Lord of the temple is
praised in the hymns of Saint Sundarar.This is the 68th Shiva temple on the
southern bank of Cauvery praised in hymns.
The temple is facing east
with compound walls and entrance at the front. It has a 3 tier
Rajagopuram and a brick mandap of Naicker age. Ambica shrine is in the
north of this mandap facing south. North of the Maha Mandap are the
shrines of Lord Dandapani-Muruga in a small size and Lord Nardana Vinayaka on
the south. Nandi Bali Peeta is in the front mandap.
During the great
destruction-pralaya, a pot-Kalasa containing all lives stayed in this place,
hence the name Kalayanallur, according to sthala puranas. Lord Brahmma
had worshipped Lord Shiva in this place. Also this is the place where
Lord was pleased with the penance of Ambica and wedded Her. This event is
shown in a sculpture. Lord Dakshinamurthy adores the temple. Lord
Lingodhbava is of emerald stone. Lord Arthanareeswara is seen with His right
leg in a relaxing posture. Ambica stands facing the Lord.
Sangamangai near
Kancheepuram is the birth place of Sakkia Nayanar born in the month of Margazhi
(December-January) on a Pooradam star day. He was attached to Lord Shiva
and his devotees with the staunch faith that Lord Shiva alone can help a soul
to cross the ocean of life. Though appearing in his Sakya style (Sakyas
do not belong to Saivism and had a type of dressing different from Saivites)
Lord Shiva was ever in his thoughts. He was doing Shiva Puja secretly
without anybodys knowledge. While Nayanar was out on a day, he found a
Shiva Linga lying uncared for. He wanted to clean the Linga with abishek,
garland and worship but there was nothing for the purpose. Yet Nayanar
took a small stone considering it as a flower and placed it on Him chanting the
Shiva mantra-Nama Shivaya. What fell on Lord was not the stone but a
flower. Nayanar
continued his worship this way and had his food only then. As he was in a
Sakya attire, many thought that he was one against Lord Shiva but Lord alone
understood his devotion. One day, Sakkia Nayanar began to take his food
and suddenly realized that he had failed to do the puja and desparately ran for
the puja doing it with stones.
The
stones used for the puja fell at the feet of Lord Shiva in Mount Kailash.
He gave darshan to Nayanar with Mother Parvathi. As Sakkia Nayanar worshipped
Lord Shiva here, the place is known as Sakkottai
Moolavar:Amirthakadeswarar, Amirthakalasanathar
Urchavar:Amirthakalasanathar
Amman / Thayar:Amirthavalli
Thala Virutcham:Vanni
Theertham:Naalvedatheertham
Old year:1000-2000 years old
Historical Name:Kalayanallur
This sivasthalam temple is located 5 Kms from Kumbakonam on the way to Needamangalam. Another paadal petra sivasthalamTirukkarukkudi (Marudhanallur) is located 2 Kms. from here in the south-east direction.
Lord Shiva in the temple
is a Swayambumurthy.
Maha Shivrathri and Masi Magam in (February-March)
and Margazhi Tiruvadhirai in (December-January) are the festivals celebrated in
the temple.
People pray for various wishes.
Devotees offer
abishek, vastras to Lord and Mother and contribute for the renovation of the
temple.
Temple is open from 10 a.m to 11a.m and from 5 p.m to 7.pm
Sri
Amirtha Kalasa Nathar Temple, Sakkottai (Tiru Kalaya Nallur) ? 612 401.
Kumbakonam Taluk, Thanjavur district. +91 4352414 453, 98653 06840
Do:
- Do pray your Ishta Devata before pilgrimage to Temple.
- Do contact Temple Devasthanam information centre for enquiry, temple information and for Pooja details etc.
- Do reserve your travel and accommodation at Temple well in advance.
- Do bath and wear clean clothes before you enter the temple.
- Do concentrate on God and Goddess inside the temple.
- Do maintain silence and recite Om Namahsivaya or your Istamantram to yourself inside the temple.
- Do observe ancient custom and traditions while in Temple.
- Do respect religious sentiments at Temple.
- Do deposit your offerings in the hundi only.
Don't s:
- Do not come to Temple for any purpose other than worshipping of God and Goddess.
- Do not smoke at Temple.
- Do not consume alcoholic drinks at Temple.
- Do not eat non-vegetarian food in the Kshetram.
- Do not approach mediators for quick Darshanam. It may cause inconvenient to others.
- Do not carry any weapon inside the temple.
- Do not wear any head guards like helmets, caps, turbans and hats inside the temple premises.
- Do not perform Sastanga Pranama inside the Sanctum Sanctorum.
- Do not take much time while performing Sparsa Darshanam to God in Garbhagriha.
- Do not buy spurious prasadams from street vendors.
- Do not encourage beggars at Temple.
- Do not spit or create nuisance in the premises of the temple.