Thirukkodikkaval Sri Koteeswarar Temple, Thanjavur

Address

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

Deity

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

Historical Significance

• The temple was built by Queen Chembian Maadevi, wife of Chola King Kandarathithan.
• It is under the administrative control of HR&CE, Tamil Nadu Government.
• The name Thiru Kolambiam is derived from the Tamil word “Kolambu” (hoof), as a cow’s hoof mark is imprinted on the Shivalingam.

Mythological Connections

• Goddess Parvathy’s Curse and Redemption
  • Cursed to become a cow at Therezhunthur by Lord Shiva.
  • Worshiped Shiva in cow form at Thirukkozhambam, accidentally leaving a hoof mark on the lingam.
  • Continued worship at Thiruvaduthurai, where she was relieved of her curse.
• Lord Brahma’s Curse and Redemption
  • Lost his right to have temples in his name after lying to Lord Shiva.
  • Worshipped Shiva here and created Brahma Theertham for relief.
• Chandan’s Redemption
  • A scholar cursed by Lord Indra to become a nightingale.
  • Worshipped Shiva here and regained his human form.
  • Since a nightingale (Kokila) worshiped here, Shiva is also called Sri Kokileswarar.

Significance of Thirukkodikkaval

• Saint Haradhathar’s Devotion
  • A Vaishnavite from Kanchanur who became a Shiva devotee.
  • Used to visit 7 Shiva temples daily before eating.
  • Got lost in heavy rain, and Lord Shiva, disguised as a villager, guided him home.
  • Next day, the prasad he offered the villager was found in front of the deity.
• Divine Presence & Sayujya Mukthi
  • It is believed that 3 crore devas, sages, and angels visited the temple and attained salvation.
  • Sirungothbava Theertham, a sacred tank, was created by Nandhi’s horns.
  • Taking a dip here is believed to cure all diseases.
• Comparison with Mount Kailash
  • When Kailash and Thirukkodikkaval were weighed, Thirukkodikkaval was heavier, proving its sacredness.
• Azhwars and Goddess Thripurasundari
  • Lord Venkatachalapathi of Tirupati asked Azhwars to worship Goddess Thripurasundari before visiting him.
  • The flooded Cauvery River blocked them, and Sage Agasthya advised them to pray to Karaiyetrum Vinayakar.
  • The Goddess then appeared in the form of Lord Venkatachalapathi.
• Yama’s Worship & Protection for Devotees
  • Lord Yama worshiped Lord Shiva here.
  • Shiva instructed Yama not to punish devotees who worship him at Thirukkodikkaval.
  • Similar to Varanasi, people here do not fear death.
  • No cremation ground in the village; burials are done across the river.

Other Important Worships & Legends

• Sages Dhurvasar and Agasthya performed penance here.
• Rama, Balarama, Veerabhadra, and Kaali worshipped here for absolution.
• Saint Karaikkal Ammaiyar also visited this temple for devotion.

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

Spiritual & Architectural Significance

• One of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams.
• 37th Shiva Sthalam on the northern bank of the Cauvery River in Chozha Nadu (Vadakarai).
• Lord Shiva is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested).
• Temple Structure:
  • East-facing temple with two corridors.
  • Rajagopuram (main tower) has 5 tiers.
• Kumbabishekam (Consecration Ceremony):
  • Last held on 17.02.2014.
  • Previous one on 05.09.2001.

Deities & Shrines

• Main Deities:
  • Lord Shiva
  • Goddess Parvathy
• Other Shrines & Idols in the Corridors:
  • Karaiyetrum Vinayakar, Murugan, Natarajar, Gajalakshmi, Kalabairavar, Suryan, Chandran, Nalvar, Sage Agasthiyar, Sage Dhurvasar, and Chandikeswarar.
  • No Navagraham in the temple.
• Special Shiva Lingams:
  • Four Lingams named after the four Vedas (Rig, Yajur, Sama, Atharvana).
  • Three Lingams worshipped by the Mukkodi Devas.

Unique Aspects & Rare Idols

• Saneeswarar (Saturn) & Yama (God of Death) are facing each other.
• Chitragupta (Yama’s Accountant) & Sage Dhurvasar are also positioned opposite each other.
• Jeastadevi (Saneeswarar’s wife), along with their children Manthi & Mantha, is sculpted from a single stone.
• Koshtam (Sanctum Wall Idols):
  • Narthana Vinayakar, Natarajar, Karaikkal Ammaiyar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma, Astapuja Durgai, Pitchadanar, Agasthiyar.
  • Lord Brahma appears in two places: one in the koshtam and another in a separate shrine.
• Stone Idol of Lord Natarajar with Goddess Sivakami is a remarkable artwork and a must-see.

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),

Century/Period/Age

1000 to 2000 years old

Managed By

Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HRCE)

Nearest Bus Station

Thirukkodikkaval

Nearest Railway Station

Kutralam

Nearest Airport

Trichy

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