Kudavasal Sri Koneswarar Temple, Thiruvarur

Address

Sri Koneswarar Temple, Kudavasal, Tiruvarur District, -612 601. Phone: +91- 94439 59839.

Diety

Sri Koneswarar, Amman: Sri Periyanayaki,

Introduction

Koneswarar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva in the town of Kudavasal in Thiruvarur District of Tamilnadu. Main Deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Koneswarar / Konanathan and his consort known as Periya Nayaki / Bhriha Nayaki. Rays of Sun fall on the Lord for three days during Panguni month-March-April. Theertham is known as Amrutha Theertham, seen in front of the temple and Sthala Vriksham is Plantain.This is one of the 78 Maadakovils, built on an elevation, by Ko Chenkata Chola Nayanar so that elephants cannot enter the sanctum. The Saivite saints, Sambandar and Arunagirinathar have sung praises of the temple. It is one of the shrines of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams – Shiva Sthalams glorified in the early medieval Thevaram poems by Tamil Saivite Nayanar Tirugnanasambandar. This is the 211th Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 94th Sthalam on the south side of river Cauvery in Chozha Nadu. Arunagirinathar composed Thirupugazh on Murugan of this temple. Theertham (Holy water): Amritha Theertham Sthala Vriksham (Sacred Tree): Vaazhai (Plantain tree)

Puranic Significance

This ancient temple was built by King Kochengat Chola. This is a Maadak Koil and it has 18 steps to reach Lord Shiva’s shrine. The lower part of this temple is known as “Kudavayir Kottam”. It is believed that Kochengat Chola imprisoned one of his enemies, Seran Kanaikkal Irumporai in this kottam. This temple finds mention in the Puranaanuru and Aganaanuru texts of the Sangam period (300 BC – 300 CE) literatures. The songs by famous poets Kudavayil Keerthanar and Kudavayil Nallathanar are also part of Aganaanuru. The historical names of this place are Garudathiri, Kathalivanam and Vanmikaachalam. This temple’s historical name is “Perunthirukkoil”. There are four stone inscriptions in this temple which date back to the period of Chola King Kulothungan-III. This temple is under the administrative control of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of Government of Tamil Nadu (HR&CE). 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. These places are – Kumbesam – this is the place where the Amutha Kalas stayed. This is presently known as Sri Aadhi Kumbeswarar temple (“Aadhi” means “the very beginning”). It is believed that Lord Kiratha Murthy himself made a Shivalingam with the broken pieces of the Kalas by mixing nectar and sand with it. He worshiped this lingam and stayed back in this place. The Shivalingam is in the shape of the neck of a pot (“Kudamukku” in Tamil). Somesam – This is the place where the Kalas’s string (“Uri” / “Sikkam” in Tamil) fell. This place is presently known as Sri Someswarar temple. Nagesam – This is the place where the Kalas’s “vilvam” (leaf used in poojas) fell. This place is presently known as Sri Nageswarar temple. Abhimugesam – This is the place where the Kalas’s coconut fell. This place is presently known as Sri Abhimugeswarar temple. Gautamesam – This is the place where the Kalas’s sacred thread fell. This place is presently known as Sri Gautameswarar temple. Kudavoil – This is the place where the Kalas’s rim fell. This place is presently known as Sri Koneswarar temple at Kudavasal. Kalayanallur (Saakkottai) – This is the place where the mid-portion of the Kalas fell. This place is presently known as Sri Amirthakalasa Nathar temple. Bhanathurai, – This is the place where Lord Shiva broke the Kalas with his arrow. This place is presently known as Sri Bhanapureeswarar temple. Maalathivanam – This is the place where the Kalas’s flowers fell. This place is presently known as Sri Aathikampatta Viswanathar temple. Sri Kalahastheeswarar Koil – This is the place where the Kalas’s “Chandan” fell. Sri Ekambareswarar temple – This is the place where the Kalas’s other decorative items fell. Kottaiyur Sri Koteeswarar temple – This is the place where some drops of the nectar fell. The nectar from the Kalas is believed to have reached the Mahaamaham and Potraamarai tanks. This nectar is also believed to have spread around an area of about 24 kms. In this radius, there are five Shiva temples which are known as “Panchakurosa Sthalams” (“pancha means five and “kurosa” is a unit of measurement used in ancient times). These temples are Thiruvidaimaruthur, Koranattu Karuppur, Thirunageswaram, Swamimalai, and Dharasuram. There is another version of this legend that involves Garudan (Garudazhvar), the eagle god and also the king of birds. Sage Kasyaba had two wives, Kathru and Vinathai. Garudan was the son of Vinathai. Vinathai was bound to Kathru as a slave. Kathru demanded the nectar from the celestial world to release Vinathai. To save his mother, Garudan flew to the celestial world and got the pot of nectar. While returning, a demon tried to snatch this pot from Garudan. Garudan placed the pot on a nearby anthill and fought with the demon and defeated him. However, when he came back to retrieve the pot, he could not find it as it had gotten covered by the anthill. He tore down the anthill with his sharp beak and was surprised to find a Shivalingam there. Lord Shiva appeared in front of Garudan. Garudan prayed to the lord asking him to save his mother. Lord Shiva rescued Vinathai from the bondage of Kathru. Garudan stayed here to worship the lord and also built this temple. Further, it is believed that this Shivalingam that Garudan discovered was actually the Kalas’s rim that fell here. The scratch marks from Garudan’s beak can still be seen on the Shivalingam. There is an idol of Garudan in this temple and sculptures of Garudan can also be seen in the compound walls of the temple. It is interesting to note that this is a feature usually seen in Vaishnava temples. It is believed that Garudan, Suryan, Agni, Jadayu, Sages Suthama, Thalappiyar, Birugu and Thirunapindhu have worshiped the lord here. It is believed that Sage Thirunapindhu worshiped the lord here. The lord was pleased by his worship and as a blessing, he cured the sage’s leprosy.

Beliefs

Devotees make it a practice to worship Lord Shiva, Suryan and Chandran here. It is believed that by doing so, they will be absolved of the sins that they have accrued by not performing the rituals for their ancestors (“Sradh”). Devotees also worship Lord Shiva of this temple for prosperity and wisdom.

Special Features

Other than the shrines of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy, shrines and idols of Vinayakar, Murugan (“Kudavayir Kumaran”) with his consorts, Thanthontrinathar, Kasi Viswanathar, Natarajar, Dakshinamurthy, Chandikeswarar, Sapthamathas, Navagraham, Bairavar (2), Chandran, Suryan, Soodha Munivar, Saneeswarar, few Shivalingams, Vinayakar with few Nagars, Nalvar, Sundaramurthy Nayanar with Paravai Nachiyar, Idumban, Dhandapani, Kalaimagal (Saraswathi) and Gajalakshmi can be seen in the main hall and corridors.There is also an idol of Garudan who can be seen worshiping Lord Shiva.There is no Durgai here as Goddess Parvathy herself is depicted as Brahathdurgai.

Festivals

The Koneswaram temple is well known for its celebration of the traditional Ther chariot festival, the Navaratri and Sivarathri functions. The Ther Chariot Festival lasts for twenty two days in April and focuses on preparing the deities and the community for Puthandu,