्रकाशित करत आलो आहोत. त्याच लेखांतली माहिती आम्ही आता मराठी भाषेमध्ये प्रकाशित करत आहोत.

शिव मंदिरांचा उगम हा शैव संप्रदायामधून झाला. शिव भक्ती म्हणजेच भगवान शिवांना सर्वेसर्वा मानून त्यांची भक्ती करणाच्या परंपरेला शैव संप्रदाय असं म्हणतात.

शैव संप्रदाय हा भारतात अनुसरीत केल्या जाणाऱ्या पांच मुख्य संप्रदायांपैकी एक आहे.

शैव संप्रदायाला शिवपंथ किंवा नुसतच शैव असं पण म्हणलं जातं. ह्या संप्रदायाचे अनुसरण करणारे भगवान शिवांना सर्वेसर्वा मानतात. म्हणजेच भगवान शिव हे विश्वाचे प्रमुख असं समजतात. 

शैव संप्रदायाच्या अनुयायांनी शिव भक्तीचा प्रसार केला आणि त्यासाठीच त्यांनी विविध ठिकाणी भगवान शिवांची मंदिरे बांधली. दक्षिण भारतात शैव संप्रदायाचा प्रभाव सर्वात जास्त दिसतो आणि म्हणूनच दक्षिण भारतात भरपूर शिव मंदिरे दिसतात. 

मुख्यत्वेकरून भारत, श्रीलंका आणि नेपाळ ह्या देशांमध्ये ह्या संप्रदायाचं अनुसरण केलं जातं. ह्याशिवाय दक्षिण-पूर्व भागात म्हणजेच जावा, बाली, कंबोडिया सारख्या देशांमध्येपण ह्या संप्रदायाचा खूप प्रसार झालेला आढळतो.  

शैव संप्रदायामध्ये भरपूर साहित्य आहे. विविध तत्त्वप्रणालींचा ह्या साहित्यामध्ये समावेश आढळतो - द्वैत, अद्वैत, विशिष्टाद्वैत वगैरे. शैवसंप्रदायामध्ये विभूती धारण करणे (कपाळावर, शरीराच्या वेगवेगळ्या भागांवर विभूती/भस्म लावणे) हे शैव असल्याचं मुख्य लक्षण किंवा मुख्य खूण समजली जाते. शैवसाहित्यामध्ये विभूती धारण करताना उच्चारायचे मंत्र आणि उपचारांची माहिती स्पष्टपणे आढळते. ख्रिस्तपूर्व सुमारे २५०० वर्षांपासून भारतामध्ये (तत्कालीन सिंधू नदीच्या खोऱ्यांतील वस्ती) शिव उपासना कार्यरत आहे असे आढळते. ह्या समजुतीला आधार देणारे पुरावे (दस्त ऐवज) मोहेंजोदारो, हडप्पा आणि उत्तर भारत, उत्तर पाकिस्तान मधल्या पुरातत्व शास्त्रज्ञांनी प्रयोगासाठी/अभ्यासासाठी उत्खनन केलेल्या प्रदेशांमध्ये सापडले आहेत. शिवोपासना परंपरेची सुरुवात साधारणतः ख्रिस्तपूर्व २०० ते ख्रिस्तनंतर १०० वर्ष ह्या काळात झालेली आढळते आणि त्याचा मुख्य प्रसार हा गुप्त साम्राज्यात (ख्रिस्तनंतर ३२० ते ५०० ह्या काळामध्ये) झाला असं आढळून येतं. ह्या प्रसाराचं मुख्य श्रेय जातं ते त्या काळच्या पुराणकथनांसाठी काव्य रचणाऱ्या साहित्यिकांना आणि ते काव्य गाणाऱ्या कलाकारांना.

