Koteeswarar Temple, Thirukkottaiyur
Location
Tiru-Kottaiyur
Deity
Koteeswarar
Female Deity
Pandhadu Nayaki, Kandhuka Kreedambal
Pathikam
Tirunavukkarasar - 1
Gallery – Koteeswarar Temple, Tirukkottaiyur
How to Reach
This Shiva temple is situated 5 km from Kumbakonam, on the Kumbakonam–Swamimalai route. Bus facilities from Kumbakonam are available to Tirukkottaiyur.
Temple Address
Kottaiyur
Melakaveri Post
Kumbakonam Taluk
Thanjavur District
PIN – 612002
Temple Hours
Morning : 6:00 - 12:00
Evening : 4:00 - 8:00
Nearby Paadal Petra Shiva Temples
Temple Layout
The most striking feature of Koteeswarar Temple is its impressive five-tiered Rajagopuram facing east, which welcomes devotees into the sacred space. Within the temple courtyard, one finds sannidhis dedicated to Vinayaka, Muruga, and Mahalakshmi. The main deity, Koteeswarar, is enshrined in the form of a self-manifested (Swayambhu) Linga, with the entire banam or top portion resembling a castor bean. According to local beliefs, the temple possesses a unique spiritual power whereby both good deeds and sins committed within its precincts are multiplied by crores of times — a concept reflected in a Tamil proverb implying that misdeeds performed here cannot be easily absolved. Conversely, the Sthala Puranam states that any meritorious acts performed here yield exponentially greater benefits.
Navagraha Sannidhi
A notable feature is the Navagraha sannidhi, where the nine celestial bodies are beautifully represented along with their respective vahanas. The temple’s sacred waters include the river Kaveri and the Koti Theertham, also known as Amudhakkinaru, located within the first prakaram. The temple’s sthala vriksham, or sacred tree, is a castor bean plant, further emphasizing the significance of this symbol in the temple’s mythology and iconography.
Goddess Pandhadu Nayaki
The shrine of Goddess Pandhadu Nayaki, the divine consort, faces the southern direction. The statue of the goddess is sculpted with one leg in a posture resembling the act of kicking a ball, symbolizing her ability to eliminate the sins and misdeeds of devotees with her powerful foot while simultaneously bestowing blessings upon them. Consequently, individuals passionate about sports often seek the goddess’s grace to excel in their respective fields.
Amudha Kinaru
The temple also houses the Amudha Kinaru, a sacred well believed to grant both external and internal purification to those who sprinkle its water on their heads. It is held that this divine Theertham bestows devotees with education, knowledge, and discipline, making it a sought-after source of spiritual enlightenment and personal growth.
Tiruppugazh by Arunagirinathar
Arunagirinathar, the renowned Tamil poet, composed hymns in praise of Lord Muruga enshrined at this temple in his celebrated work Tiruppugazh. Lord Muruga in the inner prakaram is known as Koti Subramanayar, depicted with one divine countenance and four arms facing east, accompanied by his two consorts. There is also a separate sannidhi at the temple entrance dedicated to Muruga in his form as Dhandayudhapani, the wielder of the sacred staff.
Temple History & Legend
Origin of the Name Koteeswarar
The village of Kottaiyur derives its name from the appearance of a self-manifested Lingam beneath a castor bean plant. This occurrence led to the presiding deity being venerated as Koteeswarar, and the temple erected in his honor took on this appellation. The etymology of Koteeswarar can be traced back to a Chola king and the sage Eranda, to whom the Deity appeared as a Koti Lingam — a manifestation of innumerable Lingams. The castor bean plant, known as Erandam, holds great significance here, as it was under this plant that the sage Eranda, also known as Erandamunivar, engaged in rigorous penance. Consequently, the temple is also referred to as Vilvaranyam and Erandapuram. The revered sage Markandeya worshipped the deity at this very site, and the presiding deity also appeared to the sage Padirayogi in various forms — as Koti Vinayaka, Koti Ambal, Koti Muruga, and in the innumerable form of Koti Linga.
The Sacrifice of Sage Eranda
The Cauvery River meanders gracefully through the landscape of Thiruvalanchuzhi. According to legend, as the river wound its way through the region, the mighty serpent Adisesha emerged from its depths, creating a massive pit in the riverbed into which the swirling waters disappeared. The Chola king who witnessed this was overcome with worry, and an incorporeal voice declared that the pit would only close if either the king or a great sage descended into the underworld and made the ultimate sacrifice. The king hastened to the sage Eranda, who was deep in penance amidst a dense grove of acacia trees in Kottaiyur. Without hesitation, Eranda selflessly descended into the dark abyss, sacrificing himself for the welfare of the kingdom. The waters of the Cauvery surged forth once more, sealing the pit and restoring the river’s natural flow. Today, Eranda Muni — also known as Aatreya Maharishi — is honored with a separate shrine within the Koteeswarar temple complex. This place holds special significance for those born under the Aatreya gotram.
Thirunavukkarasar’s Pathikam
The revered saint Thirunavukkarasar composed a Pathikam in honor of this temple, which is included in the 6th Thirumurai and is shared by both the Tirukkottaiyur and Thiruvalanchuzhi Shiva temples.
More Gallery – Koteeswarar Temple, Tirukkottaiyur
