Kozhumam Thandeswarar Temple, Tirupur

Address

Kozhumam, Madathukulam Taluk,

Tirupur District,

Tamil Nadu 642 102

Ph: +91 4252 278 827

Moolavar

Thandeswarar

Amman

Periyanayaki / Brihannayagi

Introduction

Thandeswarar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Kozhumam Village in Madathukulam Taluk in Tirupur District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Thandeswarar / Chozheeswarar and Mother is called as Periyanayaki / Brihannayagi. Kozhumam was also called as Sankararamanallur during ancient times. Kozhumam is situated on the banks of Amaravathi River where another river Kudriyar or Muthravathi joins Amaravathi. The Temple is situated on Udumalaipettai to Palani Route. Local Buses are available from Udumalaipettai to reach this Temple.

Puranic Significance

This Temple was constructed by King Veera Rajendra Chola of Kongu Chola branch during 13th century on the banks of river Amaravati.

Thandeswarar: The king wanted to have Nataraja (Cosmic Dancer), as the procession deity in this Temple. The sculptor failed twice in making the idol. The angry king ordered capital punishment to the sculptor if he failed in making the idol perfect in the third attempt. The broken sculptor begged the Lord to end his life himself instead of by the executors of the king. The Lord, in all sympathy, offered the sculptor his darshan and set himself beautifully as an idol. This Idol was named as Thandeswarar, the processional deity of the Temple. The Temple was also named after the processional deity.

Chozheeswarar: Once, King Veera Chola of Kongu Chola branch was suffering from the adverse effect of planet Sun. The region lost its luster and fertility. Scared king approached his Guru for a solution. As advised by him, he built this Shiva temple clearing the jungle area dense with Vilwa trees. Hence, the temple was built by Veera Chola, Lord came to be called as Chozheeswarar.

Then Chidambaram (Chidambaram of South): Lord Nataraja (Thandeswarar) appears here too with one leg upward as in Chidambaram temple. Hence, the shrine is known as Then Chidambaram (Chidambaram of the South).

Then Thanjai: Kozhumam popularly called as Then Thanjai (Thanjavur of the south is noted for hoary past, rich antiquity, history and tradition.

Kozhumam: It was earlier known as Kumanan Nagar as King Kumanan of Sangam Era was ruling this place. Later, a group (Kuzhu) of merchants were here doing trade, the place came to be known as Kuzhumur. Later, got corrupted to Kozhumam.

Beliefs

Devotees pray for removal of obstacles in marriage efforts, relief from Sani (Saturn) effects and for proficiency in arts, offering the Lord abishek and new clothes. Devotees perform abishek, archanas and offer vastras.

Special Features

This is an east facing temple with an uncompleted Rajagopuram and an entrance arch on the southern side. Dwajastambam, Balipeedam and Nandhi can be found immediately after the entrance arch facing sanctum. The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala, Artha mandapam and Maha Mandapam. There are shrines of Bala Murugan and Ganapathi on either side of the entrance of the Maha Mandapam

Presiding Deity is called as Thandeswarar / Chozheeswarar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. Dakshinamurthy and Durgai are the Koshta Idols located around the sanctum walls. Dakshinamurthy in this temple has only two disciples against the four according the tradition. But four disciples are found doing penance in the sanctum sanctorum wall.

Mother is called as Periyanayaki / Brihannayagi. She is housed in a separate east facing shrine. Jyestha Devi can be found in the front side of Mother Shrine. Sabha mandapam is in an elevated level with steps to climb. There is a shrine for Lord Nataraja (Thandeswarar) in the Temple premises. He appears here too with one leg upward as in Chidambaram temple. The idol is 5.5 feet tall. Hence, the shrine is known as Then Chidambaram (Chidambaram of the South).

There are shrines for Vinayagar, Agneeswarar, Chandikeswarar, Kala Bairavar, Navagrahas, Saneeswarar, Suryan and Naalvar in the Temple premises. Sthala Vriksham is Vilwa Tree. Theertham associated with this Temple is Amaravathy River. Inscriptions dated to 13th century AD can be found around sanctum walls, kumudam and Sabha mandapam, Adhishtanam and Kumudam. The inscription mainly speaks about the donations given to the temple.

Festivals

Thiruvadhirai Arudhra Darshan in Margazhi (December-January), Aani Uthiram (June-July), Mahashivaratri in Vaikasi (May-June), Full Moon days and Pradosha (13th day from New moon or full moon day) are devotionally celebrated in the temple.

References

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2020/02/thandeswarar-temple-kozhumam-tirupur.html