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
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