Koonthalur Jambukaranyeswarar Temple, Thanjavur
The
ancient Siva Temple in Koonthalur is reckoned to be 1,600 years old as it has
been sanctified by ancient Thevaram hymns. Lord Siva of Koonthalur is known as
Jambukaranyeswarar and His consort’s appellation is Ananda Valli. Koonthalur is
a Small riverside village situated 20 km from Kumbakonam on the way to Karaikal in the route of Koothanur Saraswathi Temple. Koonthalur keeps traditional,
natural originality by the way of Green Coconut Trees and Paddy forms.
Koonthalur
is famous for Koonthalur
Murugan Temple believed by Hindu
Lord Murugan devotees is the place to cure from Saturn Transition troubles. It
is located inside Jambukaranyeswarar Temple. This Temple is 1600 years old
ancient temple which is built by the ancient rulers of Pallavas and chola kings.
This Temple
of Lord Siva was worshipped by Tirugnanasambandar and Appar. Saint Roma Rishi worshipped the lord Siva and attains holy
blessings by lord Siva. This place was filled with Koonthapanai (a type of
palm) trees. This place is near to the famous Shiva temple at Thirucherai
and also on the road to Poonthottam. The temple is located in natural surroundings
abounding with coconut trees.
Legends
Falling of Strand of Sita Devi’s Hair:
The
legend has it that a strand of Sita Devi’s hair fell here while she was bathing
in the tank and hence this place is called Koonthalur.
Fox worshipping Lord Shiva:
This is
the place where a fox worshipped Lord Siva and hence Lord Siva is known as
Jambukaranyeswarar.
Sage Roma Rishi Worshipping Lord Shiva:
Sage
Roma Rishi worshiped Jambukaranyeswarar and did penance here for several
years. He could transform the hair strands of his beard into gold and used this
mystic power to help the poverty stricken people of that area. Lord Siva decided
to play a divine sport on his devotee, so one day Roma Rishi found he was
unable to bring out gold from his beard.
Upset at
this, he shaved off his beard and went straight to the temple without taking a
bath Since it was imperative for the body to be unblemished by dirt before
entering the temple, Lord Murugan and Lord Ganesha, stopped him at the
threshold. But Lord Siva himself came out of his abode to
give darshan to his devotee and proved mental purity is more
important than physical cleanliness.
The
Temple
The word
‘Jambu’ means Jamun and Aranyam is forest in Sanskrit. As this place abounded
with Jamun trees, it was known as Jambukaranyam in ancient times.
Initially people worshipped a Naduthari Lingam (Lingam with an axe- cut
on it) under a Jamun tree and later on, a temple was built there.
Jambukaranyeswarar represents the element, water. On entering the temple, we
find Lord Ganesha’s shrine to our left and Murugan’s shrine to our right and a
short corridor in between leads us to Lord Siva’s shrine.
Devi
Anandhavalli’s shrine lies to the left of Lord Shiva’s shrine, facing the south
and Devi graces her devotees with four arms. There is an idol of
Romarishi and a three feet tall statue of Chola King Kulothunga III. In the
circumambulatory path, there is a shrine for Lord Balasubramaniar.
Next to
this shrine, there is a Thara Lingam having 16 stripes on it, which is
assigned to the reign of Pallavas. There are niches for Lord Dakshinamurthy,
Lingothpavar, Brahma and Durgai in the circumambulatory path. The temple built
by Pallavas, was renovated during Chola dynasty and then in Krishnadeva’s
reign.
Although
the presiding deity of this temple is Lord Siva, Koonthalur is more popular as
a Murugan Temple. The holy tank Kumara Teertham was created by Lord
Kumaraguruparan. Lord Murugan’s shrine in this temple is in the eastern corner
which is unique. In this temple Murugan's shrine is also on the highest
platform.
Another
special feature of this temple is the Saneeswaran’s shrine opposite Lord
Murugan. Lord Murugan graces his devotees with his consorts Valli and Devasena
and his peacock facing the left. Lord Murugan assumes the role of Gnanaskandamurthy
at this temple where his idol dates from the Pallava period. His hair is woven
into a circular form atop his head resembling a crown (Jatamakudam).
He is
wearing Makara Kuzhai (fish shaped ornaments) on his ears. Ornaments adorn his
neck and sannaveeram runs across his chest. He holds the weapon Sakthi in his
upper right hand and Rudraksha mala in his upper left hand. His lower left
(front) hand rests on his thigh and he holds palm leaf manuscripts in his lower
right hand. Since he enlightens us with wisdom as Gnanaskanda Murthy, He holds
palm leaf manuscripts and Rudraksha mala in his hands.
Lord
Murugan is enshrined in the eastern side of the temple casting a sideward
glance towards Lord Saneeswara enshrined in the north eastern corner of the
temple. There is no Navagraham in this temple. The three lingams of Pallava
period bear testimony to the fact that Koonthalur Temple was a renowned temple
in the sixth century.
Sthala Theertham: Kumara Teertham
Sthala Vriksham: Vilvam
Temple
Opening Time
The
Temple is open from 7.30 am to 11 pm and 5 pm to 7 pm.
Literary
Mention
Arunagirinathar,
in one of his Kandar Alankaram verses, proclaims that adverse planetary effects
cannot harm us so long as Lord Murugan’s grace is upon us. Propitiation of Koonthalur
Kumaraguruparar relieves us of the malefic influence of Saneeswaran (Saturn)
caused by our past karma.
Saint
Arunagirinathar has extolled Koonthalur Kumaragurubaran in one of his
Thirupugazh hymns beginning with ‘haraiyinil vegu vazi sarndha mudanai.
The first part of the song is full of self-condemnation. Arunagirinathar,
taking upon him all the vices, misdeeds and short comings of others, rues his
indulgence in carnal pleasures and earthly delights. He pleads with Lord
Murugan to bless him with his devout worship.
In the
second part the saint elucidates Lord Murugan’s valour and praises His
benevolence. “You are the nephew of Lord Rama whose single arrow pulverized the
powerful sword held by the twenty shoulders of ten-headed Ravana. You
direct the scholars who deliberate on the sagas of your devotees, celestials,
sages and philanthropists towards the path of liberation. You obliterated the
demons who did not supplicate at your feet bedecked with jingling anklets and
the demons who; violated the rules of warfare. “Oh! Lord of Koonthalur! You are
the master of Lord Siva, who happily consumed the deadly poison and retained it
in His throat.”
The
ancient Siva Temple in Koonthalur is reckoned to be 1,600 years old as it
has been sanctified by ancient Thevaram hymns. Thirunavukarasar also sung Pathikam
on this temple.
Contact
Sri
Jambukaranyeswarar Temple
Koonthalur,
Poonthottam (via)
Nachiyar
Kovil (P.O), Kumbakonam
Thanjavur
District
Connectivity
The
temple is at a distance of 20 kilometers from Kumbhakonam city en route to
Poonthottam. Nearest Railway Station is located at Kumbakonam & Thanjavur
& Nearest Airport is located at Trichy.