Kottaimedu Sri Sangameswarar Temple, Coimbatore

Address

Eswaran Kovil St, Ukkadam, Kottaimedu,

Coimbatore,

Tamil Nadu 641001

Moolavar

Sri Sangameswarar

Amman

Sri Akilandeswari

Introduction

Kottaimedu Sri Sangameswarar Temple is dedicated to lord Shiva, Located in the Kottaimedu village, Coimbatore district, Tamilnadu. Here the presiding deity is called Sri Sangameswarar and Mother is called as Sri Akilandeswari. This temple is in the heart of Coimbatore City, once there was a fort, believed to be built during Tippu Sultan period and now the place bears the name of Kottaimedu, without any trace of Kottai / Fort. There are many stories behind the City’s name Coimbatore. One such story is… The name Covanputhur was named after an Irula King Covan, who ruled this region Perur Nadu. It was told that this place was once with Sangu flower plants / creepers. These plants were destroyed and the temple was built, hence temple was called as Sangeechuramudayar Temple and latter called as Sangameswarar temple.

Puranic Significance

The Temple is believed to be built during the 10^th century. The temple was completely destroyed during Mysore War-III and reconstructed after the fourth Mysore War.

Chola king Karikala was harboring the grief of not having heir to succeed him to the throne. He had a dream on a day about the miracles Lord Shiva in various places. He spoke to his Guru and scholars about the dream he had and believed that it could also grant him a child boon. As advised by them, he built 36 Shiva temples. This is the 31s t temple built by Karikala.

A demon performed severe penance on Lord Shiva and attained powerful boons that he could not be killed by any. Aiming to rule the Deva Loka (celestial world), he began to harass them and the sages. When they approached Indira for safety, he told them that Lord Shiva alone could save them. They came to this place which was full of Sangu pushpam flower plants and prayed Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva killed the demon. The lines of Brahmma Sutra are written on the head of the Shivalinga. Hence prayer to Him will save people from adverse destinies and even bring back life of the younger people facing their end. Lord Muruga graces the devotees in the form of Somaskanda killing the demon Surapanma. He is on his peacock vehicle as Lord Subramanya facing north, holding different weapons on His 12 hands. The structure of the temple is such that Lord Subramanya appears as the presiding deity. The shrine of Mother Akhilandeswari is on the left of the presiding deity. Sri Anjaneya graces in a pillar facing west.

Beliefs

It is the staunch belief of the devotees that prayer to Lord Sangameswara for the younger people on the verge of death would surely change the destiny and restore them to life. Mother Akhilandeswari graces the devotees in marriage alliances. There is cure for all diseases, child boon and solution to all and any problem in the family and success in business undertakings. Devotees perform abishek to Lord and Mother with Vastras.

Special Features

The temple is facing east with an entrance arch and mandapam. Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam and Nandhi are in the open Mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala and artha mandapam. In koshtam Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma and Durgai. In the Prakaram 63var, Somaskandar, Ambal, Kannimoola Ganapathi, Neelakandeswarar, Kasi Viswanathar, Visalakshi, Chandikeswarar, Vinayagar with Nagar under Peepal tree, Bhairavar and Navagrahas.

Ambal Sri Akilandeswari is in a separate temple like sannadhi facing east. In koshtam Brahmi, Kaumari, Varahi, Vaishnavi and Maheshwari. Arumuga is in a separate temple like sannadhi facing east in between Shiva and Ambal sannidhis. Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam and peacock vahana are in front. In addition to this there is an Elephant vahana in front of the sanctum sanctorum. The Temple was reconstructed during recent years with new stones and the fate of the old pillars and structures. The re-constructed temple complex consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala and artha mandapam and an open mukha mandapam. The adhisthana is with Upana, Pathabhandha adhisthana. A Two tier nagara vimana is over the sanctum.

Festivals

13 day Brahmmotsaam in Chithirai (April-May), Vaikasi Visakam (May-June), Aadipooram (July-August), Aadi Velli (July-August). Mahasivarathri (February-March), Annabishekam, Tirukarthikai (November-December), Thai Poosam (January-February), Skanda Sashti in Aipasi (OctoberNovember), Vinayaka Chaturthi and Navarathri in Purattasi (September-October) are the festivals celebrated in the temple.

References

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com