शैव संप्रदायाचा विकास कसा झाला:

स्मार्त:

शैव संप्रदायांतील अजून एक शाखा म्हणजे स्मार्त. ह्या शाखेमध्ये एकाच परमदेवतेला पुजण्याऐवजी देवांना समूहामध्ये पूजलं जातं. ह्याच शाखेतून पंचायतन पूजेचा उगम झाला. पंचायतन पूजेमध्ये पांच देवांच्या समूहाला पुजलं जातं. ते पांच देव म्हणजे - गणेश, सूर्य, विष्णू, शिव आणि देवी. ह्या पूजापद्धतीचा प्रसार मुख्यत्वेकरून आदि शंकराचार्यांनी केला. म्हणजे साधारण ख्रिस्तनंतर ७८८ ते ८२० ह्या मधला काळ. ह्या पूजापद्धतीचं वैशिष्ठ्य म्हणजे एक देव प्रधान मानून उरलेले देव हे त्याच, म्हणजे प्रधान मानलेल्या, देवाची रूपे आहेत असं समजून पूजा केली जाते. विशषतः तामिळनाडूमध्ये ह्यां पांच देवांबरोबर श्री सुब्रमण्यम म्हणजेच श्री षण्मुख ह्यांचीपण पूजा केली जाते. 

शैवसिद्धांताचां प्रभाव जास्तकरून दक्षिण भारतात आढळतो. किंबहुना जिथे जिथे तामिळ समाज आहे, म्हणजे दक्षिण भारत, श्रीलंका, मलेशिया, सिंगापूर, अशा प्रदेशांत शैवसिद्धांत प्रसिद्ध आहे. म्हणूनच दक्षिण भारतामध्ये, मुख्यत्वेकरून तामिळनाडू राज्यातील तंजावूर जिल्ह्याच्या परिसरात, भरपूर शिव मंदिरे आहेत. हा भाग चोळा साम्राज्याचा भाग होता. चोळा साम्राज्य हे साधारण ख्रिस्तनंतर ८०० ते १२०० ह्या काळामध्ये अस्तित्वात होतं. सहाव्या आणि सातव्या शतकांमध्ये तामिळ प्रदेशांत ६३ संतकवि होऊन गेले ज्यांनी शिवभक्तीपर काव्य रचली आणि गायली. ह्या ६३ कविंना एकत्रितरित्या नायनमार असं संबोधलं जातं. त्यांच्या कवितांचे साधारण १२ संच आहेत, ज्यांना एकत्रित थिरूमुराई असं संबोधलं.  

शैवसिद्धांताच्या शाखा:

1. वैदिक-पुराणिक शैववाद : ह्या शाखेचा उगम वेदांमध्ये आढळतो. दक्षिण आणि उत्तर भारतातील स्मार्त ब्राह्मणांनी ह्याचं अनुसरण केलं. ह्या शाखेमध्ये वैदिक धर्माचा सनातन धर्म म्हणून प्रचार झाला. ह्या मध्ये शिव पुराण हा प्रमुख ग्रंथ मानला जातो. 

2. अपुराणिक शैववाद: ह्या शाखेचे अनुयायी दीक्षा ग्रहण करतात. ह्या शाखेच्या परत दोन उपशाखा आहेत - अतिमार्ग (ज्यामध्ये मुक्ती हे प्रधान आणि एकमेव ध्येय मानलं जातं) आणि मंत्रमार्ग (ज्यामध्ये भुक्ती म्हणजेच ऐहिक सुखं आणि मुक्ती अशी दोन ध्येय मानली जातात)

3. पशुपत शैववाद: ही शाखा सर्वात पुरातन आहे. तपस्वी लोकं ह्याचं  अनुसरण करतात. ह्याचा प्रभाव मुख्यत्वेकरून गुजरात, काश्मीर आणि नेपाळ ह्या राज्यांमध्ये आढळतो. 

4. शैवसिद्धांत: ह्या शाखेला शिस्तबद्ध (नियमावली असणारं) तांत्रिक शैव असं समजलं जातं. एके काळी ह्या शाखेचं अनुसरण भारतभर होत होतं. काळाच्या ओघात दक्षिण भारतात ह्याचं अनुसरण सीमित झालं आणि काही काळांनंतर ही शाखा तामिळ शैव शाखेमध्ये मिसळून गेली. आणि म्हणूनच ही शाखा दक्षिण भारतीय समजली जाते. अजूनही ह्या शाखेचं अनुसरण जीवित आहे.

