Idamkondeeswarar Temple, Veppathur, Thanjavur
Idamkondeeswarar Temple is a
Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Veppathur Village near
Thiruvidaimarudur in Thanjavur District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is
called as Idamkondeeswarar / Adhi Mahalingeswarar and Mother is called as Bruhat
Sundara Gujambigai. The place is called as Kalyanapuram in ancient times. This
temple is situated in the northern banks of river Cauvery. The Temple is considered
as Thevara Vaippu Sthalam as Devaram hymns by Tirunavukkarasar had a mention
about this Temple.
Legends
As per the Sthala Puranam,
Sage Kashyapa came this side. After observing the greenery and the peaceful
environment, he decided to perform Tapas here. When he was meditating, a
heavenly voice asked the purpose of his penance. Kashyapa replied
that he wanted to have the Darshan of Shiva and Parvathi in their wedding
attire. The voice assured that it would be fulfilled in due course. When
the sage asked when that would happen, he was informed that first would appear
the Lingam followed by the Lord and the Mother in the wedding attire.
On a full moon day in the
Tamil month of Thai, as predicted, the Lingam appeared and later the couple in
their wedding dress. The Lingam was originally, the lingam at
Thiruvidaimarudur and in order to fulfill the promise to Kashyapa Rishi, the
Lord shifted here, and a new Lingam came up in
Thiruvidaimarudur. Hence the Lingam in this place is called as Adi
Mahalingeswarar. As they appeared in their wedding attire, the place came to be
called Kalyanapuram.
There is also an interesting
reason for naming this Lord as Idamkondeeswarar. When he left
Thiruvidaimarudur to appear before Kashyapa Rishi in this place, He gave place
for another Mahalingeswarar at the former place. As he gave place (Idam in Tamil),
He is called Idam Kondeeswarar. If we go strictly go by Tamil grammar and
usage, it should be Idam Kodutheeswarar.
The Temple
The Temple is facing east with
three tiered Rajagopuram. Presiding Deity is called as Idamkondeeswarar / Adhi
Mahalingeswarar. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Shiva Lingam and is
facing east. Mother is called as Bruhat Sundara Gujambigai. She is housed in a separate
shrine and is facing south. Artha Mandapam and Maha Mandapam are near the
sanctum sanctorum. Balipeedam is behind
Nandikeswarar at the entrance.
There are shrines for
Vinayaka, Muruga with his consorts Valli and Devasena, Krishna, Dakshinamurthy,
Chandikeswarar, Durga Parameswari, Mahalakshmi and Sage Kashyapa in the prakaram. There are also shrines for Sani Bhagawan,
Sun, Moon, four Saivite Saints praised as Naalvar collectively, Lord Bhairava
and Navagrahas the nine planets.
Temple Opening Time
The temple remains open from 06.00
a.m. to 10.00 a.m. and from 05.00 a.m. to 08.00 p.m.
Festivals
Purattasi Navaratri in
September-October; Thiru Karthikai in November-December; Aippasi Annabishekam
in October-November; Margazhi Thiruvadhirai in December-January; Maha
Shivrathri in February-March; monthly Pradoshams; Mondays of Karthikai month
covering November-December are the festival days observed in the temple.
Prayers
People pray to Lord and Mother
to realize their wishes in mind. Devotees perform abishek to Lord and Mother
and offer vastras.
Contact
Idamkondeeswarar Temple,
Veppathur, Thiruvidaimarudur,
Thanjavur District – 612 102
Phone: +91 97878
74248 / 94435 61731
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about
2 Kms from Veppathur, 2 Kms from Thiruvidaimarudur Bus Stop, 2 Kms from Thiruvidaimarudur,
3 Kms from Thiruvidaimarudur Railway Station, 4 Kms from Thirumangalakudi, 4
Kms from Thirubhuvanam, 5 Kms from Suriyanar Kovil, 10 Kms from Kumbakonam, 11
Kms from Kumbakonam Bus Stand, 12 Kms from Kumbakonam Railway Station, 49 Kms
from Thanjavur and 98 Kms from Trichy Airport. The Temple is situated on
Kumbakonam to Mayiladuthurai Route. The Temple is well connected to
Thiruvidaimarudur.
Location