Kudanthai Karonam Sri Someswara Temple, Kumbakonam

Address

Kudanthai Karonam Sri Someswara Temple, Kumbakonam Post & Taluk, Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu – 612 001. Tele: +91 435 243 0349.

Diety

Sri Someswarar, Sri Kayarokanar, Sri Viyazha Somesar, Sri Sikkesar Amman:Sri Thenar Mozhiyammai, Sri

Introduction

Someswaran Temple is dedicated to the deity Shiva, located in Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, India. Shiva is worshipped as Someswaran, and is represented by the lingam. His consort Parvati is depicted as Somasundari. The presiding deity is revered in the 7th century Tamil Saiva canonical work, the Tevaram, written by Tamil saint poets known as the nayanars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam.The temple complex covers two acres and is located close to the Sarangapani temple. It houses two gateway towers known as gopurams. The tallest is the western tower, with five stories and a height of 72 feet (22 m). The temple has numerous shrines, with those of Someswaran, Somasundari and being the most prominent. Theertham (Holy water): Mahamaha Theertham (tank), Potramarai tank Sthala Vriksham (Sacred Tree): Vilvam tree

Puranic Significance

According to Hindu mythology, at the end of every “yuga”, there is a huge flood that leads to the destruction of all living beings in the earth. This is called the “Pralayam”. Lord Shiva, through Lord Brahma, arranged for the seeds of all living organisms and four Vedas and Puranas to be put in a pot (“Amutha Kalas” or Kumbham or Kudam in Tamil) filled with nectar (“amirtham”). This was decorated with flowers and cloth and a string was tied to it. This was kept on top of the Mount Kailash. When the Maha Pralayam started, it destroyed all living creatures on the earth. The Amutha Kalas also got displaced and started floating on the seas for years. Eventually when the Pralayam stopped, the Kalas settled in Kumbakonam. Then Lord Shiva took the form of a hunter (Kiratha Murthy) and split open the pot with his arrow. The life on earth started flourishing again. It is believed that when Lord Shiva opened the pot with his arrow, the pot broke and the decorative items on it fell in various places across the earth. Each of these pieces became Shivalingams. As per legend, it is believed that when the “Nava Kannikas” came to Mahaamaha tank to take a dip, there was a lot of noise and chaos. Goddess Parvathy embraced Lord Shiva (in the form of Arokanam) in fear. Hence this place gets the name “Kaya Arokanam” (“Kayam” means body and “Arokanam” means embraced) and the lord is known as “Sri Kayarokanar”. “Kaya Arokanam” has now changed to Karonam. Lord Mahavishnu is believed to have worshiped Lord Shiva here for one year to receive the boon to fight and destroy demons. Hence Lord Shiva here is known as “Sri Maleesar” (“Mal” meaning Lord Mahavishnu). Planet Jupitar (Guru/ Viyazhan) and Lord Chandran (moon) are believed to have worshiped the lord here. Chandran is also known as “Soman”, hence this place gets the name “Somesam” and the lord is praised as “Sri Viyazha Someswarar”. It is also believed that Chola King Paranthakan visited this place, installed a Shivalingam and worshiped it to seek the lord’s blessing for “santhana prapthi” (child boon). The lingam installed by him is known as “Sri Chozheesar” (derived from Chola).

Beliefs

Devotees pray to Lord Kalyana Vinayakar in this temple for 11 consecutive Mondays in order to seek the lord’s blessings and remove obstacles from their marriage proposals.

Special Features

Other than the Shrines and idols of lord Shiva and goddess Parvathy, shrines and idols of lords “Kalyana Sundara Vinayakar” and Murugan with his consorts, Nalvar, Bairavar, Saneeswarar, Navagraham and Suryan can be seen in the corridor. Procession idols of Natarajar with Sivakami and Somaskandhar are placed in the hall in front of the sanctum. There is also a separate shrine for Saint Thirugnanasambanthar near Goddess Parvathy’s shrine. In the “koshtam” (place surrounding the sanctum sanctorum), idols of Vinayakar, Dakshinamurthy, Arthanareeswarar, Brahma, Durgai and Chandikeswarar can be seen. There are shrines of Lord Chozheesar and Goddess Thiripurasundari, believed to have been worshiped by King Paranthakan. There are also shrines for Lord Maleesar and Goddess Mangala Nayaki, believed to have been worshiped by Lord Mahavishnu.

Festivals

“Maasi Maham” Brahmotsavam in the Tamil month of Masi (Feb-Mar) is celebrated here in a grand manner. Almost all festivals related to Shiva temples are celebrated here.