04th February 2020.
This Sri Nattrateeswarar Temple visit was a part of a Heritage Visit to temples, Hero stones and Heritage sites in Erode and Karur Districts, scheduled on 04th February 2020. This temple is in the middle (நடுவே) of the river Kaveri on a small rocky hillock. Hence, Lord Shiva is called Nattrateeswarar. Also, this temple is midway between the starting point of the river at Kodagu and Poompuhar, where it meets the Bay of Bengal. (The river is 805 Km long and the temple is almost at the centre)
Moolavar : Sri Agastheeswarar
: Sri Nattatreeswarar
Consort : Sri Annapoorani Ambika
: Sri Nallanayaki
Some of the salient features of this temple are…
The temple is facing east on a small rocky hillock in the middle of the river Kaveri. It may be accessed through a bridge constructed in recent years (at an estimated cost of Rs. 2.25 crores). Cars can go up to the temple base (before the bridge construction, the temple was accessed through Coracles - Parisal). The temple was built in three levels, depending on the contour of the rock surface. It was said that the sanctums of various deities are constructed in such a way that the circumambulation path will be in the form of “OM” (ஓம்), the pranava mantra. A mandapa was built under the temple complex, which was used as steps during the recent renovation. Vinayagar and Nagars are under a pepaul tree at the entrance of the steps. Sri Sthala Vinayagar is at the first level. The Kaviri kanda Vinayagar (red in colour) is under the sthala viruksham, Aathee tree. The sthala viruksham is on this rocky hill and believed to be 3000 years old.
Ambal Annapoorani is in the middle level with sanctum and a mukha mandapam. Lord Shiva’s dance postures are painted (using natural dyes) on the ceiling of the front mandapam. Nandhi and balipedam are in the mukha mandapam. Natarajar’s stucco image is in the mandapam wall as bas relief.
On the top level is the sanctum sanctorum of Sri Nattrateeswarar, Nattratu Malai Murugan, Sandikeswarar, Kala Bhairavar, Navagrahas, Shaniswarar, Chandran, Agasthiyar, Suryan and Nalvar. Lord Shiva is in a separate temple with sanctum sanctorum, antarala, arthamandapam. In Koshtam, Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Arthanareeswarar ?, Brahma and Durgai. In the mandapam sannadhi for Bhoomi Neela samedha Sri Aathi Periya Perumal. Nattratu Malai Murugan is not with his consorts, and the legs are in walking posture with a parrot in his hand. It was told that Muruga went forward to welcome the Sage Agasthiyar to this temple with Arunagirinathar as a Parrot.
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTION
The original temple was built during the 10th-century Sundara Chozha period. An inscription stone, belongs to Rajendra Chozha’s 5th year rule (starts with ஸ்வதிஸ்ரீ கோப்பரகேசரி பன்மராகிய ஸ்ரீ இராஜெந்திர சோழதேவர்க்கு…. ), in the mandapa is the only proof. The temple was reconstructed and bears a new temple look, with granite tiles all over.
Rajendra Chozha's inscription
LEGEND
As per the legend, the sage Agasthiyar was asked to go to the south to balance the earth during the celestial wedding of Lord Shiva and Parvati, since all the Devas and rishis gathered for the wedding. There were 5 tasks assigned to Agasthiyar on the way to the South, and also Lord Shiva promised him that he would give Kalyana Kola dharshan when ever the sage wanted. The 5 tasks are to 1. change the course of the Kaveri river from North to South. ( In another version, Vinayagar in the form of a crow toppled the Kamandalam in which 7 holy rivers were brought by Agasthiyar. These 7 rivers flowed as Kaveri. 2. To put an end to the torture of humans and sages by Asuras Vallavan and Vatabi. 3. To support Rama for the victory over Ravana. 4. To create a Tamil Sangam for literature at Madurai (?) and 5. To bring out and enhance the ancient secrets of medicines.
In the process of killing the Asuras Vatapi - Vatabi in the form of food offered by Vallavan, was digested by Agasthiyar and Killed Vallavan. The sage Agasthiyar has got the Bramhahathi dosha for killing these asuras. To get rid of the dosha, Agasthiyar made a Shiva Linga from the river sand and prayed for 12 days continuously at this place. At the end of the 12th day, on Chithirai 1st, he tried to dissolve the Shiva Linga but couldn’t do so. Instead, he heard the Voice of Lord Shiva, the he wants to stay here and bless the Devotees. Then Agasthiyar Continued to wards south to complete his mission. Since the sage installed the Shiva Linga in the middle of the river Kaveri and offered only the porridge made out of Bajra and curd.
FESTIVALS AND CELEBRATIONS
On Chithirai 1st, lakhs of devotees gathered at this temple for the Dharshan of Lord Shiva. (Agasthiyar completed his 12-day prayer on this day). As a Prasad, porridge made out of bajra, a type of millet, mixed with Curd ( கம்பங்கூழ் ) will be offered. The bajra will be brought from Thivannamalai and Curd will be from Erode. This includes the offering from the Devotees also.
Adi Pooram is also celebrated in a grand manner with 108 conch abhishekam. People believe that all the doshas will be removed if one prays to Lord Shiva of this temple.
TEMPLE TIMINGS:
The temple will be kept open between 06.30 hrs and 12.30 hrs and 15.30 hrs to 18.00 hrs.
CONTACT DETAILS:
Gurukkal Guganathan and Senthil may be contacted on their mobile numbers 9894132096 and 9842732004 for further details.
Secretary Mr Gandhi 98420 22017
HOW TO REACH:
From Erode to Kodumudi, take the left at Chavadipalayam Pudur junction, and you can reach the bridge over the Kaveri to the temple.
The temple is 15 km from Erode, 112 km from Coimbatore, and 420 km from Chennai.
The nearest railway station is Erode.
LOCATION: CLICK HERE
Sthala viruksham with Sri Aathee mara Vinayagar - Kaviri Kanda Vinayagar
Bottom mandapam
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---
There is AAtthee maram inside the temple complex. It is not the Atti maram (Audumbara vriksham, abode of Lord Dattatreya). Can anybody tell what this tree is? it's scientific name?
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