Thiru Kottaru (Thirukkottaram) Sri Iravadeswarar Temple, Thiruvarur

Diety: Sri Iraavadeswarar, Amman: Sri Vandamar Poonguzhali Ammai, Sri Sugantha Kunthalambigai
Temple Address: Thiru Kottaru (Thirukkottaram) Sri Iravadeswarar Temple, Thirukkottaram Post, Nedungadu Via, Nannilam Taluk, Thiruvarur District Tamil Nadu – 609603. Tele: +91 - 4368 - 261 447.
Open between: 06:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 04:00 AM to 08:30 AM

Introduction

This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 53rd Shiva Sthalam on the Southern bank of the river Cauveri in Chozha Nadu (Thenkarai). Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested). This east facing temple has a 3-tiered main tower (Rajagopuram) and it has a single corridor. The last consecration ceremony (Kumbabishekam) took place in the year 2009. Prior to that it was held in 1987 and 1937. This ancient temple is situated on the banks of river Vaanchiyaru. As per the stone inscriptions available here, this temple was built by the Chola King Kulothungan and the lord’s name is mentioned as “Rajendra Chozheeswaramudaiya Mahadevar”. Theertham (Holy water): Surya Theertham and river Vaanchiyaru Sthala Vriksham (Sacred Tree): Parijatha tree / Vilwam tree

Puranic Significance

This ancient temple is situated on the banks of river Vaanchiyaru. As per the stone inscriptions available here, this temple was built by the Chola King Kulothungan and the lord’s name is mentioned as “Rajendra Chozheeswaramudaiya Mahadevar”. This temple is now under the administrative control of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HRCE) Board of Tamil Nadu Government. However, the temple is not being maintained properly and is in a bad state. It is sad to see that the main tower as well as the towers in the sanctum are covered with a lot of weeds and plants. Even the grounds in the corridors are full of shrubs. The legend associated with this temple is that once Iraavadam, the white elephant of Lord Indhra, disrespected Sage Dhurvasar. One day, after finishing his daily worship in Kasi, Sage Dhurvasar met Lord Indra who was coming in his ceremonial procession. Sage Dhurvasar offered him a lotus flower which had been adorned on the lord. Without giving any respect, Indra took the flower and placed it on his white elephant which the elephant then removed and threw on the ground. The sage was angered by this and cursed the elephant to became an ordinary wild elephant. To seek relief from this curse, Iraavadam visited many Shiva temples. Kottaram is one such place that Iraavadam visited. It is believed that he created the river “Kottaru” by striking the clouds with his tusk and making the rain pour down. It is believed that he worshiped the lord with water from this river. (“Kotu” means tusk and “Aru” means river in Tamil). Hence this place gets the name Kottaru and the lord is praised as “Sri Iraavadeswarar”. This river is also known as Vanchiyaru. After worshiping Lod Shiva at many places, it is believed that Iraavadam was finally relieved of the curse at the Sri Sundareswarar temple in Madurai.Another legend associated with this temple is that of a sage called Subhaka Maharishi. He used to visit this temple daily to worship Lord Shiva. One day he was late and by the time he reached the temple, the door was closed. It is believed that he took the form of a honey bee and entered into the temple. He worshiped the lord and stayed back there itself. It is believed that since then a beehive remains in this temple’s sanctum wall. The idol of Sage Subhaka Maharishi can be seen in the corridor. It is believed that apart from Iraavadam, the lord of this temple has been worshiped by Lord Indra, Sage Agasthiyar and Sage Subhaka Maharishi.

Beliefs

It is believed that those seeking wedding boon can pray to the lord here. Devotees also worship Lord Shiva of this temple for prosperity and wisdom.

Special Features

Lords Bala Vinayakar, Murugan with his consorts, Dakshinamurthy, Brahma, Vishnu, Saint Thirugnanasambanthar, Saint Appar, Saint Sundaramurthy Nayanar with Paravai Nachiyar, Sarba Rajan (Nagar), Agasthiyeswarar, Subhaka Maharishi, Kailasanathar, Mahalakshmi, Durgai, Chandikeswarar, Bairavar, Suryan, Chandran and Navagraham can be seen in the corridors. In this temple, there are two “Pali Pedam”, one in front of the Nandhi and the other one behind it. There is a separate shrine for Lord Kumara Bhuvaneswarar. This west facing Shivlingam is believed to have been worshiped by Sage Agasthiyar, Sage Subhaka Maharishi and Kumarabhuvana Thevar. All the procession idols of this temple are kept in a safe at some other location. It is said that every year honey would be taken out from the beehive in the sanctum and “abhishekam” would be performed using it. However, this beehive is not there now. In his hymn of this temple, Saint Thirugnanasambanthar mentioned about the elephant Iraavatham’s worship and the river that he created.

Festivals

The important festivals celebrated in this temple are – Visaakam in the Tamil month of Vaikaasi (May-June) and Thiruvadhirai in the Tamil month of Markazhi (Dec-Jan). Pradosham is also observed regularly.