5. काश्मीर शैववाद: कपालिकांनी लिहिलेल्या भैरव तंत्राच्या व्याख्यांवर आधारित ही शाखा आहे.

6. नाथसिद्धसिद्धांत: ही शाखा मच्छिन्द्रनाथांनी सुरु केली. त्यांचा काळ साधारणत: ख्रिस्तनंतर  ८०० ते १००० दरम्यान होता. आणि ह्या शाखेची विस्तृती गोरखनाथांनी केली. त्यांचा काळ साधारणतः ख्रिस्तनंतर ९५० च्या दरम्यान होता. ह्या शाखेचा प्रभाव नेपाळ, उत्तर प्रदेश, बिहार, पश्चिम बंगाल आणि महाराष्ट्राच्या काही भागांमध्ये आहे. 

7. लिंगायत: ही शाखा बसवण्णांनी प्रसिद्ध केली. बसवण्णांचा काळ होता ख्रिस्तनंतर ११०५ ते ११६७.  ह्या शाखेचा प्रभाव कर्नाटक आणि आंध्र प्रदेशच्या काही भागात आढळतो. 

8. शिव अद्वैत: ही शाखा सुरु केली श्रीकांत ह्यांनी साधारणतः ख्रिस्तनंतर १०५० ह्या काळात. ह्या शाखेचा प्रभाव मूख्यत्वेकरून कर्नाटकात आढळतो. अप्पया दीक्षित (ख्रिस्तनंतर १५५४ - १६२६) ह्यांनी ह्या शाखेबद्दलच्या समजुतींचं निराकारण केलं.   

अस्वीकरण आणि शिष्टाचार:

ह्या लेखांमधली माहिती संकलित करताना विविध आचार्यांचे उपन्यास, दक्षिण भारतातील काही नियतकालिके, तसेच इंटरनेट वरील विविध ब्लॉग्स आणि वेबसाईट्स ह्यांचा आधार घेतला आहे. आपल्याला ह्या लेखांमध्ये काही त्रुटी आढळल्यास आम्हाला जरूर कळवा.

Pancha-krosha-sthala around Kumbhakonam

In ancient times there was a measure known as krosham in Tamil which denoted the distance. It is roughly around 1.3 miles or 2.08 kms in prevailing unit of measurement for distance. 

In those bygone days, some temples were identified as being within the range of 5 kroshas (roughly 6.5 miles or 10.4 kms) and were together known as Panchakrosha kshetras or Pancha krosha sthalam. 

In India we have five places or five sets of temples identified as Panchakroshi kshetra. They are 

1. Kashi 

2. Ujjain

3. Kumbhakonam 

4. Pazhaiyarai 

5. Thirunelveli 

In each of these places, the temples in the range of pancha krosha (roughly 6.5 miles or 10.4 kms) around each place are together called pancha krosha sthalas. For example, temples in the range of 10.4 kms around Kashi are called Pancha Krosha Sthalam around Kashi.  

Similarly temples in the range of 10.4 kms around Kumbhakonam are called Pancha Krosha Sthalas around Kumbhakonam. They are 

1. Shri Mahalingaswamy Temple at Thiruvidaimaruthur

2. Shri Nageshwara Swamy Temple at Thirunageshwaram 

3. Shri Sundareshwar Temple at Koranattukarupur  (popularly known as PettiAmman Kovil) 

4. Shri SwamynathSwamy temple at Swami Malai 

5. Shri Airawateshwarar Temple at Darasuram

In the bygone days there was a custom to visit these pancha krosha sthalas in one day starting from early morning when temples open till closing time of temples. Even now, people follow this custom. 

In upcoming weeks, we will be posting information of each of pancha krosha sthala around Kumbhakonam.

Courtesy: Various blogs and websites

Shri Kashivishwanathar temple in Kumbhakonam

This is one of the temples that participates in Mahamagam festival. This temple is situated on the Northern bank of Mahamagam tank. This is the north facing temple with three tiered Raja gopuram and covers an area of 2 acers. There are 2 parikramas. At the entrance, we have a beautiful arch which sculptures depicting the nava-kannikas. 

