81 Friday Temple Visit
26h August 2022
வாரம் ஒரு கோவில் தரிசனம்
by S. Subramaniam
SRI KADAMBAVANESWARAR TEMPLE, KULITHALAI, KARUR DISTRICT, TAMILNADU, INDIA
Location:
Sri Kadambavaneswarar Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is located at Kulithalai Town in Karur District of Tamil Nadu. The temple lies about 41 Kms from Karur, 47 Kms from Namakkal, 42 Kms from Tiruchirapalli.
Salient Features:
The name of the presiding deity of the temple is Kadammba Vaneswsrar or Kadamba Vabmnanathathar. Devi Parvati is known by the names, Bala Gujambal or Mutrila Mulai Amman. The Holy tree (Sthala Vruksham) associated with the temple is the Kadamba tree - Bur-flower tree. River Cauvery flows close to the temple and is considered one of the Holy waters (Sthala Theertham) of the temple, the other being a pond called Brahma Theertham.
Similarity with Benaras - Kasi:
This is the only temple on the Banks of River Cauvery facing North similar to Lord Vishwanath temple at Benaras, on the banks of the Ganges facing North. Hence, it is considered equivalent to the Benaras temple. Thats why the temple is referred to as Dakshina Kasi.
Uniqueness
Set of three Shiva temples
The River Cauvery is at its widest part between Karur and Trichy and is therefore referred to as Akhanda Cauvery and located along its banks is a triad of Shiva Temples, all famed giving raise to the saying Kalai Kadambar, Mathiya Sokkar, Anthi Venginathar.
The temple at Kulithalai is to be visited in the morning, followed by Ratnagiri or Iyermalai in the afternoon and Thiru Ingoimalai in the evening.
Name of the place, the Lord and Devi
The original name of this village was Kuzhi Thandalai referring to the grove in a depression. Appar in his Thevaram refers to the place as Kadamban Thurai while Arunagiri Nathar mentions it as Then Kadamban Thurai.
As the place was in ancient times full of Kadamba tree and Lord Shiva gave darshan to sage Kanva from one of the Kadamba trees, he has come to be known as Kadamba Vaneswarar.
The first stanza of the Pathigam by Thiru Navukku Arasar (Appar) mentions about Pillai Kadhal or calf-love. A mother laments at the condition of her daughter, so young that her breasts are still not formed fully, who loses her mind on Lord Shiva. Interestingly Devi Parvati is known in this temple by the name Muttrilamulai Amman or Balakuchambika – Devi whose breasts are yet to mature.
Legends
Legend pertaining to the Sapta Kanyas or the Seven Virgins.
Chapter 6 of Devi Mahatmyam isdevoted to Dhoomra Lochana Vadham or the annihilation of the Smoky Eyed Demon. His boons were very strong and he fought with equal might with Mother Durga.
Lord Shiva deputed Saptha Kannikas to fight the demon who hid himself in the hermitage of Maharshi Kathyayana. The virgins mistook the Rishi as the demon and eliminated him and thus incurred Brahmmahathi Dosha.
As advised by Devi, they performed penance on Lord Shiva and got relieved of the sin. Hence, the images of Sapta Kannis are installed behind the idol of Shiva Linga in the main shrine.
Pancha Kadamba Sthalams:
Lord Muruga worshipped Lord Shiva here for washing off the sin caused by killing of demon Surapadma.
It is considered as one of the five Kamba shrines installed by Lord Muruga (Subramanya Swami). The other four shrines are Kovil Kadambar, Aadi Kadambar, Ilankadambanoor and Perunkadambanoor.
Aiyadigal Kadavarkon Nayanar
The famous Pallava King, Simma Varman (c. 550-575) was a great Shiva devotee who later on was venerated as the 46th Nayanar under the title Aiyadigal Kadavarkon Nayanar. He is credited with composing the Kshetra Thiruvenba asking Shiva devotees to keep chanting the name of the Lord of Kuzhi Thandalai all the time.
Other deities:
Lord Shiva graces in the sanctum as a Vamadeva Swayambhu Linga facing north. Idols of Seven Virgins (Saptha Kannikas) can be found at the back side of presiding Deity.
Mother Bala Kujalambal is housed in a separate shrine facing east with a separate Dwajastambam, Nandi and Bali Peedam. Her shrine It is located outside the Mahamandapam.
The shrine of Anugnai Vinayaka has a separate tower above the sanctum in Tridala design. Lord Muruga graces from a shrine in the prakara with his consorts Valli and Deivanai.
Other deities include Bhairava, Somaskanda, Gajalakshmi, Jeshta Devi, Naalvar, 63 Nayanmars and various Lingams, Agora Veerabhadra, Sekkizhar and Chandikeswarar The Bhairava idol is very popular among the locals.
The idol of Lord Nataraja is unique in the sense that there is no Muyalagan under his feet.
Annual Festival - Thai poosam
The Annual festival of Thai Poosam is celebrated in a grand manner when Lord Kadambanatha along with Devi Parvati, Vinayaka, Muruga, Somaskanda and Nataraja proceed to the Cauvery. Deities from seven other surrounding villages join the procession and large crowds gather to witness this divine congregation.
Literary Mentions
Apart from the Thevaram hymns of Thiru Navukku Arasar, Thiruppugazh songs by Arunagiri Nathar and Kshetra Thiruvenba by Aiyadigal Kadavarkon Nayanar, Muthuswami Dikshitar has composed his Neelakantam Bhajeham in raga Kedara Gaula/Rupakam on the Lord of Kulithalai. The song has plenty of references to the sthala puranam and also some other features of the temple.
Contact
Shri Kadamba Vaneswarar temple,
Kulithalai – 639 104
Karur District, Tamilnadu, India
Phone: +91 4323 225 228.
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