This is the 228th Thevaram Paadal Petra Shiva sthalam and 111th sthalam on the south side of river Kaveri in Chozha Nadu. This place was called as Kottur during Thevaram times and same was divided in to Mela kottur and Keezh kottur during Kauruvurthevar period and he has sung of Keezh kottur temple ( Maniambalam ). But Melakottur is the Paadal Petra sthalam.
In periyapuranam Sekkizhar records that Thirugnanasambandar came to this temple after worshiping Lord Shiva of Thirukollikadu.
நம்பர்மகிழ் திருஆரூர் வணங்கிப் போந்து நலம்கொள் திருக்காறாயில் நண்ணி ஏத்திப்பைம்புனல்மென் பணைத்தேவூர் அணைந்து போற்றிப் பரமர் திருநெல்லிக்காப் பணிந்து பாடிஉம்பர்பிரான் கைச்சினமும் பரவித் தெங்கூர் ஓங்கு புகழ்த் திருக்கொள்ளிக் காடும் போற்றிச்செம்பொன்மதில் கோட்டூரும் வணங்கி ஏத்தித் திருமலி வெண்துறை தொழுவான் சென்று சேர்ந்தார்
Thirugnanasambandar, Karuvur Thevar and Vallalar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.
நீல மார்தரு கண்டனே நெற்றியோர் கண்னனே ஒற்றைவிடைச்சூல மார்தரு கையனே துன்றுபைம் பொழில்கள் சூழ்ந்து அழகாயகோல மாமலர் மணங்கமழ் கோட்டூர்நற் கொழுந்தே யென்று எழுவார்கள்சால நீள்தலம் அதனிடைப் பகழ்மிகத் தாங்குவார் பாங்காவே........ திருஞானசம்பந்தர்.நிலவு செல்வத்தராகி நீள் நிலத்திடைநீடு புகழ் வாழ்வார் கோட்டூர் நற்கொழுந்தே யென யெழுவார்களே.....கருவூர்த்தேவர்தலரொளி மணிப்பூம் பதஞ் சிலம் பலம்பச்’ சடைவிரித் தலையெறி கங்கைத்தெளிரொளி மணிநீர்த் திவலை முத்தரும்பித் திருமுக மலர்ந்து சொட்டடக் கிளரொளி மணி வண்டறை பொழிற் பழனங் கெழுவு கம்பலை செய்கீழ்க் கோட்டூர்வளரொளி மணியம் பலத்துள் நின்றாடும் மைந்தனென் மனங் கலந்தானே.... திருவிசைப்பா – கருவூர்த்தேவர் -“கொண்டலெனமன்கோட்டூர் சோலை வளர் கோட்டூர் தண்பழனத்தென்கோட்டூர் தேவ சிகாமணியே”........ திரு அருட்பாMoolavar : Sri Kozhundeeswarar, Sri SameevaneswararConsort : Sri Mathupaashini, Sri Thenar Mozhiyal, Sri Thenambal.
Some of the salient features of this temple are…..The temple is facing west with an entrance arch. The inner gopura is of 3 tiers with a mandapam in front of sanctum sanctorum. In between the two, Dwajasthambam, balipeedam and Rishabam. Nandhavanam is on the left. A mandapam was built around the sanctum. In Koshtam, Narthana Ganapathy, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma and Durgai.
In Prakaram Chandran, Maha Vishnu with his Consorts, Nalvar, Subramaniar, Akora Veerabhadra, Arambai in penance ( Standing on one leg ), Uma Maheswarar, Arthanareeswarar, Meenakshi Sundareswarar, Vallabha Ganapati, Gajalakshmi, Suriyan and Chandikeswarar.
Pradosha moorthy is also the moola murthy is a special in this temple. In Sabha Natarajar, Sivakami, Manickavasagar ( These images are found in a village Mayilaerupuram during ploughing.). Another set of Natarajar, Sivakami and Manickavasagar are kept out side of the Sabha.
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
In Sabha Natarajar, Sivakami, Manickavasagar ( These images are found in a village “Mayilerupuram” during ploughing.).
The Inscriptions recorded from this temple belongs to Chozha Kings Rajarajan-I, Kulothunga Chozha-I, Rajathirajan-II, Kulothunga Chozha-III, Rajaraja Chozha-III, a Thanjavur Maratha kings and Thanjavur Nayaks Raghunatha Nayaks.
As per the inscriptions, Lord Shiva was called as Kozhundthandar, Moolasthanam Udayar, Kozhundeeswarara Swamy and the Place was called as Arumozhitheva valanattu Nenmalinattu Kottur ( Rajaraja Chozha ), Rajendra Chozha valanattur Nenmalinattu Kottur ( Kulothunga Chozha-I ).