Mulavar: Shri Kashivishwanathar

Devi: Shri Vishalakshi

Kshetra vruksha: Bilva

Sacred tank: Mahamagam tank

About the temple, Shrines and idols – 1) The Dhwajastambha, Nandi and Balipeeth are at there usual position. At the base of Dhwajastambha there is an idol of Shri Vinayaka known as Shri Kodi-mar-Vinayak. The sanctum sanctorum consists of Mukh-mandap, Maha-mandap, Artha-mandap and sanctum. Shiva linga is a swaymbhoo linga. Koshta-moorthies are Shri Dakshinamurthy, Shri Lingodbhavar, Shri Durga Devi and Shri Brahma.

The Shrine of Shri Chandikeshwarar is in the usual position in the parikrama. Shri Parvati Devi is addressed here as Shri Vishalakshi. Her shrine is on the right side of sanctum. To the left of Mukta mandap we come across shrine of Shri Nataraja and Shri Shivakami Devi. To the right of Mahamandap we find, shrine of Shri Muruga with Shri Valli and Shri Deivanei and also the shrine of Shri Gajalakshmi. On the left side of Mahamandap, we come across the shrine of Shri Somaskandar and utsav murthis of Shri Navakannikas. Next to Shri Navakannikas shrine, we have the shayana-gruha and shrine of Shri Nataraja. On the northeast side of prakaram, we come across the Shiva linga worshipped by Shri Shriram, known as Kshetra linga under a neem tree. It is believed that this linga grows with time. In the parikrama we come across, shrine and idols of Shri Sapta-matrikas, Shri Bhairava, Shri Surya, Shri Chandra, Shri Shanishwar, Shri Jyeshtha Devi and Shri Aanjaneya. 

Kshetra purana:

Kudanthaikaronam: When Shri Shriram was separated from Shri Sita, he was in great agony and sorrow. Shri Shriram who had a soft character had to acquire a serious rudra (anger) to fight and win over Ravana who was a Shiva bhakta. For this purpose, he approached Sage Agastya who advised him to stay at this place and worship Shri Kashivishwanath. He followed the advice of the sage and got required strength. The Shiva linga worshipped by him is kept in the northeastern side of prakaram and is known as Kshetra-maha-linga. Shri Rama acquired required additional strength (arakkonam in Tamil) at this place. Hence the place got the name Koronam. Before that this place was known as Kudanthai. Hence it became – Kudanthaikaronam. 

Nava-kannikas: The 9 rivers, once went to Kailash and stated that they are unable to cleanse themselves of the sins left behind in them by the people. Shri Shiva advised them to go to Kumbhakonam and take holy dip in 3 tanks as mentioned earlier so that they will be cleansed of their burden. They did as per the Lord’s advice and worshipped Shri Kashivishwanath. They requested Him to stay there only for the sake of common people. Shri Shiva obliged them and came to this place along with Shri Vishalakshi Devi and stayed here. The temple has a shrine for Nava-kannikas at the entrance. In this temple, the idol of Shri Durga Devi is opposite to Shri Chandikeshwarar which is a very rare sight. 

Prayers: 

People believe that by coming to this place and worshipping Shri Kashi-Vishwanath and Shri Vishalakshi Devi, they can get rid of the problem of infertility (childless-ness). It is believed that those girls who have not attained puberty even after growing up can attain puberty by worshiping the nava-kannikas at this place for 11 successive Fridays. It is believed that by worshipping navakannikas at this place along with Shri Kashivishwanath and Shri Vishalakshi Devi, marriage obstacles are removed. 

Festivals: 

Thai (Jan-Feb) - Makar Sankranti 

Masi (Feb-Mar) - Mahashivaratri, 10 days of Mahamagam festival. On 9th day there is a ratha-yatra and nava-kannikas accompany Shri Shiva to the Mahamagam tank.

Chitrai (April-May) - Brahmotsav

Aadi (Jul-Aug): Aadi Pooram. 

