Kozhundeeswarar, Kottur, Tiruvarur

Basic information about the temple

Moolavar:	Kozhundeeswarar	Ambal / Thayar:	Madhura Varshini
Deity:	Siva	Historical name:	TIrukkoTTur
Vriksham:	Vanni	Teertham:	Amudha Koopam (9 teerthams)
Agamam:		Age (years):
Timing:	6 to 11.30 & 5 to 8.30	Parikaram:
Temple group:	Paadal Petra Sthalam (Kaveri Then Karai)	–
Sung by:	Sambandar	Temple set:
Navagraham:		Nakshatram:
City / town:	Kottur	District:	Tiruvarur
Maps from (click):	Current location	Tiruvarur (23.3 km)	Nagapattinam (43.5 km)
	Kumbakonam (52.2 km)	Thanjavur (61.8 km)

Location

Kottur is located 15km from Mannargudi and 27km from Tiruvarur.

Sthala puranam and temple information

Vritrasura was creating havoc in devalokam. Brahma advised the Devas to make a weapon using the spine of Sage Dadichi (the Devas had handed off their weapons to the sage during the churning of the ocean, and the sage had swallowed them, making his spine very strong). Indra requested the sage, who obliged by parting with his spine. This enabled Indra to create the Vajra to destroy the demon, but also left him afflicted with brahmahathi dosham. To get rid of this, he was advised by Brahma to find a Siva Lingam made out of nectar (and hence, Kozhundu), under a Vanni tree. Indra found this place with the help of Airavata (who drew a line on the ground to direct Indra here). He worshipped here, and was relieved of his curse. Airavata’s line on the ground gives the place its name (in Tamil, Kodu=line).

As penitence for earlier sins, Ramba, the celestial dancer, performed penance here standing on fire, in a difficult posture – her left leg down, right leg bent with her left hand on it, and right hand on her head. Pleased with her remorse, the Lord relieved her of her curse.

Indra’s elephant Airavata has worshipped here, and hence this place is also called Airavateswaram.

This is a west-facing temple. Siva and Parvati face each other – typically, such an arrangement is considered a guru-sthalam, with Siva taking the role of Parvati’s guru.

The temple is quite large, and is a classic medieval Chola temple. There are inscriptions from the 10^th century and later, which make references to Raja Raja Chola I, Rajadhiraja I and Kulothunga Chola III.

Other information for your visit

About 1km east of this temple is the Airavateswarar temple, which is a Tiruvisaippaa temple, sung by Karuvur Thevar. This place is regarded as where Airavata’s bell fell, when Indra came to Kottur. The Lord is said to have performed his cosmic dance here on the day of Ani pournami.