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Wednesday, August 29, 2018

Chamundeeswarar Temple, Sozhiyavilagam, Thanjavur

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