Sivakkozhuntheswarar Temple, Theerthanagiri – The
Temple
This east facing temple has a single corridor and its
main tower (Rajagopuram) has 3-tiers. Presiding Deity is called as Sivakozhundeeswarar
/ Shivalingeswarar / Thiruntheeswarar and is facing east. Lord Shiva is a
Swayambumurthy in the temple. It is believed that every year, Suryan worships
Lord Shiva for a period of three days from 20th to 22nd of the Tamil
month of Panguni (Mar-Apr) by illuminating the lingam in the sanctum. Lord
Shiva blesses the devotees sitting on a square peeta.
On the walls of the sanctum, one can see beautifully
chiseled sculptures. These sculptures depict the stories related to the Sthala
Puranam – the farmer couple, Lord Shiva ploughing the field and King
Veeraseran. The farm equipments used by the Lord to plough the lands, are still
in the temple. Mother is called as Neelathakshi / Neeladhambikai / Oppilanayagi
/ Karundhatankanni / Ilankombannal. Mother Oppila Nayaki graces from a separate
shrine facing south and she is 5 feet tall and looks majestic.
The lingam worshiped by Jambavan is inside the Goddess’s
shrine. The Mother sannidhi is in the first praharam on the right of the Nandi
and the Dwajasthambam. Lord Chandikeswara, who is maintaining a register of
visiting devotees, is with his consort. It is said that she is assisting
Chandikeswara in the job. Idols of Lord Mahavishnu and Lord Brahma can be seen
behind the sanctum sanctorum in a worshipping posture on either sides of Lord
Lingothbavar. Devotees can enjoy the darshan of all the three Lords
(Trimurthys) – Brahmma, Vishnu and Shiva here. This is considered to be very
auspicious.
There is also a sculpture of Narthana Ganapathy with
four “Boodha Ganas” (soldiers of the lord). An idol of Lord Natarajar can be
seen in a separate shrine along with idols of Lord Mahavishnu and Lord Brahma.
The Nataraja is ardhanari with ganga on the head and anklets on one leg. The
earrings are different on both sides. Agni is held in one hand and the damaru
in another. Here Lord Vishnu is seen with his conch and Lord Brahma with a
percussion instrument called “Panchamukha Vadhyam” (an instrument similar to
Tabla).
Lord Natarajar is seen in his Ananda Thandavam posture
to which Lord Vishnu is singing with his conch and Lord Brahma is playing the
Panchamukha Vadhyam. Such a display of the “Trimurthy” is very rare. This
Darshan is considered very beneficial to devotees aspiring excellence in music
and dance. They perform special pujas in this shrine and pray for the boon.
Mother Vishnu Durga graces from a separate shrine. Main Vinayaka of the
temple is Valampuri Vinayaka.
Lord Dakshinamurthy graces in a sitting form on a
peeta-platform with both legs bent. Muyalagan the ignorant is not seen
under his feet. His four disciples are around him. When farmer
couples served food to Lord Shiva, He took it sitting on the floor with his
legs bent. Lord Dakshinamurthy graces in this form. Praying to Lord
Dakshinamurthy will reward devotees with plenty of grains and food commodities.
Farm yields will be in plenty.
Shrines and idols of Lords Vinayakar, Murugan with his
consorts, Saint Thirugnanasambanthar, Nalvar, Yoga Dakshinamurthy, Brahma,
Vishnu, Durgai, Chandikeswarar with his consort, Valampuri Vinayakar,
Dhandapani, Agasthiar Lingam, Bairavar, Suryan, Navagraham and King Veeraseran
can be seen in the corridors. Theertham associated with this Temple is Jambava
Theertham. Jambava Thadaga Theertham is outside the temple. The Sthala
Vriksham of this temple is a Kondrai tree. In the corridor, there is a Kondrai
tree with a Shiva Lingam under it.
