Wednesday, January 18, 2017

Chozheeswaram Udayar Temple, Ilamkadambanur, Nagapattinam

Chozheeswaram Udayar Temple, Ilamkadambanur, Nagapattinam
Chozheeswaram Udayar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Ilamkadambanur Village near Sikkal in Nagapattinam Taluk in Nagapattinam District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Chozheeswaram Udayar / Chozheeswarar and Mother is called as Soundarya Nayaki. The Temple is considered as one of the Pancha Kadamba Sthalams.


Lord Muruga annihilated Sura Padman, his brothers and his army to safeguard Devas. Due to the killings, he acquired Veerahathi Dosha. Due to the Dosha, Lord Muruga prayed to Lord Shiva for relief. Lord Shiva advised Lord Murugan to worship him at Kilvelur, While worshipping Lord Shiva at Kilvelur, Lord Murugan installed five Shiva Lingas around Kilvelur and worshipped Lord Shiva to get rid of the sin of killing the demons during Sura Samhara. Hence these temples are collectively called as Pancha Kadamba Sthalams.
The Temple
This Temple is facing towards east with a three-tiered Rajagopuram. The Sanctum Sanctorum consists of Maha Mandapam, Artha Mandapam and Sanctum. Balipeedam, Dwajastambam (flag staff) and Nandhi Mandapam can be found facing the sanctum. It also has Vinayaka near the flag post. Presiding Deity is called as Chozheeswaram Udayar / Chozheeswarar and is east facing. . He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. Lord Shiva is a Swayambhu Moorthy in the form of a shell (Chozhi in Tamil). 


Utsava Idols in this Temple are Somaskandar and Sivakami. Shrine of Pradhana Vinayaka can be seen on the right side of sanctum. Mother is called as Soundarya Nayaki. She is housed in a separate south facing shrine. Her shrine is situated on the left side of the sanctum in Maha Mandapam. There are shrines for Valampuri Vinayaka, Shiva Durga, Chandikeswarar, Dakshinamurthy, Bhairava, Pidari Amman, Ayyanar, Navagrahas, Sani Bhagwan and Sun in the temple premises. Sthala Vriksham is Vanni Tree.


Temple Opening Time
The temple remains open from 8.00 a.m. to 9.30 a.m. and from 5.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m
Festivals
Vaikasi Visakam in May-June, Eka Dina Archana and monthly Pradoshams are celebrated here with much fanfare.
Prayers
As the place happens to be one to seek remedies for various Doshas, devotees throng the temple for solutions. Realizing their wishes, devotees offer whatever they could for the temple pujas and festivals.
Contact
Chozheeswaram Udayar Temple,
Ilamkadambanur, Perumkadambanur Post,
Nagapattinam District – 611 108
Mobile: +91 86087 17822
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 5 Kms from Aazhiyur, 5 Kms from Sikkal Railway Station, 7 Kms from Nagapattinam New Bus Stand, 8 Kms from Kilvelur, 8 Kms from Nagapattinam, 9 Kms from Nagapattinam Old Bus Stand and 140 Kms from Trichy Airport. The temple is situated at about 5 Kms from Aazhiyur on the Tiruvarur – Nagapattinam route. It is about 6 Kms far on the ECR Nagai road running via Chellur. 
Location