Garbharakshambika Devi Temple

[Theo Pontbriand]

Atthe end of every yuga, the destruction of all the living beings in the earth through flood takes place and this is called Pralayam. Lord Shiva arranged to put the sample of seeds of living organisms in a pot (Kumbham or Kudam) filled with amirtham (nectar) and keep it atop Kailash (as a backup in safe vault!). When the Brahma pralayam started, it killed all living creatures on the earth. The flood water level rose so high that it got the pot kept in Kailash floating for years. Eventually when the pralayam stopped, the pot settled in Kumbakonam (got its name since the Kumbham settled here). Then Shiva took the form of a Hunter and split opened the pot with his arrow. The life on earth started flourishing again.

There is a popular saying in Sanskrit noting Kumbakonam as more sacred than Varanasi (Kasi). A sin committed at some ordinary place is washed off by a visit to a holy place; a sin done in a sacred spot is washed off by going on a pilgrimage to Varanasi; if one dares to commit a sin in that sacred city too, that sin is wiped off at Kumbakonam; and any sinful act done at Kumbakonam is washed off there itself.

Located at Solaippan street, this is the Moola Brindavan of Shri Vijayeendra Theerthar, the Parama Guru (Guru of Guru) of Shri Raghavendra Theerthar. Sri Raghavendhra Theerthar spent a significant part of his early years here. Make sure you visit the sacred seating where he used to sit and learn scriptures.

Legend:

Iravatham, the white coloured elephant of Indhran, lost its white colour due to a curse of Sage Dhurvasar. It prayed Shiva of this place and got its colour back. So the name of Shiva here is Iravadheeswarar.

An asura named Thara worshipped Shiva here along with his 100 wives and so the name Tharasuram.

Architecture:

The temple is full of intricate sculptural works carved all over without leaving even an inch of empty space. It will take many hours to completely see the sculptural works. The main mantapa is called Raja Gambira as the elephant draws the chariot. A mantapa has been specially built for Lord Sarabheshwara. There are musical steps. There are many miniature carvings in the size of match stick.

Temple:

This is a typical big Chola temple with lots of beautiful and intrinsic sculptures, pillars and mandapams. Spread over 4.4 acre area with 4 Rajagopurams on four directions and 3 praharams

The Chola kings including the Great Rajaraja Chola were staunch devotees of Durga Devi. She was the protecting deity of the Cholas from the northern side of their palaces. Lord Vinayaka, Lord Muruga and Lord Bhairava were also protecting the kings from other entrances. After the end of the Chola regime, the Durga is installed in Thirupatteeswaram temple (Some say, the Kali at Udayalur village nearby is the original Devi temple of Cholas).

The region of Patteeswaram, ThiruSakthiMutram, Muzhaiyur was called Pazhayarai and was the ancient capital of Cholas before Tanjore. Raja Raja Chola I was brought up here. Even after cholas moved their capital to Tanjore, they lived here. There are 4 temples around Pazhayarai (Patteeswaram) in each directions. Vada thali (North), Then thali (South), Keezh thali (East) and Mel thali (West). The palace of Cholas in CholarMalihai (Mailhai meaning palace) village near Patteeswaram is in ruins and there is only a mud mound now. Also, the samadhi of Raja Raja Chola is said to be in Udayalur nearby in a private property without any big monument but there is also a controversy about the authenticity of it.

Keezh Pazhayarai, Thirunallur, Thiruvalanchuzhi, Patteswaram, ThiruSakthimutram and Avoor are called Panch korsha sthalams. It is considered very sacred to worship all these 5 places on a single day during Dakshinayanam.

Distance: 12 kms from Kumbakonam and 2 kms east of Patteeswaram in the Avoor road Main Deity: Swayambu linga known as Somanadhar with Somakalambikai

Theertham: Soma theertham.

Sthala Vruksham: Nelli (amla)

A Thevara Vaipu Sthalam at East of Patteeswaram.

The main deity, Sri Parasunatha Swamy, is a Swayambu lingam with eight stripes is present with Ambal Gnanambihai.

Nandhini, daughter of Kamadhenu worshipped here.

Parasuramar worshipped here to clear off the sin due to the killing of his mother.

The village also has a name Sivapadasekara mangalam obtained from the name Sivapadasekaran which is an alias of Rajarajan. It is believed the that the samadhi of the great king is also located in the village. The village was given as a gift by the king to one of his wives by name Ulagamuzhuthudayal and the village was named Ulagamuzhuthudayalur which eventually became Udayalur.

Very uniquely, the Nandi Mandapam has two nandhis side by side; one facing the Lord and the other facing the Goddess. The temple is connected with Korakka Siddhar. The temple has a big heritage and was flourishing with 7 praharams during the Cholas time!

Location: Near Patteeswaram; Kumbakonam-Patteeswaram: 6 kms; Patteeswaram-Avoor: 4 kms

Significances: One of the 276 Thevara Padal Petra Sthalams

Main deity: Swayambu linga Pasupatheeswarar with two ambals Pangajavalliand Mangalambihai

Legend:

Vayu God brought some mount pieces of Kailayam one of which is Avoor Pasupatheeswaram and the other is Nallur Panchavarneswarar (nearby).

