Kodi Amman Temple, Thanjavur
Kodi
Amman Temple is a Hindu
temple situated at Sungan Thidal, 2 kms from the town of Thanjavur on the Thanjavur-Kumbakonam road. The city Thanjavur was probably named after
the demon who was killed by Goddess Kodi Amman, the main deity of the temple. The
Utsava idols of this temple are located in a separate temple in faraway place. The
Goddess bears Lord Shiva on her head which is unique. Goddess Kali came to this
place to kill the demon as the representative of Lord Shiva, hence bears him on
her head.
Legends
Slaying of Demon Thanjan by Kali:
As per
the legend, the demon Thanjan got boon from Lord Shiva and became very
powerful. He was troubling the Devas who had inhabited the site where the
temple is currently located. The Devas sought Shiva's help. Lord Shiva sent his
consort to help them. The Goddess took the form of Pachai Kali (her complexion
in green color) and started fighting the demon. However, the demon started
taking different forms and was reappeared crore (kodi) times.
Kali
became very ferocious and turned red in color and was called as Pavala Kali. As
she ultimately killed the demon who took kodi forms, she was named as Kodi
Amman. The blood of demon flew as river and as it was reflecting in the body of
Goddess, her body turned into red, as per another version. As per the request
by Thanjan to the Goddess, the place was named as Thanjavur.
Slaying of Demon Thanjan & Tharakan by Kali:
There is
slightly a different version which states that the Goddess fought with two
demons Thanjan and Tharagan in order to protect Parasara rishi and his
disciples.
Reason behind the naming of this Amman:
As per
another version, as the temple is located at the corner of the city, the deity
was named as Kodi Amman. Kodi means corner in Tamil language.
Story behind the name Thanjavur
The name
of the place was Alagapuri when Thanjan was killed by Kali. The
place was renamed as Thanjavur after his name as requested by
him. Later, due to changes in pronunciations, it became Thanjavur.
Kali protecting the Chola Kingdom:
There is
another legend associated with this temple. There was a Chola king ruling this
region once. As his country was affected by drought, he sought advice from the
sage Vashista. As per his advice, he expelled a Brahmin who was associated with
an unchaste woman from his country. The Brahmin aligned himself with a king
named Chatrgopan, the enemy of the Chola kingdom. The king attacked the Chola Kingdom;
Kali took score of figures carrying burning woods and protected the boundary of
the Chola King. Thus the Goddess was named as Kodi Amman. The Chola king built
this temple.
Temple
Speciality
The name
Thanjavur came into being after the story of the Kali killing a demon here by
name Thanjan. All of us know that Lord Shiva bears Ganga on His head, but here
Goddess Kali bears Lord Shiva on Her head, hence, instead of the Lion
Temple
Architecture
This is
a village temple located in the outskirts of Tanjore city enroute to
Kumbakonam. It is close to a place called Sungan Tidal. The temple is very
small and has no tower. The sanctum Sanctorum has the five feet tall large
stucco red colored idol of Kodi Amman. She looks very ferocious. She has eight
arms and bears Lord Shiva on her head. There is a Nandhi and Soolam at the
entrance facing the Goddess.
The
height of the idol is 5 feet and is facing north. The deities Pachai Kali and
Pavala Kali are famous in this temple. Abishekams are conducted daily to these
deities. The Utsavar idols of Pachai Kali and Pavala kali are located in the
Thirugnanasambanthar madam adjoining Omli Pillayar koil in West Main Street
Thanjavur. The main festival is conducted in the Tamil Month of Masi for 11
days.
On a
Tuesday Kodi Amman will be taken in procession along the main street of
Thanjavur and the idol will be worshipped in each and every house of 64 Manai
Vellan Chettiars. Then the idol is taken to her village Kalimedu and she
returns back to the temple.
The main
shrine of Goddess Kodi Amman is facing east and the Moolavar is a sudhai idol.
The main Deity is flanked by two stone idols and Pavala Kali. Abhishekam are
performed only to these two idols. The entrance of the temple has the idols of
Ganesha, Subramanya and Shasta- Poorna-Pushkala.
The
temple has just one prakara. The idols mostly of village deities are located in
the prakara. Some of the idols present here include Madurai Veeran, Karupanna
Swami, Shiva Durga, Vishnu Durga, Shakti Linga, Raja Vishnu Durga, Swarna
Bhairava, Karuppannan, Dakshinamurti and Kala Bhairava.
Usually,
the processional (Utsava) metal idols are also present in the same
temple premises. However, the Utsava idols of Pachai Kali and Pavala Kali,
the deities of this temple, are located in Thirugnana Sambandhar Mutt adjoining
Omli Pillaiyar Temple in Mela Masi Veethi (West Main Street) in Tanjore.
Temple
Opening Time
The
temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. and 4.30 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Festivals
There is
a famous festival called Kali Attam connected to this temple where the Utsava
deities Pachai Kali and Pavala Kali are taken for procession. This Kaliattam
festival is observed in the temple either in the last week of Masi
(February-March) or in the first week of Panguni (March-April) by painting the
idols of Pachaimalai and Pavalakali taking them to each house. This is called
Kaliatta Vizha.
A puja
will also be performed by a representative of the king. People carry milk pots
during this festival. There are shrines for Pachaikali, Pavalakali and
Shoolakali in the West Street of Thanjavur.
Goddess
kali destroyed the demon Tharakan as per the prayers of the Saint Parasarar.
She took the form of Pachai Kali as an aspect of Shyamala Devi and her body
became red, stained by the blood of Tharakan. So she was called as Pavala Kali.
There is a festival called Kali Attam connected with this temple, Thanjavur
will commence with festivals of Lord Ayyanar and Kodi Amman.
The
Utsava idols in the west main street will be taken to the main temple and two
wooden figures of Pachai Kali and Pavala Kali will be taken in procession. The
Pachai Kali will commence her journey from Sri Sankara Narayana temple in west Main
Street while Pavala Kali starts from Sri Konganeeswarar temple of the same
street.
Both the
deities will go around the town with each Deity holding a kapalam made of
bronze and filled with Viboothi. The right of holding the kapalam is enjoyed by
64 Manai Vellan Chettiyars. After dancing in the streets for 3 times the
deities retire into the temples from where they started.
The Utsava
idols will then go to adjacent Kalimedu village where the villagers worship
them. Then they proceed to Kodi Amman temple via Bondiri Palayam enroute. After
being worshipped in Kodi Amman temple they return to the west main street
temple and with this festival Kali Attam is concluded.
Prayers
Relief
from the witchcraft effects caused by enemies, child boon are the prayers
placed at the feet of Goddess Kali. Devotees offer abishek and vastras to the
Goddess as their prayer commitment.
Contact
Sri
Kodiamman Temple,
Sungan Thidal, Thanjavur
Phone: +91-93671 82045
Connectivity
Goddess
kodi Amman temple is located in Thanjavur-Kumbakonam main bus route at a
distance of 3 km from Thanjavur. It is close to a place called Sungam Thavirtha
Chola Nallur (Now called Sungan Tidal), Thanjavur. Nearest Railway Station is
located at Thanjavur & Nearest Airport is located at Trichy.
References