Kulothunga Chozha-II’s 2nd reign year inscription records the endowment of burning a perpetual lamp for which Kulothunga Chozhavalanattu Kundrathur Sekkizhan Pallavaraiyan gifted money to this temple.
Kulothunga Chozha-I’s 47th reign Year inscription records the tank bund built by Mummudi Chozha Singalanthaka Mutharayan. Repair work was carried out by Periyan Kulothunga Chozha Kanakarajan, the head man of Kottyur.
Koparakesari’s 10th reign year fragment inscription records the gift of tax free land to this temple, situated at Palan Kumaramangalam.
Rajaraja-III, 9th reign year inscription records the establishment of “Thirugnanam Petra Pillayar” by Nagamangalamadayan Ambala koil kondavan. The same person also gifted land for the naivedyam during the King’s 18th reign year. In that inscription Pillayar was mentioned as “Thirugnanam Petra Aludaya Pillayar”
Kulothunga Chozha-III’s 3rd reign year inscription records the existence of a “Thirumaligai Pichar” mutt in Rajendra Chozha valanattu, Vendalai Velir Kootrathu Thiruthuraipoondi.
Thanjavur Nayaks King Raghunatha nayak also gifted 10 veli Land to this temple.
LEGENDSAs per purana, it is believed that Arambai, Indra and Indra’s vahana white elephant worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple. Hence Lord Shiva is called as Iravateswarar and the place was called as Iravatechram. Thirugnanasambandar praised Lord Shiva as “Kotturnarkozhunthe”.
In a legend, a demon Viruthurasuran terrorized the Devas after getting boons. Devas and Indra sought help from Agathiyar. Agathiyar told that he can be killed only by the Vajrayudham made of the Thatheesi Munivar’s back bone ( again the legend of Thiruparkadal churning comes here. In that all devas gave their weapons to Thatheesi muni which he kept in his mouth and went on penance. The weapon went to his back bone ). Indra Killed the Viruthurasuran with the vajrayudham made of Thatheesi Munivar. To get rid of Brahmahathi dosha Indra came to this temple and worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple.
‘‘ததீசி தண்டு வடமே வலுவாம்தேவராயுதமுண்டு உரமேறிற்று”தேவராயுதமுண்டு உரமேறிற்று”
It is believed that Ramba the Indra Loka dancer was cursed. As per the advice of Athiri Maharishi, Ramba came to this temple and did a penance. She did the penance standing on the left leg, folding the right leg, keeping left hand on the feet and right hand on the head.
‘‘கொழுந்தீசனை அக்னி புகுந்தேயெழிலாடலரசியிடப் பாதந்தரை யிருத்தி யிடக் கரமதனைபாத நடு காட்டி சிரத்தே வலக்கரமிருத்தி தபசு செய”...... திருமூலர்It is believed that the temple has nine theerthas, 1. Mulliyaru, 2. Sivaganga ( on the back side of the temple), 3. Brahma Theertham ( on the east side of Sivaganga Theertham), 4. Indra Theertham, 5. Shiva Theertham, 6. Vishwakarma Theertham ( North side – Ayyanarkulam ), 7. Ramba Theertham ( locally called as Karuppattiyan Kulam ), 8. Mandai Theertham ( in between Meela and Keezh Kottur ) and 9. Amudha koobam ( in front of the temple ).
Lord Shiva is also called as “Akraparameswarar”. It is believed that the eye related problems will be solved by worshiping Vanni tree of this temple’s sthala Vruksham on Saturdays. It is also believed that, to excel in Music field, Ambal Madhupashisini may be worshiped.
POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS“Thiruvilakku Pooja” will be conducted on last Friday of Thai month every year and the Lamps are kept in the temple itself. Sangu Abhishekam will be performed on Maha Shivaratri and Karthigai Somavaram ( Mondays ) in the month Karthigai. Thiruvathirai in the month Margazhi, Aani Thirumanjanam in the month Aani, Panguni Uthiram in the month Panguni and 3 Days Brahmotsavam in the month Vaikasi.
TEMPLE TIMINGSThe temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs to 11.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 19.30 Hrs.
CONTACT DETAILS Mobile and Land line numbers +91 97861 51763 and +91 4367 279 781, may be contacted for further details.
HOW TO REACHThis place is on the main road from Mannargudi to Thiruthuraipoondi.The temple is 14 KM from Thiruthuraipoondi, 16 KM from Mannargudi, 26 Km from Thiruvarur, 54 KM from Thanjavur and 324 KM from Chennai.Nearest Railway station is Thiruthuraipoondi and Junction is Mannargudi.
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE
---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---
தெளிரொளி மணிநீர்த் திவலை முத்தரும்பித் திருமுக மலர்ந்து சொட்டடக்
.... திருவிசைப்பா – கருவூர்த்தேவர்
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
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