Koogaiyur Swarnapureeswarar Temple, Salem

Address

Koogaiyur Swarnapureeswarar Temple, Koogaiyur, Salem District – 606 301 Phone: +91 427 240 0415 Mobile: +91 93450 65727

Diety

Swarnapureeswarar Amman: Periyanayagi

Introduction

Swarnapureeswarar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Koogaiyur Village in Salem District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Swarnapureeswarar and Mother is called as Periyanayagi. This is one of the Pancha Bootha Sthalams installed by Vasishtar on the Northern banks of the Vasishta River representing the Sky (space) element. This Temple is considered as a Thevara Vaipu Sthalam. Thirunavukkarasar had mentioned about this Temple in one his hymns. This Temple is considered equivalent to Chidambaram Nataraja Temple.

Puranic Significance

The Temple was built in 7th Century AD. It was a brick structure. This brick structure was converted to granite structure by Ponparapina Rajaraja Kovalarayan on the orders of Kulothunga Chola III in 1184 AD. Once, Lord Guru visited Indra Loka to meet Lord Indra. Indra was arrogant and very busy in discussion with Devas. He did not respect Guru for a single instance. Lord Guru got angry and left Indra Loka. Indra Loka lost its pride without Lord Guru. Lord Indra too realized his mistake and searched for Lord Guru. Lord Guru was in formless form worshipping Lord Shiva amidst Amla forest in Koogaiyur. Lord Shiva gave darshan to Guru. At the same time, Lord Indra too reached the place and worshipped Lord Guru to forgive his mistakes. Since Lord Shiva gave darshan to Lord Guru, he is called as Ponparappina Eshwaran or Swarnapureeswarar. Daksha, father in law of Lord Shiva conducted Yagna without inviting Lord Shiva. Devas, Rishis and other celestial beings attended the Yagna. Lord Shiva got angry and demoted all of them from their divine posts. Later, on the advice of Suga Brahma Rishi, Saptha Rishis, particularly Sage Vasishta, installed Shiva Lingam on five places on the banks of Vasishta Nadhi and worshipped Lord Shiva. These five places are considered as Pancha Bootha Sthalams. This place represents Sky element. Lord Shiva brought back the life of the Son of a Sthapathy: When the son of the Sthapathy of this temple died due to snake poison, the Lord of this temple came in the form a Siddhar and brought the life of the boy.

Beliefs

People worship Lord Shiva for education and jobs. Also worship Lord to get relief from Navagraha Doshams. People pray to Bhairavar to get rid of fear, poverty and enmity. People pray to him with Ghee Lamp and Cashew Garland on Ashtami Days for Child Boon. Devotees also pray to Mother for clearing marriage obstacles.

Special Features

The Temple is situated on the North East of Koogaiyur Village. The Temple is facing west with five tiered Rajagopuram. There is 12 pillared Vasantha Mandapam immediately after Rajagopuram. Balipeedam and a big Adhikara Nandhi can be found after Vasantha Mandapam facing towards sanctum. Presiding Deity is called as Swarnapureeswarar. Lord is represented in the form of Lingam and is housed in the sanctum. Lord is Swayambu Moorthy. He is facing east. Nardana Ganapathy, Dhakshinamoorthy, Lingodhbava, Brahma, Vishnu and Swarna Durga are the Koshta Idols located around the sanctum walls. There are Idols of Suryan, Chandran, Karpaga Vinayaga, Subramanya, Chokkanathar and Chandikeswarar in the prakaram around the sanctum. Mother is called as Periyanayagi. Mother shrine was situated in the northwest of first prakaram. Now she is called as Adhi Amman and gracing the devotees from this place. Later during Kulothunga Chola III period. A separate shrine was built for Mother Periya Nayagi. There is also 108 Lingams in here shrine. There is Kubera Sthana Mandapam in from of Mother Shrine. It is famously called as Koogaiyur Kudangayazhagu. This Mandapam has been supported by four musical pillars. There are idols of Vinayagar, Lord Subramanya with his consorts Valli and Deivanai, Lord Vishnu with his consorts Sridevi and Bhoodevi, Aadhi Mahavishnu, Jyeshta Devi, Pradosha Nayagar and Nataraja in the Thiruchutru Mandapam. There is a shrine for Bhairavar in this Temple. People pray to him to get rid of fear, poverty and enmity. People pray to him with Ghee Lamp and Cashew Garland on Ashtami Days for Child Boon. There is also a shrine for Navagrahas in the Temple premises. Sthala Vriksham is Amla Tree (Nelli Maram). Theertham is Vasishta River.

Festivals

Chithra Pournami Car Festival, Aadi Pooram, Aadi Kiruthigai, Avani Chathurthi, Purattasi Navarathri, Aippasi Kanda Sashti, Aippasi Annabishekam, Karthigai Deepam, Margazhi Thiruvadirai, Arudra Dharisanam, Pongal, Tamil New Year, Thai Poosam, Masi Magam and Panguni Uthiram are the festivals celebrated here with much fanfare.