Kottai Kovil (Mallikarjuneswara Temple), Dharmapuri
Kottai Kovil, located on the northern
side of Dharmapuri, is temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. This temple is known
among the tourists for its rare sculptures and paintings. One of the highlights
of this temple is the 'Hanging pillar'. As per the locale belief, a secret
passage in this temple connects it to Adhiyamankottai. The place has some great
religious significance as thousands of devotees come here to worship the deity.
The Mallikarjuneswara temple in Dharmapuri district stands out for its
architecture.
The deity in this temple is considered
to be very powerful, and one who seeks the blessings always gets his or her
wish fulfilled by the deity. The deity here in this temple is Lord Shiva.
There is a popular belief that this
place was a part of the Hindu mythology Ramayana. People from across the state
and also from the other states come to view the powerful deity.
Moreover, some pictures and sculptures
that are carved in the temple premises give an exotic view to the entire place.
One of the main features of Kottai Kovil temple is the Hanging pillar.
Location
The temple is in the heart of
Dharmapuri town and is easily reachable. Dharmapuri is 67 km from Salem, 110
from Thiruvannamalai, 150 from Bangalore and 45 km from Krishnagiri. Bus and
rail facilities are available from all sides.
General Information
The sculptures of Ashtadhik Palakas –
deities of the eight directions – in Lord’s shrine are beautifully crafted
feasting the eyes of art lovers. Lord Vinayaka of the temple is
worshipped as Selva Ganapathy.
Temple's Speciality
Miracle Based: Lord Shiva is a swayambumurthy in the temple. There are
two hanging pillars weighing 2.5 tonnes speaking volumes of the sculptural
skill of Tamilnadu.
Scientific Based: Emphasizing the greatness of Motherhood, the shrine of
mother is at a higher level than of Lord.
Greatness of Temple
Mother Raja Durgambika appears so
realistically killing demon Mahishasura. This is the only temple in Tamilnadu
where Ambica Sulini appears pressing the demon of a buffalo head and human
body, holding his horn by the left hand and Her right leg on his neck.
She is in the sanctum sanctorum facing east.
Darmaputra the eldest of the Pandavas
worshipped Durga, the deity of Rahu planet and regained his kingdom. She
is holding three kinds of tridents called Rathnathrayam – cause, origin of the
cause and effect. Mother Sulini is dressed with complete sandal paste on
the 3rd Tuesday of Aadi month (July-August) for a day only.
On Sundays of the week pujas are
performed from 4.30 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. and again with Lord Kalabhairava from
5.30 p.m. to 6.00 p.m.
Lord Kalabhairava blesses the devotees
with triple powers of Sun, Moon and Jwala the fire. It is noteworthy that
the famous king of the region Thagadur Adhiyaman Neduman Anji and other kings
later had worshipped Kalabhairava here. Bhairava means one who frees
beings from fear who are subjected to the changes of time both in earth and
heaven.
Lord Kala Bhairava is the authority of
Time and is one who protects people even beyond its power. He offers asylum
to anyone surrendering at his feet. He protects the innocent and punishes
the guilty. He helps removing obstacles in marriage proposals and grants
child boon. He protects those under the adverse effects of planet Saturn
during his 7.5 years period and while on the 8th place in the life of
people. He ensures success in litigations, unity among partners in
business and profits. He protects devotees from any adverse effects
caused by any planet.
Special pujas are performed to Lord
Kala Bhairava on the 8th day of new moon fortnight – Ashtami and on Saturdays
and Sundays from 5.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. This is the famous place ruled by
charitable natured Adhiyaman Neduman Anji who presented the rare gooseberry of
longevity effect to Grand Old Tamil poetess Avvaiyar.
Lord Vishnu in his different Avatar
forms Yoga Narasimha, Sri Rama, Hayagriva and Lord Krishna had worshipped Lord
Mallikarjuneswara in this temple.
It is also believed that this Shiva
Sthala was established by Banasura. Great Tamil poets like Avvaiyar,
Arisil Kizhar, Ponmudiyar, Paranar, Kabilar, Nagayar, Adhiyan Vinnathanar and
Saivite Saints Sambandar and Sundarar had sung the glory of the place and
Lord.
Renovations were carried out during the
9th century. Lord Sri Rama had performed penance here. Lord Muruga
graces the devotees with his six faces sitting as Lord Ayyappa. His
peacock is holding a snake.
History
Lord Shiva is a swayambumurthy in the
temple. There are two hanging pillars speaking volumes of the sculptural
skill of Tamilnadu. Emphasizing the greatness of Motherhood, the shrine
of mother is at a higher level than of Lord. It has been renovated and is
maintained by the government and people of Dharmapuri.
Saint Puri Siddha appealed to
Kulothunga Chola to renovate the shrine which was then known as
Thiruvaliswaram, and accordingly, the king renovated the temple which came to
be called `Chanayiram Muzhamayiram'. The inscriptions speak of the renovations made from
time to time by several kings including Tipu Sultan. Sundaramurthy Nayanar, in
one of his hymns, gives a passing reference to the temple.
