Mahudeshwarar Temple, Kodumudi – The Temple
This
huge temple complex has 3 entrances on the east side and through each gate one
can enter the shrines of Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma. The Temple is
situated on the western banks of river Cauvery. The east facing temple is 640
feet in length and 484 feet in breadth. The temple is a fairly big one with a
vast empty (parking) space in front and the wide Cauvery was flowing in front
of the temple; there was a good lengthy bathing Ghat. There is a Vinayagar
under a big tree near the bathing Ghat.
Sanctum:
Presiding
Deity is called as Magudeswarar / Malai Kolundeeswarar / Kodumudi Nathar. Lord
Shiva in the form of Swayambu lingam. During the last week of Aavani Tamil
Month and the first week of Panguni Tamil Month, the sun light enters through
the aperture of the Rajagopuram and falls on Lord Magudeshwara.
The Lord
was worshipped by Agasthya and his finger prints are seen on the
Lingam. The entrance to his shrine are guarded by Sun and Moon and Agni is
present on his forehead. Dhakshinamoorthy with a single Sanakatha sage and
with sadamudi is a unique depiction which you cannot see anywhere.
Mother Shrine:
Mother
is called as Tirupura Sundari / Mathurabhasini / Soundarya Nayaki / Vadivudaiya
Nayagi / Panmozhinayaki. During the last week of Aavani Tamil Month and the
first week of Panguni Tamil Month, the sun light enters through the aperture of
the Rajagopuram and falls on Mother. Mother Shrine is situated in the outer
prakaram of Lord Shiva Shrine. Near the Mother Shrine, there is a separate
shrine for Goddess Saraswathi.
Veera Narayana Perumal Shrine:
There is
a Vishnu shrine inside the premises with separate Dwajasthambam. Lord Vishnu is
in the name of Veera Narayana Perumal / Pallikonda Perumal in Anantha Sayana Kolam
(reclining posture) with Goddess Thirumangai Nachiyar (Maha Lakshmi) with
Adhiseshan offering protective hood over him. It is a large shrine
with Sridevi, Bhudevi, Brahma, Garudan, Narada, Vasudeva, Sudarsana Chakra,
Anjaneyar and Vibhishana.
The
Utsava Murthi is in front of the reclining Lord. The prakaram outside the
shrine contains the idols of the Azhwars, Udayavar and Paramapatha Nathar. There
are outdoor shrines for Thirumangai Nachiyar, Anjaneya and Saneeswarar. In
the Mandapam, some of the Ramayana scenes like Viswamithra Yagna, Thadagai
Vadham, removal of Ahalya Shapam and Pattabhishekam are depicted.
Brahma Shrine:
Brahma
is without his consort Saraswathi in the shrine here. There is a belief
that he is residing here alone as he is performing penance under the Vanni Tree
(Shami tree in Hindi). He is having only three faces (representing Icha,
Kriya and Gnana Shakthis) and the Vanni is considered as the fourth face of
Brahma. This Vanni tree is considered ageless and is very holy. While one
side of the tree is with thorns, the other side is without them. This is
explained as one-part Brahma and other Saraswathi.
This
tree does not flower or offer any fruits and only the leaves are used for all
purposes. These leaves even if immersed for years in water, do not get
spoiled. In fact, the devotees from this area who go for Pazhani
Kavadi Yatra, put some leaves in their pot carrying the Cauvery water to
Pazhani. Going around this Vanni tree for Kaal, Arai and Muzhu Mandalams (12,
24 and 48 days respectively) or the age of the person or 108 times, is
considered very auspicious.
Special
prayers and abishekams are performed to this Brahma on Mondays. Those who
are having ill effects of Shani or those born in Avittam star (Sravishta), get
lot of benefits by praying to this Brahma. It is believed to be very prosperous
if you can put the Vanni leaves of the Brahma tree, some coins and one lemon in
a bundle of new cloth and keep in your safe vault.
Natarajar Shrine:
The pose
of Shiva Natarajar (Kunjithapada Natarajar) is unique in this temple unlike
other temples, both his legs are on the Peetam. As per one of the legends,
Sage Bharadhwaja performed penance here and pleased with his prayers the Lord
appeared in the dancing posture with a grand orchestra. Hence this place is
also called Bharadhwaja Kshetram and there is a Theertham in his name.
Anjaneya Shrine:
Anjaneya
appears with biting teeth taking the Sanjeevi hill northward– the hill that
contains wealth of herbals. There is a bell on his tail.
Lord Ganesha Shrines:
Though
there are several Ganeshas in this temple, the most important one is called
Kaveri Kanda Ganesan (One who has seen Cauvery). Performing abishekam to
the Vinayakar with number of pots equivalent to one’s age, is considered very
important in this temple. Another special Vinayaka in this temple is called
Vyakrapada Vinayaka as he is having the feet of a tiger and the face of an
elephant. Lord Vyakrapada Vinayaka graces in a pillar in Perumal
shrine. This kind of Murthy is not seen in any other temple.
Parihara Hall:
It is a
parihara Sthalam for Naga Dosham. The parihara hall is within the temple
premises and it took about an hour and a half for the parihara pooja.
Theerthams:
Theerthams
associated with this Temple are Deva Theertham, Brahmma Theertham, Bharadhwaja
Theertham and Cauvery River. The river Cauvery which flows Southward from
Karnataka, turns 90 degrees in front of the temple and flows Eastward.
Nagar Worship:
Nagar
worship (serpent worship) is popular here as the divine serpent Adisesha was
for instrumental for the coming up of the temple.
Inscriptions:
The
Temple has lot of inscriptions from Pandya Kings. Pandiya kings have patronized
the temple regularly and because of the connection of Pandiya kings, this Shivasthalam
is called as Thiruppandi Kodumudi. Malayathvuja Pandian, Maravarman Sundarapandyan
and Pandiya Kesari Varman are some of the kings who have donated land, Jewellery
etc. to this temple.