| Description:
This Shivastalam represents one of the five 'Kaa's or 'Solai's, the othere being Aanaikka, Kolakka, Nellikkaa and Kurakkukka.
All of the multitudes of Gods (Koti) are said to have worshipped here at this shrine
beautified by countless gardens (kavu), hence Kotikka. Tirukkodikka is
considered to be the 37th in the series of the Tevara Stalams located
in Chola Nadu north of the river Kaveri. Legends: Shiva
is said to have escorted a devotee Haradatta to Kanjanur
nearby, and mysteriously disappeared. (The image above is that of the Kanjanur Temple). Vasishtar is said to have installled an
image of Ganapati fashioned out of earth.
It is believed that the Alwars were asked by Venkatar of Tirupati to worship Tripurasundari here before
offering worship at Tirupati. Agasthyar is said to have helped them cross the Kaveri in
spate, by having them worship Karaiyetru Vinayakar. Tripurasundari Amman is then said to
have blessed them with a vision of Venkatachalapati
The Temple: There are two prakarams and a 5 tiered Rajagopuram in this
temple which covers an area of about 3.5 acres. The niche images here include those
of Vinayakar, Agastyar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingodbhavar, Bhrama, Durga, Bhikshatanar and
Ardhanareeswarar. There are about 50 inscriptions in this temple, from the days of
the early and later Pallavas, the Imperial Cholas and Pandyas
This temple was rebuilt of stone by Sembiyan Mahadevi (10th century) who caused earlier
inscriptions to be re-engraved. Surrounding the main central shrine and the maha mandapam,
is a wall known as Vikramacholan Tirumaligai with a pillared and covered platform running
its entire length. It was during the period of Kulottunga I and his son Vikrama Chola that
such walls were raised in several temples all over the empire, enclosing courtyards
within. The image of Surya was set up here by Ilaiyan Aditta Pidaran. There are several
inscriptions from the period of Kulottunga I and his son Vikrama Chola, in the
Mahamandapam of the temple.
Festivals: Four worship services are offered each day. Arudra
Darisanam, Kartikai Deepam, Navaratri, Sivaratri, Chitra Pournami, Sivaratri, Aadi Pooram
and Vinayaka Chaturthi are the festivals celebrated here. |
