| Description:
This Shivastalam is located at a distance of 6 km from Kumbhakonam. It
is considered to be the 45th in the series of Tevara Stalams in the
Chola kingdom located north of the river Kaveri. Legend
has it that Shiva is revealed the grammar of Tamil to Agasthyar here and is also
said to have submitted temple accounts to a king. Airavatam the mythological elephant is
said to have worshipped Shiva here.
The Temple: A five tiered Rajagopuram adorns the entrance to this
temple with 2 prakarams, while a Gajaprishta Vimaanam with 5 kalasams crowns the
sanctum.This temple covers an area of about 2 acres. Stucco images on the vimanam
illustrate the Stala Puranam. The Shivalingam and the entrance to the sanctum are
huge and the Natarajar image is of great workmanship. Nityakalyani Amman is situated to
the right of Shiva, while there is a separate shrine for Sugandha Kundalambal in the outer
prakaram. Nityakalyani Amman's shrine located close to Shiva's shirne is said to represent
the Kalyanakkolam of Shiva. Inscriptions from the Chola and Vijayanagar periods are found
in this temple.
Worship:: Four worship services are offered each day here. |