Avani (August-Sept) - Ganesh chaturthi, 

Purattasi (Sept-Oct) - Annabhishek, Navaratri, arrow festival. 

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

Weekly rituals on Monday and Friday special pooja; 

Fortnight pradosh pooja, 

Monthly poojas on new moon day, full moon day, chaturthi and Kritika nakshatra. 

Daily temple timings – 6am – 12.30pm; 4 – 8.30pm

Courtesy: Various blogs and websites

Shri Kodeeshwarar kovil at Kottaiyur

This is the 12th Shiva temple associated with Mahamagam festival. At this place some drop of Amrut from the kalash fell into a well which later on got the name Amrut Kinaru (well). This temple is situated at Kottaiyur, a village at about 4 km from Kumbhakonam on the Kumbhakonam SwamiMalai route. This is one of the saptasthana temples associated with Aadi-Kumbheshwarar temple. It is one of the Padal Pethra Sthalam revered by the Shaiva saint Shri Thirunavurarasar. It is on the Northern bank of the river Kaveri. Saint Arungirinathar who revered Shri Murugan of this temple by singing a hymn in praise of him. 

Mulavar: Shri Kodeeshwar Swami, Shri Kailashnathar

Devi: Shri Panthadu (pandu = ball; adu = play) nayaki, Shri Kanthugageethambal

Puranik name: Koteeshwaram, Herandpuram, Vilvaranyam, Bahuraja puram, Chozheeswaram

Sacred teertha: River Kaveri, Kodi teertha, Amrut kinaru

Kshetra vruksha: Castor (oil) plant, Bilva

Kshetra purana: 

The temple is associated with Mahamagam festival and maha pralay.

Prince Suruchi: He was son of the king Sathyarthi of a northern kingdom (Thiriharta). The prince was cursed by Sage Badri to become a devil as the prince had disturbed sage during his penance and disrespected him. Sage Vyasa advised the king to come to this place along with his son to worship Lord Shiva so that the son can be absolved of the curses and the sin. The prince obeyed advice of Sage Vyasa. He took a dip in the teertha and worshipped Lord Shiva. He got rid of his curse and got his original form and glory. The king renovated the temple and made endowments for its upkeep. 

Kottaiyur: 

It is believed that Shri Shiva appeared in the midst of castor plants (Erundum in Tamil), Ammanaka plants. The main Shiva linga seems appeared to be formed out of fruits (seeds) of castor plant. Its texture is similar to the outer appearance of jackfruit. Hence Lord is known as Shri Koteeshwarar and the place is known as Kottaiyur. 

Shri Koteeshwarar: Sage Badrayogi visited many Shaiva temples in order to regain his lost spiritual power. Shri Shiva who was very much pleased with his devotion, blessed him with His darshan by showing one crore (Kodi) images of himself along with one crore images of Shri Vinayaka, one crore images of Shri Parvati Devi, one crore images of Shri Murugan and one crore images of Shri Chandikeshwarar. Hence Shri Shiva is known as Shri Koteeshwarar. It is believed that any good deed (punya) or bad deed done at this place, gets multiplied one crore times. 

Pandhadu nayaki:

As stated earlier, there is a ball under the feet of Shri Parvati Devi. Originally people believed that by coming to this place, there bad deeds (sins) gets multiplied one crore times, so people used to avoid coming to this place. Later on it became known that by worshipping the Shri Parvati Devi, their sins are kicked away just like the ball under Her feet. Hence all sorts of people come here to get rid of their sins and at the same time increase the good deeds (punya) done by them. 

Manuneedhi Chozha: 

The king Manuneedhi Chozha was famous for delivering the right justice. Once a calf of the cow was killed by the wheels of the chariot driven by his son. The king had installed a bell for the people to express there grievances. The cow came to the palace and rang the bell demanding justice for his son’s deed. When the king came to know about this incidence, he drove his chariot on his son’s body and killed him so that he will have the same pain as that of the cow in losing the calf. The Lord appeared and blessed him. 

