Thagadur Sri Mallikarjuneswara (Kottai Kovil) Temple, Dharmapuri

Address

Thagadur Sri Mallikarjuneswara (Kottai Kovil) Temple, Thagadur, Dharmapuri district, Tamil Nadu Phone: +91-4342- 268640

Diety

Mallikarjuneswara Amman: Kamakshi amman

Introduction

Kottai Kovil, located on the northern side of Dharmapuri, is temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. One of the highlights of this temple is the ‘Hanging pillar’. As per the locale belief, a secret passage in this temple connects it to Adhiyamankottai. The place has some great religious significance as thousands of devotees come here to worship the deity. The Mallikarjuneswara temple in Dharmapuri district stands out for its architecture. Presiding Deity is called as Mallikarjuneswar and Mother is called as Kamakshi amman. The Temple is considered as Thevara Vaippu Sthalam as Devaram hymns sung by Sundarar. The Temple is believed to be 1000 years old. There is a popular belief that this place was a part of the mythology Ramayana. One of the main features of Kottai Kovil temple is the Hanging pillar

Puranic Significance

Lord Shiva is a swayambumurthy in the temple. There are two hanging pillars speaking volumes of the sculptural skill of Tamilnadu. Emphasizing the greatness of Motherhood, the shrine of mother is at a higher level than of Lord. It has been renovated and is maintained by the government and people of Dharmapuri. Saint Puri Siddha appealed to Kulothunga Chola to renovate the shrine which was then known as Thiruvaliswaram, and accordingly, the king renovated the temple which came to be called `Chanayiram Muzhamayiram’. The inscriptions speak of the renovations made from time to time by several kings including Tipu Sultan. Sundaramurthy Nayanar, in one of his hymns, gives a passing reference to the temple. According to the puranic story there was a secret passage that connects this temple to Adhiyamankottai. There are carvings of Ramayana the base of the temple in counter clock direction. There is a popular belief that this place was a part of the Hindu mythology Ramayana. People from across the state and also from the other states come to view the powerful deity. One of the main features of Kottai Kovil temple is the Hanging pillar. To win the Kurukshetra war, Arjuna performed penance on Lord Shiva seeking the Pasupatha weapon boon. When Lord appeared before him to judge the purity of the penance, both entered into a war of words in connection with the killing of a pig and this burst into wrestling between them. Arjuna struck Lord with his bow. Lord appeared before Arjuna in real form. Arjuna fell at his feet and sought pardon with tears in eyes. Lord Shiva was happy to bless Arjuna with the Pasupatha weapon. From Sage Bharadwaja, Arjuna learnt that he had committed a sin by striking Lord. He performed Shiva Puja here with jasmine flowers – Mallikai in Tamil. Hence Lord is praised as Mallika Arjuna – Mallikarjuna. Chera King, Cheraman Peruman knowing the glory of the place, worshipped Lord Shiva in this temple. The shrine is considered one among the 1,008 ancient Siva temples. It was here that Indrajit, son of Ravana, performed a sacrifice to get boons from Goddess Nikumbalai. This is also the only temple where Prathyankira and Sulini, consorts of Sarabha, are worshipped.

Beliefs

Prayer in the temple is an effective treatment of diseases of any kind, say devotees. Above all, they are blessed with mental peace. People also pray for wedding, child, and family welfare boons and for relief from burden of debts

Special Features

Festivals

Aadipooram bangle festival and Friday Sandal Alankara and Poopandhal in July-August; 2 day Thai month Chandi Homa in January-February; Margazhi special pujas and Vaikunda Ekadasi festivals in DecemberJanuary; Vaikasi Car Festival in May-June; Navarathri in September-October are the main festivals celebrated in the temple. Also monthly pradosha days, Tamil and English New Year days are also observed drawing huge devotee crowd.