The village of Kotaiyur derives its name from the appearance of a self-manifested Lingam, beneath a castor bean plant. This occurrence led to the presiding deity being venerated as Koteeswarar, and the temple erected in his honor also took on this appellation. The etymology of Koteeswarar can be traced back to the Chola king and the sage Eranda, to whom the Deity appeared as 'Koti' Lingam, a manifestation of innumerable Lingams. The castor bean plant, known as Erandam, holds great significance in this context, as it was under this plant that the sage Eranda, also known as Erandamunivar, engaged in rigorous penance. Consequently, the temple is also referred to as Vilvaranyam and Erandapuram, further emphasizing the central role of the castor bean plant in the temple's history. The local villagers are well-acquainted with the Koteeswarar Temple and can easily guide visitors to its location. The temple's spiritual importance is further underscored by the fact that the revered sage Markandeya worshipped the deity at this very site. Moreover, the presiding deity appeared to the sage Padirayogi in various forms, as 'Koti' Vinayaka, 'Koti' Ambal, 'Koti' Muruga, and an innumerable form of Himself as 'Koti' Linga, ultimately leading to the deity being revered as Koteeswarar.
Temple Layout - The most striking feature of Koteeswarar Temple, located in Kottaiyur, is its impressive five-tiered Rajagopuram, or gateway tower, which faces east and welcomes devotees into the sacred space. Within the temple courtyard, one finds shrines dedicated to Vinayaka, Muruga, and Mahalakshmi. The main deity, Koteeswarar, is enshrined in the form of a self-manifested or Swayambhu Linga, with the entire 'banam' or top portion resembling a castor bean. According to local beliefs, the temple possesses a unique spiritual power, whereby both good deeds and sins committed within its precincts are multiplied by crores (tens of millions) of times. This concept is reflected in the Tamil proverb implying that misdeeds performed here cannot be easily absolved. Conversely, the Sthala Puranam, or temple legend, states that any meritorious acts performed at this temple yield exponentially greater benefits. Another notable feature is the Navagrahas, , where the nine celestial bodies are beautifully represented along with their respective 'vahana'. The temple's sacred waters, or theertham, include the river Kaveri and the Koti Theertham, also known as 'Amudhakkinaru', located within the first prakaram or enclosure. The temple's sthala vriksham, or sacred tree, is a castor bean plant, further emphasizing the significance of this symbol in the temple's mythology and iconography.
Arunagirinathar, the renowned Tamil poet, has composed hymns in praise of Lord Muruga enshrined at this sacred temple in his famous work, Tiruppugazh. Lord Muruga, in the inner prakaram , is known as 'Koti' Subramanayar. He is depicted with one divine countenance and four arms, facing the eastern direction, accompanied by his two consorts. There is another sannidhi at the entrance of the temple dedicated to d Muruga in his form as Dhandayudhapani, the wielder of the sacred staff. The shrine of Goddess Pandhadu Nayaki, the divine consort, faces the southern direction. Interestingly, the statue of the goddess is sculpted with one leg in a posture resembling the act of kicking a ball. This unique depiction symbolizes the goddess's ability to eliminate the sins and misdeeds of devotees with her powerful foot, while simultaneously bestowing blessings upon them. Consequently, individuals passionate about sports often seek the goddess's grace to excel in their respective fields. The temple also houses the 'Amudha kinaru', a sacred well believed to grant both external and internal purification to those who sprinkle its water on their heads. It is held that this divine Theertham bestows devotees with education, knowledge, and discipline, making it a sought-after source of spiritual enlightenment and personal growth.
The Cauvery River meanders gracefully and swirls through the landscape of Thiruvalanchuzhi. According to legend, as the river wound its way through the region, the mighty serpent Adisesha emerged from its depths, creating a massive pit in the riverbed. The swirling waters of the Cauvery flowed into this newly formed chasm and disappeared into the mysterious underworld below. When the Chola king witnessed this astonishing sight, he was overcome with worry and shock. Suddenly, an incorporeal voice spoke to him, declaring that the pit would only close if either the king himself or a great sage descended into the underworld and made the ultimate sacrifice. Upon hearing this divine pronouncement, the king hastened to the sage Eranda, who was deep in penance amidst a dense grove of acacia trees in the nearby town of Kottaiyur. With a heavy heart, the king relayed the incorporeal message to the sage. Without hesitation, Eranda selflessly offered to lay down his life for the sake of the kingdom. He descended into the dark abyss of the pit, sacrificing himself to the mysterious forces below. As soon as he vanished into the depths, the waters of the Cauvery surged forth once more, sealing the pit and restoring the river's natural flow. Today, Eranda Muni, also known as Aatreya Maharishi, is honored with a separate shrine within the sacred Koteeswarar temple complex. This place holds special significance for those born under the Aatreya gotram, who come to pay their respects and seek blessings from the sage who gave his life for the welfare of the land. The revered saint Thirunavukkarasar composed a pathikam in honor of this temple, which is included in the 6th Thirumurai and is shared by both the Thirukkottaiyur and Thiruvalanchuzhi Shiva temples.
5 tiered Tower
Eranda Munivar (Athreya Maharishi)
Navagraha