Heranda maharshi (Sage Atri): 

Sage Atri did penance at this place under castor plants. Castor plants in Tamil is known as Heranda. Hence he is addressed as Herandar. There is a separate shrine for him in this temple. Heranda Maharshi is believed to have brought back Kaveri from patala loka. Once Aadi-Shesha came out of patala loka at Thiruvalanchuzi, he made a big hole (beela dwaram in Tamil) was formed at this place due to his act. River Kaveri who was flowing nearby started flowing through the hole into patala loka. The Chola king who was ruling the place got worried as the river stopped flowing through his land. He worshipped Lord Shiva so that she could come back from the patal loka. It is believed that Shri Shiva in his divine voice advised him that if a king or a sage sacrificed his life by entering the hole the river will come back again. The king sought the advice of Sage Heranda and confirmed that the divine voice that of Shri Shiva. When the king decided to enter the hole, in order to save the people, the Sage interrupted him and himself went into the hole as he felt that loss of king will be a great loss to the people of the kingdom. He brought back river Kaveri. Though he entered at Thiruvalnchuzhi he came out at Thiruvalampuram. He worshipped Lord Shiva at Thiruvalampuram and attained salvation. 

About temple:

This temple is about 2000 years old built by Chola and Pallava kings. The Shiva linga is a swayambhoo linga. This east facing temple has 5 tier Rajagopuram of about 60 ft in height. The temple is in a rectangular plot covering an area of 1 acre and has 2 prakarams. 

Deities and shrines in this temple: 

Shrines of Shri Shiva and Shri Parvati Devi, Shrine of Kodi (crore) Vinayaka, Shri Kodi Muruga, Shri Gajalaxmi Devi, Shri Nataraja, Shri Somakandha, Shri Mahalaxmi Devi, Navagraha, Shri Bhairava, Shri Jwarakeshwarar, Shri Shanishwar, Shri Surya, Shri Chandra, Mahalinga, Shri Shasta, Shaiva saints Naalavar, Panchbhoota lingas, Sage Herand (Sage Aatri muni) are in the corridor and hall. 

At the entrance to the sanctum we come across shrine of Shri Vinayaka on the left and Shri Dandayudhpaani (Shri Muruga) on right side. We come across Shri Nandi, Balipeeth & Dhwajastambha at there usual positions. Residing deity Shri Shiva is facing East. The Shiva linga has a texture similar to the outer surface of jackfruit. We get a feeling that it maybe made of castor seed. We find water droplets coming out from top of the lingam. 

The koshtamoorthies are Shri Nardana Vinayaka, Shri Dakshinamoorthy, Shri Bhairava, Shri Brahma, Shri Durga Devi & Shri Chandikeshwar. Shri Parvati Devi’s shrine (Panthadunayaki) faces the south. She is depicted with a ball under her feet as if she is playing with the ball. People worship her, as there is belief that she tosses away their sins like kicking the ball at her feet. Her shrine has a separate corridor with many beautiful sculptures on the wall. There is a beautiful sculpture depicting story of Chola king – Manuneedhi Chola at the 2nd entrance. Shri Murugan is praised here as Shri Kodeesubramanya and is seen here with his consorts Shri Valli and Shri Deivanai. The idol of Shri Vinayaka is known as Shri Kodi Vinayaka. We come across number of small Shri Vinayaka sculptured on the idol. He is believed to be Swayambhoo. At the time of renovation of the temple, even after digging 20 ft, he could not be moved as they could not reach the base of the idol. In the Navagraha shrine, the idols are big on their mounds. Shri Surya and Shri Chandra are on the chariot pulled by horses. Idol of Shri Durga Devi is Ashta bhuja Durga and she has her right leg a step ahead of her left leg. Kodeetirtha is a well which never dries. People believe that this water will purify them from sins and will cure all their diseases. It is believed to be created by Sage Heranda for performing abhisheka of Shri Shiva. The utsav Vinayaka idol with his consorts Riddhi and Siddhi resembles that of the idol at Thiruvalanchuzhi. There is a separate shrine for Sage Heranda (Aatri muni) in the front hall. He is depicted in meditation posture. Those who worship here – Shri Shriram, Shri Bramha, Shri Indra, Sage Narada, Sage Markandeya, Sage Atri (Heranda), Prince Suruchi, King Sathyarthi

Festivals and daily rituals:

Thai (Jan-Feb) - Makar Sankranti 

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

Chitrai (April-May) - Brahmotsav

Aadi (Jul-Aug): Aadi Pooram. 

