Temple Layout - The Tirukoteeswar Shiva Temple, facing the rising sun in the east, reveals itself to devotees through its magnificent five-tiered Rajagopuram gateway. Upon passing through this threshold, visitors are greeted by the customary array of - the balipeetam altar, Nandi, the towering Dwajasthambam flagstaff, and a small sannidhi for Vinayaka nestled beneath it. Within the front enclosure, to the right, stands the sannidhi of the female consort deity Vadivambikai, her divine form in a standing posture as she bestows her grace upon all who come to pay homage. Circumambulating the inner prakaram pathway, devotees encounter a series of smaller sannidhis housing the temple's additional deities - 'Karayerum' Vinayaka, Subramanya, several Linga idols, Gajalakshmi, JeshtaDevi, kalaBhairava, Surya, Chandra, Sani, and even one dedicated to the great sage Durwasa. The 'Goshta murthas', or subsidiary deities, are also present, including Narthana Vinayaka, the dancing Nataraja form of Shiva, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbhava, Brahma and the powerful Goddess Durga. Having completed the traditional clockwise journey around the prakaram, worshippers proceed into the temple's inner sanctum, first paying their respects to the guardian deities Dwara Ganapathy and Balasubramaniya who flank the sanctum entrance. In a unique feature distinctive to this temple, Yamadharma and Chitragupta are found on either side of the central pathway leading to the sanctum. Finally, the devotee comes face-to-face with the presiding deity Tirukoteeswar, manifested as a magnificent swayambhu linga, with tall 'bana' rising from a perfectly square 'avudayar'.
The western side of the prakaram in this temple complex features a captivating array of deities and structures. Nagalingam, Kasi viswanathar, Visalakshi, and Manon-mani Ambal are the first encountered along the pathway. Proceeding further, one comes upon the striking form of Muruga in his sannidhi. This representation of the god portrays him with six faces and twelve hands, each grasping a different weapon, symbolizing his multifaceted nature and powers. Muruga is accompanied by his consorts Valli and Deivanai, and the trio is majestically seated atop a colossal peacock, the mount associated with Muruga. The pathway then leads to four 'Vedha' Lingas, named after the four Vedas: Rik, Yajur, Sama, and Atharvana. Next, the graceful idol of Gajalakshmi comes into view, depicted in a seated posture. At the western side's terminus, one encounters the intriguing sculpture of Sani, accompanied by his consort Jeshtadevi and their children, Maandhi and Maandha. Maandhi is portrayed with the face of a bull (rishaba), while Maandha holds a delicate lotus in her hands. Remarkably, the entire family of Sani has been skillfully carved from a single stone, showcasing the artisans' exceptional craftsmanship and attention to detail. As the pathway transitions to the northern side of the prakaram, visitors are greeted by the sacred 'sthala vruksham', a bamboo tree. In close proximity, one finds the sannidhis of 'Ashta Bhuja' Durga and Chandikeshwarar, along with a 'pushkarani', a sacred well believed to possess purifying properties. Finally, a small, dedicated sannidhi housing the deity Brahma concludes this section of the prakaram.
The Tirukoteeswar temple is a magnificent testament to the artistry and devotion of its creators, with an abundance of intricate and spellbinding sculptures adorning its pathways and walls. The sheer variety and detail of these sculptures is astounding, depicting a wide range of mythology and iconography. Visitors are treated to vivid portrayals of Lord Shiva's 64 playful acts known as 'tiruvilayadal', as well as other divine figures such as the celestial cow Kamadhenu and the wish-granting tree Kalpavriksha. The entrance gateway features a captivating array of sculpted women playing 22 different musical instruments, while soldiers mounted on horses and elephants stand guard. The outer pathway around the temple's inner sanctum is equally impressive, with the southern wall showcasing a dynamic sculpture of Nataraja, the cosmic dancer, flanked by Shivakami and Karaikal Ammaiyar. The latter is depicted in her ghostly form, hair flowing wildly as she revels in Nataraja's dance, accompanied by three ganas providing musical accompaniment. Other notable figures along this wall include Bhikshadanar, an eight-armed form of Shiva; the enchanting Mohini avatar of Lord Vishnu; Sage Agastya; and the revered teachers Dakshinamurthy, Athri, and Bhrigu. The temple's vimana, or tower, features further masterful sculptures, including another depiction of Bhikshadanar as Akora Thandavamurthy, holding a trident in one of his eight hands. Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva also grace the vimana, while the western wall surrounding the sanctum depicts the sages Kutsa and Vasishta on either side of Vishnu. The northern wall is equally rich in iconography, featuring sculptures of Sage Gautama, Lord Brahma, Sage Kashyapa, the eight-armed goddess Durga, and the androgynous form of Shiva known as Ardhanarishvara. Taken together, these sculptures represent a breathtaking showcase of art and mythology, offering visitors a profound visual experience that is both aesthetically stunning and spiritually evocative.
The 12th chapter of the Shiva Purana, one of the major eighteen Puranas that form an important part of Hindu literature, recounts a compelling tale that underscores the profound significance of Tirukodikka. The story revolves around Loka-Kaantha, a woman who, despite having committed the grievous sin of mariticide and leading a life of moral turpitude, happened to reside in Tirukodikka during the final stages of her life. Upon her demise, the envoys of Yama, the god of death and the ruler of Naraka Loka (the realm of punishment), arrived to escort her soul to face the consequences of her misdeeds. However, in a remarkable turn of events, the emissaries ofand asserting the supreme authority of the divine abode. Perplexed by this unprecedented interference, Yamadharmaraja, approached Lord Shiva to seek clarification. In response, Lord Shiva unequivocally declared that Yama held no jurisdiction over those who had any association with Tirukodikka. The decree further stipulated that Yama should not even cast his gaze upon those who had ever set foot here, either in their past or present lives. Moreover, even those who had merely heard the sacred sound of Tirukodikka were exempt from Yama's punitive measures. Lord Shiva's commandment extended to prohibiting Yama from approaching those who had simply trodden upon the soil of tirukodikka. As a result of her connection to Tirukodikka, Lokakanta was absolved of her transgressions and granted liberation from the cycle of birth and death. This narrative establishes Tirukodikka as a spiritual sanctuary akin to Kashi, where the inhabitants are believed to be free from the fear of Yama's judgment. The enduring impact of this belief is evident in the absence of a dedicated graveyard within the town's precincts. Instead, the long-standing tradition dictates that the deceased are transported across the Cauvery River to be cremated on the opposite bank, a practice that has persisted since time immemorial.
Rajagopuram
Navagraha
Four Primary Nayanmars
Nandi, altar and flagstaff
Chitragupth
Yama Dharma
Nataraja
Dakshinamurthy
'Karayetru' Vianayaka
Inside view
Another View