Kokileswarar temple, TiruKozhambam
Location
TiruKozhambam
Deity
Kokileswarar
Female Deity
Sowndara Nayaki
Pathikam
Tirunavukarasar - 1, Sambandar - 1
Gallery - TiruKozhambam Temple
How to Reach
This Shiva temple is situated about 20 km from Kumbakonam. Travel from Kumbakonam along the Karaikkal Road to S. Puthur village. From there, take the branch road heading north, which leads directly to Tirukozhambam, where the temple is located.
Temple Address
Thirukozhambiyam
S. Pudur Post
Thiruvidaimarudur Taluk
Thanjavur District
PIN – 612205
Temple Hours
Morning : 7:00 - 12:00
Nearby Paadal Petra Shiva Temples
Important Notice
Due to a few theft incidents in the past, the temple is usually closed before 6:00 PM. Visitors are therefore advised to contact the temple in advance and, if possible, plan their visit during the morning hours to ensure a smooth darshan.
Historical Significance
Contribution of Sembian Madevi
This temple is one of the temples that received the generous patronage of the Chola queen Sembiyan Mahadevi, the illustrious grandmother of Rajaraja Chola I. Renowned for her deep devotion to God Shiva and her extensive temple renovations, she played a significant role in the development and preservation of this temple during the Chola period.
Sthala Purana - The Divine Legends
The Curse and Goddess Parvathi
At one time, owing to a divine curse, Goddess Parvati assumed the form of a cow and descended to the earthly realm, worshipping God Shiva at several places. Thirukozhambam is one such holy place. While offering her worship here in the form of a cow, her hoof accidentally slipped and struck the ground, revealing the hidden Shiva Linga beneath. Since the Linga manifested through the hoof (kulambu) of the divine cow, the presiding deity came to be known as Kokileshwarar.
The Game of Dice
Once, while God Shiva and Maha Vishnu were engaged in a game of Sokkaṭṭān (a traditional dice game), Goddess Parvati was seated as the impartial referee. During the game, a dispute arose regarding the outcome of a throw, and Shiva asked Parvati to deliver her judgment. She ruled in favor of Maha Vishnu. Displeased with her verdict, Shiva cursed Parvati to be born on earth in the form of a cow. Assuming this form, the Goddess wandered across many sacred places, worshipping Shiva to seek redemption. Tiru-Kozhambam is one of the holy shrines where Goddess Parvati, in the form of a cow, worshipped God Shiva and was blessed with His divine grace.
Brahma's Worship
Once, a dispute arose between Maha Vishnu and Brahma over who was supreme. To settle their argument, God Shiva manifested as an infinite pillar of light (Jyoti) and challenged them to find either His beginning or His end. Maha Vishnu took the form of a boar and searched for the base of the radiant column, while Brahma assumed the form of a swan and flew upward in search of its summit. Despite their efforts, neither could find the limits of the boundless Jyoti. However, Brahma, with the support of the Thāzhampoo (screw pine flower), falsely claimed that he had reached the crown of the divine light. Angered by this untruth, Shiva cursed Brahma for his false testimony and punished the Thāzhampoo for bearing false witness. Later, Brahma came here seeking redemption for the sin he had incurred by speaking falsely before Shiva. He created a sacred tank, now known as Brahma Theertham, bathed in its holy waters, and worshipped Shiva with sincere repentance. Pleased with his devotion, Shiva forgave Brahma and blessed him. Brahma Theertham is situated just outside the temple and continues to be revered by devotees.
Story of the Vidyadhara
A Vidyadhara named Chandhan was once cursed by Indra and transformed into a cuckoo (Kokila). Seeking relief from the curse, he came to this sacred shrine and worshipped God Shiva with unwavering devotion for many years. Pleased with his sincere penance, Shiva lifted the curse and restored him to his original celestial form. Since the deity was worshipped here by the devotee in the form of a Kokila (cuckoo), the presiding deity came to be known as Kokileshwarar.
Indra's Worship
Indra also came to Tiru-Kozhambam to seek relief from a curse pronounced upon him by Sage Gautama. After worshipping the residing deity of this place with devotion and repentance, he was freed from the effects of the curse.
Temple Structure
Main Entrance
This temple has a single main entrance (mukha vāyil). Directly opposite the entrance is the sacred Brahma Theertham, which is closely associated with the temple's Sthala Puranam. Above the entrance gateway is a beautiful stucco representation of God Shiva and Goddess Parvati seated together, flanked by Vinayaka on one side and Muruga with Valli and Deivanai on the other, welcoming devotees into the temple.
Gopuram and Mandapam
Upon entering through the main gateway, devotees pass along a long corridor that leads to the three-tiered Rajagopuram. In front of the gopuram are the Bali Peetam and the Nandi Mandapam, aligned with the sanctum. Beyond the gopuram lies the Maha Mandapam, which houses the Nataraja Sabha. The inner prakaram contains separate sannidhis dedicated to Vinayaka, Appar (Tirunavukkarasar), Muruga, Gajalakshmi, and Bhairava, allowing devotees to offer worship to these deities as they circumambulate the temple.
Goshta Murthas
In the Goshta (niches) of the sanctum, along with the deities usually found—Dakshinamurthy, Brahma, Durga, and Vinayaka—the forms of Nataraja, Sattai Nathar, and Bhikshatana are also seen.
Special Features of the Temple
The presiding deity of this temple is a Swayambhu Linga (self-manifested) form. The bāṇam (shaft) of the Shiva Linga here is notably large. As a mark commemorating Goddess Parvathi's worship in the form of a cow, the imprint of a cow's hoof can be seen on the Āvudaiyār (base of the Linga). This unique feature serves as a testament to the divine legend associated with this sacred shrine, where Goddess Parvathi herself revealed the presence of God Shiva.
Gallery
