The Lord of the temple is
praised in the hymns of Saint Tirugnanasambandar. This is the 22nd Lord Shiva
temple on the southern bank of Cauvery praised in Thevaram hymns.
The temple is big in size facing east. Lord Vallabha Ganapathy
graces the devotees at the entrance. The temple has a five tier
Rajagopuram and vast outer prakara. There are shrines for Lord Vinayaka
and Lord Muruga at the entrance of the second tower. Shrine of Mother
Ambica is facing south. There is also a Nataraja mandap. At the
main entrance are shrines for Lord Somaskanda on one side and Mother Shakti and
Sthala Aideekamurthy on other sides. In the inner prakara are shrines for
Somaskanda, Arumuga Peruman (Muruga) and Gajalakshmi.
Mother Parvathi (Shakti)
worshipped Lord Shiva here, embraced and kissed Him, hence the place is named
Tiruchathi (Shakti) Mutham (kissing) Tiruchathimuttram. This form of
Mother embracing the Lord still exists in the temple. This form of Ambika
is depicted at the northern side near the sanctum sanctorum. Mother
performing penance standing on a single leg, is also depicted behind this
sculpture.
It is said that this a replica of Mother
Kamakshi embracing Lord in Kancheepuram. Mother Parvathi, Sage Agasthya,
Saints Gnanasambandar, Tirunavukkarasar, Arunagiri Nathar and Ramalinga Adigal
had worshipped Lord in this temple. Lord granted the Tiruvadi darshan (darshan
of the feet of Lord) to Saint Tirunavukkarasar in this place. Special
pujas are performed in the temple on full moon and new moon days.
Lord Shiva and Mother
Parvathi wanted to establish the truth that bhakti (piety) alone is the
singular path to salvation. Mother Parvathi was performing penance in the
Shathimuttram near the Surya Pushkarini Shoola theertha on the southern side of
Cauvery. But Lord delayed His darshan to Mother Parvathi. This
could not deter mother from Her resolute penance standing on a single
leg. Lord Shiva granted darshan to Mother as a fire ball. Yet,
knowing that the fire ball was but Lord Shiva, Mother Parvathi embraced the
fire jyoti. Lord Shiva was cooled. This shows that though problem
burn a family as fire, this could be solved by mutual love between the couples
Moolavar: Shivakozhundeesar, Thazhuva
Kuzhainda Nathar
Amman / Thayar: Perianayaki
Theertham: Shoola
Theertham
Pathigam: Thirunavukarasar
Old year: 1000-2000
years old
Historical Name: Sithimutham
This sivasthalam temple is located near Patteeswaram, anotherPaadal
Petra Sthalam. The nearest railway station is at Darasuram, which is on the
Thanjavur Kumbakonam section of the Southern Railway. This sivasthalam is at
a distance of about 8 Kms from Kumbakonam.
This temple is a lesser known one, almost
next door to the Patteeswaram Temple. According to the Sthala Puranam, Parvati
meditated on Shiva, standing on one foot, and he appeared in front of her at
this place as a column of fire. Parvati hugged the fire as her lord, and he
took the form of a lingam. Just outside the main sanctum is an idol showing
Parvati clasping the fire lingam in her arms. Here she is known as Brihann
Nayaki. The main deity is known as Shaktivaneswarar or Shivakozhundeeswarar.
Muthu Pandhal on the
first day of Aani in (June-July)
Thai month Ratha Sapthami in (January-February)
Karthikai Monday worship in (November-December) are the festivals celebrated
in the temple.
Lord of the temple is a swayambumurthy. Youth and virgins
awaiting marriage pray to Lord embraced by Mother Shakti for early wedding,
removal of bad aspects on them and a well and happily settled wedded
life. Also couples separated due to some difference of opinion will be
blessed with reunion.
Devotees perform abishek,
offer vastras and contribute for the renovation of the temple.
The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. and from 4.00 p.m. to
8.00 p.m.
Sri Shivakozhundeesar Temple, Tiruchathi Muttram-612 703, Thanjavur
district. +91 4374 267 237, 94436 78575, 94435 64221.
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.