Kokileswarar temple, TiruKozhambam
Location: TiruKozhambam
Deity known as: Kokileswarar
Female Deity: Sowndara Nayaki
Pathikam: Tirunavukarasar - 1, Sambandar - 1
Gallery - TiruKozhambam Temple
How to Reach
This Shiva temple is located 20 km from Kumbakonam. From Kumbakonam, travel on the Karaikkal road and reach S.Puthur village, then travel north on a branch road which leads to Tirukozhambam.
Temple Address
Tirukozhambam
Kumbakonam Taluk
Thanjavur district
Tamil Nadu
Temple Hours
Morning: 7:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Important Notice
Due to a few incidents of theft in the past, the temple is closed before 6:00 PM. Therefore, it is advisable to contact the temple in advance and plan a visit during the morning hours.
Near by Temples
| 1 | Tiruvidaimarudur - 10 kms | |
| 3 | Aduthurai - 6.6 kms | |
| 4 | Tiru-Neelakudi - 9 kms | |
| 5 | Vaikal Madakovil - 5.2 kms | |
| 6 | Tiru-Nallam - 5.5 kms | |
| 7 | Tiruvavaduthurai - 7.2 kms |
Historical Significance
Contribution of Sembian Madevi
This temple is one of the temples which received the royal patronage of the Chola Queen Sembian Madevi, grandmother of the great Rajaraja Chola I. Her devotion and contributions helped develop this temple during the Chola period.
Sthala Purana - The Divine Legends
The Curse and Goddess Parvathi
At one time, due to a curse, Goddess Parvathi assumed the form of a cow and descended to the earthly realm, worshipping God Shiva at several sacred sites. Thirukkozambam is one such place. While worshipping here in the form of a cow, her hoof slipped and struck the ground, causing the Shiva Linga to be unearthed. