Chamundeeswarar Temple, Sozhiyavilagam, Thanjavur
Chamundeeswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to
Lord Shiva located at Sozhiyavilagam Village in Thiruvidaimaruthur Taluk in
Thanjavur District of Tamilnadu. The place was a settlement area of Sozhiya
Vellala community and hence the place was called as Sozhiyavilagam. Presiding
Deity is called as Chamundeeswarar and Mother is called as Bhrihannayaki. It is
believed that this is one of the Mada temple built by Kochengata Chola.
Legends
Mada
Kovil:
Kochengat Chola was a Chola king and one
of the 63 Nayanmars (Saivite saints) of Saivism. He is
believed to have attained spiritual rebirth of a spider that fought with an
elephant in its previous birth over the worship of the Hindu god Shiva. He
had red eyes during birth as he remained in his mother’s womb a little longer.
His mother, looking into the babies red eyes said Kochengkannano (in Tamil Ko=king,
Cheng=red, Kan=eyes), which literally means king with red eyes and hence he was
named Kochengat Cholan. After becoming a king, he followed Saivism and
built 70 Maadakovils, temples with elevated structure where elephants
cannot reach the sanctum, in the Chola empire. It is believed that this is one
of the temple built by him.
Lord
Shiva gave his powers to Goddess Chamundi here:
When Goddess Chamundi went to destroy demons Chandan and
Mundan, Lord Shiva of this Temple gave his powers to Chamundi.
The
Temple
This is a small east facing temple. There is no proper
way to reach eastern entrance however the main entrance can be reached via
narrow cement road. Presiding Deity is called as Chamundeeswarar. A small
Nandhi housed in the Mandapam is facing the sanctum. Arthanareeswarar,
Gangalamurthy, Mahavishnu, Brahma, Durga, Bikshadana and Rishabaroodar are the
niche idols located around the sanctum walls.
Mother is called as Bhrihannayaki. She is found in a
separate shrine facing south direction. There is a huge temple tank in front of
the temple. There is shrine for Irattai Vinayaga (Twin Vinayaga) in the temple
premises. Devotees pray here to get back the stolen items. There are also
shrines for Murugan and Chandikeswarar in the temple premises.
Poojas
& Festivals
The Temple conducts one Kaala Pooja as Shivagama Agamam.
All Shiva related festivals and Shivarathri are the festivals celebrated here
with much fanfare.
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 5 Kms from Pandanallur,
10 Kms from Manalmedu, 14 Kms from Kuttalam, 14 Kms from Kuttalam Railway
Station, 23 Kms from Gangai Konda Cholapuram, 23 Kms from Vaitheeswaran Kovil,
23 Kms from Mayiladuthurai, 33 Kms from Kumbakonam, 70 Kms from Thanjavur and
120 Kms from Trichy Airport. The Temple is situated on Manalmedu to Pandanallur
Route. Nearest Railway Station is located at Kuttalam and Nearest Airport is
located at Trichy.
Location
