Thirukazhukundram Rudra Kodeeswarar Temple, Kanchipuram

Address

Thirukazhukundram Rudra Kodeeswarar Temple, Thirukazhukundram, Kanchipuram District -603109

Diety

Rudra Kodeeswarar Amman: Pennin Nallal / Thirupurasundari

Introduction

Rudra Kodeeswarar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Thirukazhukundram, an outskirt of Chennai City in Kanchipuram District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Rudra Kodeeswarar and Mother is called as Pennin Nallal / Thirupurasundari. This temple is more than 1000 Years old shiva temple. The Temple is considered as Thevara Vaippu Sthalam as Devaram hymns had a mention about this Temple. This Temple is located at about half a km east of Vedagiriswarar Temple. This temple situated at the foot of the hill near the Sangu Theertham. This temple is the oldest of the three temples in Thirukazhukundram. The locals know it as Rudran Koil.

Puranic Significance

It once happened that the celestial beings who could not bear the torture and the destruction caused by the demons, prayed to Lord Siva, who made one crore Rudras emerge from his body to destroy the demons. The Rudras had a very striking feature – thick tangled locks of hair, wearing garland made of skulls and jewels with symbols of snakes, carrying a trident (Trishula), with four armed hands each carrying weapons such as bow, arrow, discus etc. They bowed before Lord Shiva awaiting his order. Lord Shiva directed the Rudras to kill the demons and evil creatures that disturb and terrorize sadhus and devas and protect the universe. And the Rudras obediently followed the strict orders issued by Lord Shiva and kept the demons at bay, protecting the universe. It was then Lord Vishnu started churning the ocean to offer the panacea drink, Amrudha, to devas by excavating Mount Manthiragiri. From the plateau caused by the excavation, there emanated evil demons with grotesque shapes and figures with multiple heads, creating unimaginable horror and inflicting suffering to devas. This was brought to the notice of Lord Shiva. He then summoned the Rudras again and asked them to destroy the team of demons at once. However, the Rudras hesitated. When Lord Shiva enquired about the reason behind their reluctance to kill the demons, the Rudras stated that these demons were rife with malicious spirits now, but had once been carrying good spirits, and making intense penance thinking of Lord. They, thus, feared the sins that would accrue to them as a result of slaying the demons. Lord Shiva listened to the Rudras and comforted them saying they could atone their sins by praying Lord Vedagiriswarar, who was residing in Mother Earth. Then the One Crore Rudras then slayed the demons as per Lord Shiva’s instruction and then came down to Earth to pay obeisance to Lord Vedagiriswarar. Rudras were extremely pleased by the ambience at the Lord’s temple and the appearance of the mountain – the sound of water-drops falling into the river from falls, plants that smelt like sandalwood, platforms that shone like pristine crystal. As the Rudras neared the temple, Lord Shiva transformed himself into One Crore Shivalingas so as to enable the Rudras individually atone their sins by performing poojas and other deed including reciting prayers, showering the Linga with pure scented water and fragrant flowers. Lord Shiva immensely pleased with the prayers of the Rudras transformed himself and showed his real form to the Rudras by consuming all the one crore Shivalingas into his heart. The Rudras unanimously requested the Lord to grant them the boon of naming the land they worshipped Lord Shiva after them and hence the place was rightly named Rudrakoti Sthalam. Lord came to be called as Rudra Kodeeswarar. A temple was erected later. The sacred pond associated with the temple was called as Rudrakodi Theertham. The Goddess is called Pennilnallal (also known as Rudrakoteeswari). Once Vishnu came to see Shiva here in the form of Garuda; When Garudazhwar was waiting outside, before Vishnu came out, Nandikeswarar blew his breath over Garudazhwar and the feathers of Garudazhwar fell off. Shiva then punished Nandikeswarar by making him sink to the ground. When Nandi’s body started to sink into the ground, at the behest of Vishnu, Shiva stopped Nandikeswarar at that point. So, you can see Nandikeswarar partly buried at the ground.

Beliefs

According to Saiva Siddhanta, Rudra is the presiding deity of one of the five elements of Nature — Fire. Rudra is referred to in the Vedas, not as a sectarian deity, but as the Supreme Lord, who guides the Universe from one level of perfection to the higher one. Sri Rudram, which forms part of the Upanishads, speaks of the glory of Rudra and says that the Lord is always, pleased with obeisance and it offers salutations to him many times. Praying to Rudrakoteeswarar at this temple continuously during 16 Pradoshams, would rid one of ailments of the heart, hypertension, diabetes and also problems caused by planetary changes.The Vedas also speak about the presence of 11 Rudras and their consorts, 11 Rudranis. Of the 108 Sakthi Peetams, the 24th is considered to be Rudrakoti’s Sakthi. Devi Bhagavatham says that she adorns the Rudrani Peetam. It is believed that praying to her at the temple on nine full moon days helps a devotee unite in wedlock, lead a happy family life and be free from all afflictions. It is believed that each prayer is multiplied one crore times here hence it is a very sacred place to pray

Special Features

The temple is facing east with four tiered Rajagopuram. The Rudran Temple is older than the Vedagiriswarar Temple. As per procedure, one has to first visit Rudran Temple and then only the Vedagiriswarar Temple. The temple entrance has Nandi with his consort, Surya Prabha Devi on the wall. Balipeedam and Nandi are found facing the sanctum. Vinayaka and Murugan Shrines can be found near to the Temple entrance. Presiding Deity is called as Rudra Kodeeswarar. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. Lord is a Swaymbhu Moorthy. Dakshinamoorthy, Vinayaga, Brahma, Vishnu and Durga are the Koshta idols located around the sanctum walls. While in the Siva temples the image of Lingodbhava is found on the western side of the sanctum sanctorum, here one can find the image of Mahavishnu with Varada Hastham. Mother is called as Pennin Nallal / Thirupurasundari Abhirami / Rudrani. The shrine of the Goddess is situated on the left side and she looks southwards through an opening on the temple wall towards the Kali Temple at Vattaparai (circular rock), situated at some distance. It is believed that Mother Abirami, has calmed down Kali Devi, who was brimming with anger. Hence, she is appearing in a slightly reclined position

Festivals

During the Tamil Calendar month of Aani, a holy wedding ceremony (Thirukalyanam) will be held between Lord Shiva and Goddess. This temple is famous for worshipping the Lord during the days of Prathosham (thirteenth day of every fortnight in Hindu calendar). All the annual functions pertaining to a Sivan temple are being celebrated in this temple. At present, one-time pooja is being performed in this temple, every day. Since it is not known to many, the no. of devotees visiting this temple is very less compared to the hill temple in Thirukazhukundram.