Since divine cow Kamadhaneu worshipped Shiva here, the place is called Pasu(cow)-patheeswaram.

Brahma, Vishnu, Dasarathar, Saptha Rishis, Indhran, Sun, Vashistar and NavaGraha worshipped Shiva here.

Avoor presented the great Sanga Pulavargal (Ancient Vocalist) Avoor Kizhar, Avoor Moolangizhar and Perunthalai Sathanar to the world.

Temple:

The temple has five majestic gopurams. This temple is a Maadakkovil built at an elevation by Ko Chengat Cholan. Once it was the fort of Chola Kingdom.

Murugan here is seen with bow and arrow as a hunter.

Main deity: Lord Veda Narayanar with Sridevi and Bhudevi but is more known as Kalinga Narthana Krishnar temple after the discovery of the panchaloka idol of Kalinga Narthana Perumal from the temple tank.

Significances:

Considered a Vaishnavaite Navagraha Parihara Sthalam for Raghu Dosham and Sarpa Dosham (for Child Birth).

Oothukkadu is more known for the great musician Mahakavi Venkatasa Subbhayyar.

Legend:

It is believed that Sage Naradha witnessed the Kalinga Narthanam that Lord Krishna performed in front of the divine cows Nandini and Patti, children of Kamadhenu and prayed to Him to remain in the village in the dance posture and bless the devotees. So did Lord Krishna also.

Distance: 7 kms from Kumbakoonam en route Papanasam (Tanjore). The temple is about 100 meters away from the main road, on the road to Swamimalai.

Main Deity: Swayambu linga known as Valanchuzhi nadhar with Periyanakai amman; Valanchuzhi Vinayagar or Vellai Vinayagar

Theertham: Cauvery, Arasalaru and Jada theertham

Sthala Vruksham: Vilvam

Significances:

One of 276 Thevara Padal petra sthalams

Arunagirinadhar sang Thirupugazh hymns.

The temple is known more for the Dwajasthamba Vinayahar in a separate shrine than the main deity Valanchuzhi nadhar.

This is one of the Panchakrosha sthalams along with the nearby Thirunallur, Patteswaram, Keezha Pazhayarai and Avoor. It is considered very sacred to worship all these 5 places on a single day during Dakshinayanam

Legend:

The tiger sent by the arrogant rishis of Dharukavanam is said to have been vanquished by Shiva and the skin of the tiger is the dress for Him here.

Vasishtar, Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, Arjuna are said to have worshipped here.

Legend:

Ramar, after worshipping at Rameswaram to ward off the evil effects of killing Ravana found the Brahma Harthi dhosham was still following Him due to the killing of Karan and Dhooshan in the war. Ramar instructed Hanumar to bring one Shivalinga from Kasi. Since it got delayed, Rma and Sita themselves collected sand from nearby Kudamurutty (a branch of Cauvery) river and made 108 Shiva lingams under a vilva tree. Meanwhile, Hanuman brought the Shivalinga from Kasi also. Since Ramar got his dhosham cleared off, this place is called papa(bad karma)-vinasam(ward off).

Temple:

There are 106 Shivalingas arranged equally in three rows in a separate mandapam and it is a wonderful sight to see so many lingams in one place. The presiding deity in the sanctum is Sri Ramalingaswany since it was worshipped by Sri Ramar. Hanumantha lingam, the huge lingam brought by Hanumar from Kasi is kept in a separate annexe to the temple on the southern side.

Rama blissfully granted that all the devotees should worship the 106 lingams, the main deity Ramalingeswar, the Hanumanthalingam (the108th Lingam) and finally the Ambal Parvadavarthini in that order to make the worship complete and accomplish their prayers.

Note: This is the birth place of famous Papanasam Sivan. Also, this is the birth place of Sri Sri Ravishankar of Art of Living and his house of birth is present in the South mada street of the Perumal temple.

A 1100 years old temple was dismantled and renovated recently. As instructed to him, King Rajaraja Chola did daily annadhanam and worshipped the Lord Sri Ranganathar here to get child and attain mukthi.

Distance: 21 kms from Kumbakonam; diversion from Papanasam towards south for 6 kms.

Main Deity: Swayambu linga known as Mullai vana nadhar (Lord of the Jasmine Garden) with Karukatha nayaki or Garba Rakshambikai

Sthala Vruksham: Mullai

Theertham: Thirupparkulam, a big and beautiful temple tank just in front of the temple; Brahma, Ksheera Gundam; Sathya koopam; Vrudha Cauvery

Temple:

There are two ambal shrines; Nithya kalyani to the right of Shiva; Sugantha kunthalambigai in the outer praharam (this is the main ambal).

Natarajar in this temple is very beautiful.

The vimanam is a huge Gajaprashta vimanam.

The rays of Sun fall on the Lord during the mornings of 13, 14 and 15th of Panguni month

Location: 10 kms from Kumbakonam

Main deity: Swyambu linga as Sakshinadhar with Amman Karumbanna Sollammai

Sthala vruksham: Vanni and punnai

Theertham: Brahama theertham and Manni river; Saptha Sagara Koobam

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