Thirukkodikkaval Sri Koteeswarar Temple, Thanjavur

Address

Thirukkodikkaval Sri Koteeswarar Temple, Thirukkodikkaval Post, Narasinganpettai Via, Thiruvidaimaruthur Taluk, Tanjure District, Tamil Nadu – 609 802.

Diety

Sri Kodeeswarar, Sri Vedhravaneswarar Amman: Sri Thiripurasundari, Sri Vadivambikai

Introduction

Thirukoteeswarar Temple is a Hindu temple located at Thirukodikaval in the Thiruvidaimarudur taluk of Thanjavur district. The temple is dedicated to Shiva. The earliest inscriptions in the temple date from 750 AD and belong to the reign of the Pallava king Nandivarman. The present structure is believed to have been constructed by Sembiyan Mahadevi, the mother of Uttama Chola in 979. Praises of the temple have been sung by the Saivite saints Appar and Sambandar. The temple was also visited by the saint Bhaskararaya of Bhaskararajapuram. The temple has separate shrines for Vinayaga, Muruga, Gajalakshmi, Saptha Kanniyar, Bhairavar, Surya, Chandra, Sani, Durvasa and Nataraja. It is learnt that the village does not have cremation or burial ground, as it is believed that there are several lingas buried under the ground. If anyone passes away, the body is taken to nearby village to cremate or bury. Theertham (Holy water): Sirungothbava Theertham, Cauvery river, Mukkodi Theertham Sthala Vriksham (Sacred Tree): Pirambu (cane variety)

Puranic Significance

Another legend associated with this place is that of Saint Haradhathar. Haradhathar was born in a Vaishnav family in Kanchanur, a nearby village. He later became an ardent Lord Shiva devotee. He used to visit 7 Shiva temples (Thiruvalankadu, Thiruvavaduthuri, Aduthurai, Thirumangalakkudi, Thirumanthurai, Thirukkodikka and Kanchanur) every day before taking his dinner. One day when he left this temple, there was heavy rain and in the darkness, he was unable to find the way back to his village. It is believed that Lord Shiva came in the guise of a villager and took him to Kanchanur. Haradhathar offered the prasad which he got from Kanchanur temple to that villager. When he visited this temple the next day, he was surprised to see that the food he had given to the villager last night was placed in front of the lord. Haradhathar realised that the villager was none other than Lord Shiva himself. According to legend, it is believed that all the 3 crores devas, sages and the angels of Hindu mythology (“Muppaththu Mukkodi Devarkal” in Tamil) have visited this temple and worshipped the lord. It is believed that the angels obtained salvation (“Sayujya Mukthi”) here. While granting his darshan to the Devas, Lord Thirukoteeswarar emphasised the sacredness of “Vedhravana Kshetram” (another name for Thirukkodikaval) and the Theerthams therein. The lord further said that “This, my kshetram here, is also known as “Bhaavagam”. It is situated on the banks of Cauvery theertham and it is very sacred. This kshetram is equal to my body. This tank, Sirungothbava Theertham, was created by Nandhi using his horns. Whoever takes a dip in it, is sure to be relieved of all distress and diseases (`rogam’ in Tamil)”. The lord further clarified that once when Mount Kailash and Thirukkodikkaval were placed on a balance, the latter weighed more thereby proving its greatness. Another legend is that the Azhwars (Vaishnava adiyarkals) were asked by Lord Venkatachalapathi of Thirupathi to worship Goddess Thripurasundari here before offering worship at Thirupathi. They could not reach this place as the river Cauveri was heavily flooded at that time. Sage Agasthyar appeared before them and advised them to pray to Lord “Karaiyetrum Vinayakar” to help them cross the river. The goddess is believed to have granted her darshan in the form of Lord Venkatachalapathi. It is believed that Lord Yama worshipped Lord Shiva here. Lord Shiva is believed to have instructed Lord Yama that he should not punish any of his devotees who visit Thirukkodikkaval and worship him here. Similar to Banaras, the people of Thirukkodikkaval do not fear the lord of death. It is also believed that there are 1008 devas surrounding Lord Shiva here and hence, there is no cremation ground (“Rudra Bhoomi”) in this village. The villagers are using the ground which is on the other side of the river bank. Another legend associated with this place is that of Saint Haradhathar. Haradhathar was born in a Vaishnav family in Kanchanur, a nearby village. He later became an ardent Lord Shiva devotee. He used to visit 7 Shiva temples (Thiruvalankadu, Thiruvavaduthuri, Aduthurai, Thirumangalakkudi, Thirumanthurai, Thirukkodikka and Kanchanur) every day before taking his dinner. One day when he left this temple, there was heavy rain and in the darkness, he was unable to find the way back to his village. It is believed that Lord Shiva came in the guise of a villager and took him to Kanchanur. Haradhathar offered the prasad which he got from Kanchanur temple to that villager. When he visited this temple the next day, he was surprised to see that the food he had given to the villager last night was placed in front of the lord. Haradhathar realised that the villager was none other than Lord Shiva himself. As per the Sthalapuranam, Sages Dhurvasar and Agasthiyar visited this place and had performed penance. It is also believed that Ram, Balaramar, Veerabhadrar and Kaali have worshiped the lord here to seek absolution for their sins. Also, Saint Karaikkal Ammaiyar is believed to have worshiped the lord here.

Beliefs

The Cauvery flows here as Uthiravahini (south to north direction). Taking a dip in the river and the theertham before worshiping the lord and goddess here in the Tamil month of Karthigai (Nov-Dec) is considered very auspicious. It is believed that by doing so one would be absolved of all their sins. It is believed that worshiping the lord on a Pradosham day would yield the same benefit of conducting the grand “Ashvametha yagna”. Since both Yama and Chitragupta can be worshiped together here, devotees believe that by worshiping them they would be relieved of “Yama Bhayam” (fear of death).

Special Features

This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 37th Shiva Sthalam on the northern bank of the river Cauvery in Chozha Nadu (Vadakarai). Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested). This east facing temple has two corridors and its main tower (Rajagopuram) has 5-tiers. The last consecration ceremony (Kumbabishekam) took place on 17.02.2014 and prior to that on 05.09.2001. Other than the shrines of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy, shrines and idols of Karaiyetrum Vinayakar, Murugan, Natarajar, Gajalakshmi, Kalabairavar, Suryan, Chandran, Nalvar, Sage Agasthiyar, Sage Dhurvasar and Chandikeswarar can be seen in the corridors. There is no Navagraham here. Apart from these idols, the corridors have Shivalingams in the names of the four vedas (Rig, Yajur, Sama and Atharvana) and three Shivalingams that were worshiped by the mukkodi Devas. Lord Saneeswarar and Lord Yama are facing each other. Similarly, Chitragupta (the Accountant of Lord Yama) and Sage Dhurvasar are placed opposite to each other. The idol of Saneeswarar’s wife Jeastadevi along with their son Manthi and daughter Mantha can be seen in a carving made out of a single stone. In the “koshtam” (place surrounding the sanctum sanctorum), idols of Narthana Vinayakar, Natarajar, Karaikkal Ammaiyar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma, Astapuja Durgai, Pitchadanar and Agasthiyar can be seen. Lord Brahma’s idol is in two places – one in koshtam and the other in a separate smaller shrine. The stone idol of Lord Natarajar with Goddess Sivakami is very beautiful and is worth seeing.

Festivals

Vinayakar Chaturthi in the Tamil month of Aavani (Aug-Sept), Navarathri in the Tamil month of Purattasi (Sept-Oct), Skanda Shashti and Annabishekam in the Tamil month of Aippasi (Oct – Nov),