Keerthivageeswarar Temple, Soolamangalam, Thanjavur
Keerthivageeswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to
Lord Shiva located at Soolamangalam in Papanasam Taluk in Thanjavur District of
Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Keerthivageeswarar / Kari Uritha
Nayanar and Mother is called as Alankara Valli. This temple is one of the 7
shrines associated with the Saptha Matrikas (Madhas / Mangais) around
Ayyampettai / Pasupathi Koil area in the Thanjavur – Papanasam (Kumbakonam)
route. This Temple is associated with Mother Kaumari. This Temple is also
considered as Thevara Vaipu Sthalam. Appar had visited this place and in one of
his Thevarams, he made a reference to this place.
Legends
For brief details, please refer below link;
The Temple
This is relatively a large temple with a three-tiered Rajagopuram. Presiding Deity is called as Keerthivageeswarar / Kari
Uritha Nayanar. The Lord is a Swayambumurthy, is always covered with a Kavacham
perhaps to signify the Elephant skin episode. Dakshinamurthy on the Koshtam is
also different here. Generally, he sits below the Kallala Tree. Here
he appears without the tree and his hair is present in the form of Jata
Mudi.
Mother is called as Alankara Valli. This temple is
having a special shrine which is not seen in any other temple. It is
that of Lord Astra Deva, the weapon maker for the deities. He prayed
to the Lord here and got lot of benefits. Though he is a weapon maker,
those who worship in this shrine, feel removal of enmity and negative
feelings. His idol which is in worshipping position, is around 4.5 feet
and is present near the entrance of the temple.
Sthala Vriksham is Vilvam and Theertham is Soola
Theertham. It is believed that the Theertham was created by the Lord using his
Trident (Soolam). Hence some people believe that the name of the place became
Soolamangalam after this Theertham. There are inscriptions belongs to
Kulothunga Chola III, Sundara Pandyan, Hoysala Kings talks about the grants and
social life of bygone era.
Temple
Opening Time
The temple remains open from 06.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m.
and 04.00 p.m. to 08.30 p.m.
Festivals
Mahasivarathri in February-March, Aipasi Annabishekam in
October-November and Margazhi Tiruvadhirai in December-January are the
festivals celebrated in the temple. This Temple is one of the seven places
forming seven Holy Kshetras in and around Pasupathi Koil where the annual
Saptha Sthanam festival is held in the month of Panguni. The Deities from the
main temple Chakkarapalli are taken in a procession in very huge
“kannadippallakkoo” weighing more than 2000 Kgs by bearers on bare foot over
more than 40 Kms in two days nonstop except for few hours halt at Kudamurutti
river sands for the fireworks show at 4 am.
Religious
Significance
For brief details, please refer below link;
Literary
Mention
This Temple is also considered as Thevara Vaipu Sthalam.
Appar had visited this place and in one of his Thevarams, he made a reference
to this place.
நறையூரில் சித்தீச்சரம் நள்ளாறு நாரையூர் நாகேச்சரம் நல்லூர் நல்ல
துறையூர் சோற்றுத்துறை சூலமங்கை தோணிபுரம் துருத்தி சோமேச்சரம்
உறையூர் கடல் ஒற்றியூர் ஊற்றத்தூர் ஓமாம்புலியூர் ஓர் ஏடகத்தும்
கறையூர் கருப்பறியல் கன்றாப்பூரும் கயிலாய நாதனையே காணலாமே.
துறையூர் சோற்றுத்துறை சூலமங்கை தோணிபுரம் துருத்தி சோமேச்சரம்
உறையூர் கடல் ஒற்றியூர் ஊற்றத்தூர் ஓமாம்புலியூர் ஓர் ஏடகத்தும்
கறையூர் கருப்பறியல் கன்றாப்பூரும் கயிலாய நாதனையே காணலாமே.
--திருநாவுக்கரசர் தேவாரம்
Connectivity
The temple is located at about 2 Kms from Soolamangalam
Road Bus Stop, 3 Kms from Pasupathikoil Bus Stop, 1 Km from Pasupathikoil
Railway Station, 4 Kms from Ayyampet Railway Station, 12.5 Kms from Papanasam,
17 Kms from Thanjavur, 15 Kms from Thiruvaiyaru, 14 Kms from Thingalur, 12 Kms
from Thirupazhanam, 27 Kms from Kumbakonam and 71 Kms from Trichy Airport. The
Temple is situated on Thanjavur – Kumbakonam Road.