Legend
According to the puranic story there
was a secret passage that connects this temple to Adhiyamankottai. There are
carvings of Ramayana the base of the temple in counter clock direction. There
is a popular belief that this place was a part of the Hindu mythology Ramayana.
People from across the state and also from the other states come to view the
powerful deity.
Moreover some pictures and sculptures
that are beautifully carved in the temple premises give an exotic view to the
entire place. One of the main features of Kottai Kovil temple is the Hanging
pillar.
To win the Kurukshetra war, Arjuna
performed penance on Lord Shiva seeking the Pasupatha weapon boon. When
Lord appeared before him to judge the purity of the penance, both entered into
a war of words in connection with the killing of a pig and this burst into
wrestling between them. Arjuna struck Lord with his bow. Lord
appeared before Arjuna in real form. Arjuna fell at his feet and sought
pardon with tears in eyes. Lord Shiva was happy to bless Arjuna with the
Pasupatha weapon.
From Sage Bharadwaja, Arjuna learnt
that he had committed a sin by striking Lord. He performed Shiva Puja
here with jasmine flowers – Mallikai in Tamil. Hence Lord is praised as
Mallika Arjuna – Mallikarjuna. Chera King, Cheraman Peruman knowing the
glory of the place, worshipped Lord Shiva in this temple.
The shrine is considered one among the
1,008 ancient Siva temples. It was here that Indrajit, son of Ravana, performed
a sacrifice to get boons from Goddess Nikumbalai. This is also the only temple where Prathyankira and
Sulini, consorts of Sarabha, are worshipped.
Architecture
There is no Rajagopuram in this Temple.
Situated in an area called, `Fort,' is the temple for Lord Mallikarjuneswara,
popularly known as Eswaran Koil or Kamakshi Koil. There are two hanging pillars weighing 2.5 tonnes
speaking volumes of the sculptural skill of Tamilnadu. A paper can pass through
the gap easily.
According to chief priest Sivachariar
Selva Muthukumaraswami, the Lingam of Mallikarjuna at this temple is equated
with the presiding deity of Sri Sailam in Andhra Pradesh and is hailed as
Banalinga.
The temple is built on an area of about
1.5 acres. Though the shrine is conspicuous by the absence of the front
Rajagopuram, the vimanas attract one's attention. The Lingam of Mallikarjuna is placed on a square shaped
`Avudaiyar' with 36 `pattigais,' which denotes the 36 philosophical tenets in
accordance with `Sivagama.'
The Maha mandapam with its so-called
`hanging pillars' (so called because the base does not touch the ground) is an
architectural marvel. Each of the pillars weighs about two and half tonnes
and the carvings of beautiful damsels are engraved on them. In the sanctum sanctorum of the presiding deity is the sculpted figure of Goddess Lakshmi with
elephants on either side showering water on the deity.
The deities in the temple are
worshipped in accordance with the Kamika Agama. Chandi
Homam and Thiru Vilakku Puja are performed apart from the
regular Rahu Kala pujas. `Thiruvala Puja' and `Nisi Puja' are performed on full
Mondays.
Temple Opening Time
The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to
11.00 a.m. and from 4.00 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.
Festival
Aadipooram bangle festival and Friday
Sandal Alankara and Poopandhal in July-August; 2 day Thai month Chandi Homa in
January-February; Margazhi special pujas and Vaikunda Ekadasi festivals in
December-January; Vaikasi Car Festival in May-June; Navarathri in September-October
are the main festivals celebrated in the temple. Also monthly pradosha days,
Tamil and English New Year days are also observed drawing huge devotee crowd.
Prayers
Prayer in the temple is an effective
treatment of diseases of any kind, say devotees. Above all, they are
blessed with mental peace. People also pray for wedding, child, family
welfare boons and for relief from burden of debts.
Thanks giving
The main prayer commitment followed by
devotees is the Puja to the 18 steps in Mother Kamakshi shrine. The steps are
decorated with flowers. Abishek is performed with 16 items, turmeric and kumkum
tilak is offered mixed with cosmetic powders.
Devotees offer sari to mother with
nivedhanas of three kinds of fruits. Devotees perform abishek to Lord with oil,
cosmetic powders, honey, milk, curd, fruit juices, green coconuts, panchamirtham,
sandal, rosewater and sacred ash offering vastras. They also arrange feeding-Annadhanam.
Contact
Sri Mallikarjuneswara temple,
Thagadur, Dharmapuri.
Tamil Nadu
Phone: +91-4342- 268640
Connectivity
By Bus:
Buses are available from all places in
Dharmapuri to reach this temple.
By Train:
Nearest Railway Station is Dharmapuri
& Salem. After reaching railway station taxes and buses are available to
reach Kottai Kovil.
By Air:
The nearest airport is situated at
Salem 42 km away to Dharmapuri. The nearest International Airport is Bangalore
Airport which is situated at 170 km to Dharmapuri. After reaching Dharmapuri
buses and taxies are available to visit Kottai Kovil.