Thirukkozhambiam Sri Kokileswarar Temple, Thanjavur

Address

Thirukkozhambiam Sri Kokileswarar Temple, Thirukkozhambiam, S.Pudur Post, Thiruvidaimaruthur Taluk, Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu – 612 205, Tele: +91- 4364-232 055, 232 005.

Diety

Kokileswarar Amman: Soundaranayagi

Introduction

Tirukozhambiam Kokileswarar Temple is a Hindu temple located at Thanjavur district. The presiding deity is Shiva. He is called as Kokileswarar. His consort is Soundara Nayaki. It is one of the 276 Paadal Petra Sthalams – Shiva Sthalams glorified in the early medieval Tevaram poems by Tamil Saivite Nayanar saints Tirunavukkarasar and Thirugnana Sambandar. According to Hindu legend, a person named Chandan was reborn as a nightingale (kokila) due to the curse of Indra. He meditated upon Shiva and reassumed his original form here.This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 35th Shiva Sthalam on the Southern bank of the river Cauveri in Chozha Nadu (Thenkarai). Theertham (Holy water): Brahma Theertham Sthala Vriksham (Sacred Tree): Vilva tree / Jasmine plant

Puranic Significance

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Thirukkozhambiam Sri Kokileswarar Temple – Mythological Significance

Construction & Administration
- Built by Queen Chembian Maadevi, wife of Chola King Kandarathithan.
- Currently managed by Tamil Nadu HR&CE.
Association with Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams
- Therezhunthur: Lord Shiva cursed Goddess Parvathi, turning her into a cow. Lord Mahavishnu acted as a shepherd.
- Thirukkozhambam: Goddess Parvathi (as a cow) worshipped Lord Shiva. A hoof mark was left on the Shivalingam.
- Thiruvaduthurai: Goddess Parvathi was freed from her curse and regained her original form.
- Thiruthuruthi (Kuthalam): Sage Bharatha’s yagna led to Goddess Parvathi emerging from the fire as a child.
- Ethirkolpadi: Lord Shiva was received as a groom by Sage Bharatha.
- Thiruvelvikudi: The wedding ceremony of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi was conducted here.
- Thirumanancheri: Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi granted darshan in their wedding form.
Goddess Parvathi’s Birth & Marriage
- Cursed to be born on earth, Parvathi emerged from Sage Bharatha’s yagna.
- Sage Bharatha raised her as his daughter and sought a suitable groom.
- Lord Shiva appeared and revealed that she was Goddess Parvathi.
- The reason for her birth was to fulfill her wish of being married on earth.
Origin of the Temple Name
- The cow’s hoof mark remains visible on the lingam’s base (Aavudayar).
- “Thiru Kolambiam” derives from “Kolambu” (hoof in Tamil).
- The deity is worshipped as “Sri Kozhambanathar”.
Lingodbhava Legend (Shiva as an Infinite Flame)
- Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu competed to determine superiority.
- Lord Shiva appeared as an infinite flame, challenging them to find its origin.
- Lord Vishnu accepted defeat, but Brahma lied, claiming he found the top.
- As punishment, Lord Shiva decreed that Brahma would have no temples dedicated to him.
- To seek redemption, Brahma created a sacred spring (Brahma Theertham) and worshipped Shiva here.
Chandan’s Transformation from a Nightingale
- A scholar named Chandan was cursed by Lord Indra and turned into a nightingale.
- Worshipped Lord Shiva at this temple and regained his human form.
- Since a nightingale (“Kokila” in Tamil) worshipped here, Shiva is known as “Sri Kokileswarar”.
Lord Indra’s Penance
- Indra performed penance here to be freed from a curse by Sage Gautama.

Beliefs

Devotees believe that by worshiping the lord here, obstacles from their marriage proposals will be removed.

Special Features

Other than the shrines of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy, shrines and idols of Vinayakar, Murugan, Natarajar, Gajalakshmi, Chola lingam, Saint Thirunavukkarasar (Appar), Suryan and Bairavar can be seen in the corridors. In the “koshtam” (place surrounding the sanctum sanctorum), idols of Vinayakar, Natarajar, Agasthiyar, Sattanathar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma, Arthanareeswarar, Pitchadanar, Durgai and Chandikeswarar can be seen. There is a relief where Queen Chembian Maadevi can be seen worshiping the lord. Behind the sanctum sanctorum, on either sides of Lord Lingothbavar, there are idols of Lord Mahavishnu and Lord Brahma in a worshipping posture. Devotees can enjoy the darshan of all the three lords (Trimurthys) – Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. This is considered to be very auspicious. The stone idols of Natarajar, Agasthiyar, Lingothbavar, Brahma, Arthanareeswarar and Pitchadanar are beautifully carved.

Festivals

Some of the important festivals celebrated in this temple are – Vinayakar Chaturthi in the Tamil month of Aavani (Aug-Sept), Somavaram (all Mondays) in the Tamil month of Karthikai (Nov-Dec), Shivrathri in the Tamil month of Masi (Feb-Mar) and Panguni Uthiram in the Tamil month of Panguni (Mar-Apr).