One of the ancient temples rebuilt by Kochengatcholan as a elevated Temple(mada kovil) It is related to the legend of pralaya and regeneration of life forms. The lord is also known as Koneshwara (one who loves Ko -humans), Amritakateeswara( custodian of the pot of amruth), Vanmeekinatha( one who arose from an ant hill)
How to reach:
The temple is on the highway from Kumbakonam to Tiruvarur midway .About 18 kms from Kumbakonam in front is a pond Amritha saras.It is easily seen
Legends and Stories:
When pralaya occurred the life forms were preserved in a pot by Brahma and when it rolled down during the floods, it came south and was hidden in an ant hill here. Garuda wanted to set his mother and siblings free by giving them amruth from this pot when it slipped . In retriving this garuda used his beaks and injured the Vanmiki nathar in the ant hill.The lord bears the mark till today. The pot also broke releasing the life forms this is the amritha saras in front of the temple and the pot's remnant bottom portion rolled into Kumbakonam this is the Adi Kumbeshwara koil and the neck (kuda vasal Kudam+pot Vasal=entry door) fell here
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| Garudan sannidhi in the temple |
The temple has been praised by Thirugnana sambandar
The temple has no Durga as the Periyanayaki herself has attributes of Durga
As you enter the Rajagopuram you see the kodimaram and the Ambal sanidhi (Periyanayaki) is on the left She is facing south
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| Kodimaram and Ambal sannidhi on the left |
The inner enclosure has the steps to the main sanctum
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Steps leading to the main sanctum of Shiva he is facing west
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The Shivalinga bears marks of the Beak of Garuda and is facing west
The Koshta vigrahas in the courtyard
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| Sthala vriksham ? |
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| Dakshinamurthy |
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| Vinayaka |
The beauty of the temple construction is the Adhi Ganapathy in front of the temple tank can be seen from the Top Shiva sannidhi
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