Kodeeswarar Temple, Kottaiyur,
Kumbakonam – The Temple
Kodeeswarar Temple is an east
facing temple with five tiered Rajagopuram. The Rajagopuram is about 60 feet
high. The Temple has two corridors and is surrounded by granite walls. The Temple has a rectangular plan covering an area of 1 acre (0.40 ha). The
granite images of Nandi (the bull and vehicle of
Shiva), a tall flag staff and a Balipeedam, the place of offering, axial
to the sanctum. There is a separate shrine for Vinayagar and Murugan on both
sides of the entrance to the sanctum.
Presiding Deity is called as Kodeeswarar
and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. Lord
Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested). The main
Shivalingam in this temple looks as it is formed out of the fruits of a caster
plant. In other words, its texture resembles a jack fruit. Another important
feature of this lingam is that water droplets can be seen coming out of its
top. This symbolizes the legend that the Ganges resides in Lord Shiva’s head.
Narthana Vinayakar,
Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbhavar, Brahma and Durga are the Koshta idols located
around the sanctum walls. Chandikeswarar Shrine can be seen in his usual
location. Mother is called as Pandhadu Nayaki / Kanthuga Greedambal. She is
housed in a separate south facing shrine. She is depicted in a playful posture.
Mother Goddess Pandhadu Nayaki (Goddess playing with a ball) is so named as she
is tossing a ball under her feet, indicating that she would toss the sufferings
of her devotees as that of a ball.
Mother shrine has a separate
corridor. This corridor has many beautiful carvings engraved on its walls.
Also, there are many beautiful sculptures in various places in this temple. A
beautiful relief depicting the story of Chola king Manu Neethi, who kept his
son under his chariot’s wheels and ran over his body to give justice to a cow,
can be seen in the second entrance of this temple.
Lord Murugan is praised as Kodi
Subramaniyar and can be seen with his consorts Valli & Deivanai in the
inner corridor. Lord Murugan (in the name of Dhandayudhapani) can be seen at
the entrance of the temple. The idol of Vinayakar here contains many small
images of Vinayakas on it. This Vinayakar is believed to be self-manifested
(Swayambhu) and is praised as Kodi Vinayakar. It is believed that at the time
of renovation, the idol could not be removed. Even after digging for 20 feet,
its base could not be found.
The Utsava Vinayakar with his
consorts resembles that at Tiruvalanchuzhi which is also located close by. Goddess
Durgai is depicted with eight hands (Ashtapuja Durgai) and her right leg a step
forward. There is a separate shrine for Heranda Maharishi in the front hall
where he is seen in a meditative posture.
The idols in the Navagraham here
are big in size, very beautiful and unique. All the lords are depicted along
with their respective mounts. Suryan and Chandran are seen on chariots pulled
by horses. There are shrines and idols of Gajalakshmi, Nataraja, Somaskanda,
Mahalakshmi, Bhairavar, Jurakeswarar, Saneeswarar, Suryan Chandran, Lingams,
Maha Sastha, Naalvar and Pancha Lingam can be seen in the corridors.
Sthala Vriksham is Castor Oil
Plant (Aamanakku). Theertham associated with this Temple are River Cauvery and Kodi
Theertham (Amudha Well). This temple’s holy water (Kodi Theertham / Amudha Well)
is believed to have been created by Sage Heranda for the purpose of the Lord’s Abhishekam.
This well never dries up. Devotees believe that sprinkling water from this well
on their body will purify their mind and cure many diseases.
