275 Thevara Shivasthalam !! Thiru Kozhambam Thiru Kokileswarar Temple !!

 
 
Jai Sriman Naryana !!
 
 
 
 
 
Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 



Thiru Kozhambam is one of the 275 Thevara Shivasthalam of Lord Shiva located in Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu.  This is one of the oldest temples of Lord Shiva built by Queen Sembian Madhevi , wife of King Kandaraditya Chola.  In this temple Lord Shiva worshipped in the form of a self-manifested Linga. 

 
 

Presiding deity – Thiru Koikileswarar/Kozhambanathar with his consort G0ddess Sri Soundara Nayaki

 
 

Mangalasasanam – Thirunavukkarasar, Thiru Gnana Sambandhar

 
 

Theertham – Brahma Theertham

 
 

Worshipped by – Goddess Parvati, Lord Brahma, Lord Indra, Vidyadhara,

Vidyadharan was cursed by Lord Indra.  He turned out a bird and worshipped Lord Shiva in this temple.  Thus, the presiding deity has assumed his name Thiru Kokileswarar.

 

Sthalavruksham – Vilvam, Jasmine,

 

Festivals – Maha Shivaratri, Arudra Darisanam, Thiru Karthikai, Panguni Uthiram, Markazhi Thiruvizha, Aippasi Annabhishekam, Masi Makam,
 
 
Sannidhi– Lord Ganesha, Lord Nandikeshwara, Lord Subramanya with his consorts Goddesses Sri Valli & Deivayanai, Lord Nataraja & Sivakami, Goddess Gajalakshmi, Lord Bhairava, Goshtamurtham – Lord Brahma, Lord Dakshinamurthi, Goddess Durga, Lord Ganesha, Lord Nataraja, Sadainathar, Bikshadaneswarar,

 


 
 
 




The legend has that Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva were engaged in a dice game, meanwhile Lord Shiva required to clear some reservations about the game with Goddess Parvati.  But, Goddess Parvati amusingly responded favorable to Lord Vishnu.   Lord Shiva was annoyed at the reply of Goddess Sri Parvati and cursed her to be born as a cow on Earth.  Accordingly, Goddess Parvati took birth as a cow and worshipped Lord Shiva in many sacred places and finally reunited with   Lord.   In this temple the Linga can be seen with the foot prints of cow visible on the upper portion.

 
 

Another legend has that Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu had an argument about their supremacy. Lord Shiva appeared in the form of a huge Linga to resolve the issue between the two deities. Lord Brahma took the form of a swan and dived into sky and Lord Vishnu turned out a wild boar and plunged into the Earth with an intention to find the beginning and the end of huge Linga. Later, Lord Brahma returned with a wrong witness of Thazhampoo (Ketaki - screwpine) flower and Lord Vishnu came out with his sincere remarks. Lord Shiva cursed the Ketaki flower and lost its presence in all the rituals forever. Later, the most compassionate Lord blessed Ketaki flower that her presence would be permissible only on the day of Mahashivratri rituals.  Lord Brahma was cursed by Lord Shiva.   In order to get rid of the curse Lord Brahma arrived on this land and created a pond known as Brahma Theertham.   Eventually, underwent severe austerities praying to Lord Shiva and got relieved from the curse.

 
 

This temple remains open from 6.00 AM to 12.00PM in the morning and 4.30 PM to 8.30 PM in the evenings.



 
Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!
 
 
 
 
Jai Sriman Narayana !! 

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