Avani (August-Sept) - Ganesh chaturthi, 

Purattasi (Sept-Oct) - Annabhishek, Navaratri, arrow festival. 

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

Weekly rituals on Monday and Friday special pooja; 

Fortnight pradosh pooja, 

Monthly poojas on new moon day, full moon day, chaturthi and Kritika nakshatra. 

Prayers:

Worshipping Lord Shiva here gives the benefit of worshiping in one crore Shiva temples. Good deeds gets multiplied one crore times by worshipping here. Worshipping here benefits knowledge and education & removes evil effects. It is believed that by spilling water on the head from the Amrut kinaru (well) purifies the mind. 

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

Courtesy: Various blogs and websites

Shri Ekambareshwarar Temple

This is the 11th of 12 Shiva temples associated with Mahamagam festival. 

According to purana, this is the place where the remaining part of the kalash got scattered and became a Shiva linga. This temple is famous as Rahukaal-Kali kovil. It is believed that Rahu kaal pooja started from this temple. It is believed that the temple was constructed by Vishwakarma community. They worshipped Kaali as their main (community) deity. Hence they start their construction work by praying to her by placing a photograph before starting the work. 

Mulavar: Shri Ekambrareshwarar

Devi: Shri Kalika Parmeshwari, Shri Kamakshi Amman

Kshetra vruksha: Bilva

This is a west facing temple with a three tiered Rajagopuram. This Shiva linga is a swayambhoo linga and Lord Shiva is facing the west. At the entrance of his sanctum we come across Shri Ganesha & Shri Murugan on either side. We come across Shri Nandi, Dwajastambha and balipeeth facing the sanctum in there usual position. Devi is housed in a separate shrine facing the south in standing position. Here we come across Shri Nandi in front of her instead of the usual lion. In this temple, Devi is presumed to be the Shiva-shakti rup, hence we have Nandi in front of her. 

Generally during the Mahamagam festival all other 11 temples, associated with Mahamagam festival are represented by Shri Shiva and Shri Parvati Devi, but this temple is represented by Shri Kamakshi Devi. 

In a North facing shrine we come across Rahu-kaal-kaali who is addressed as Shri Kalika Parameshwari. At entrance of her shrine we come across idols of Shri Ganesha and Shri Naaga. She is ashta-bhooja Kali having different weapons on each of her hands. In front of her shrine we find the Ashta-Lakshmi mandap. In the northern side we have the shrine of a devi known as Shri Poonjolaimareri Amman. There are separate shrines for Shri Raja Ganapati, Shri Navagrahas, Shri Murugan with Shri Valli and Shri Deivanai and Shri Chandikeshwarar. 

Kshetra puran:

This temple is associated with maha pralay. It was built by Vishwakarma community whose main deity is Goddess Kaali. They first worship a picture of her before starting construction work by placing a photo at side. It is stated that all temples in Kumbakonam were first build only after installing Shri Kaali. As mother Kamakshi is supreme in this place, she represents this temple at Mahamagam festival.

Daily pooja: Prayer & Rahu kaal pooja is performed daily.

About Rahu kaal pooja – First Shri Raja-Ganapati is worshiped and then pooja of Shri Kaalika Parmeshwari is performed. It is believed that by performing Shri Kaalika Parameshwari pooja all problems will be solved. In this temple young girls pray for marriage and a good husband. It is believed that, visiting this temple is equivalent to visiting the Kanchipooram Ekambareshwar temple. 

Festivals: 

Thai (Jan-Feb) - Makar Sankranti 

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

Chitrai (April-May) - Brahmotsav

Aadi (Jul-Aug): Aadi Pooram. Sumangali (Savashin) pooja on puram nakshatra. On last Friday in month of Aadi, Thiruvilakku (Samai in Marathi) is performed

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

Courtesy: Various blogs and websites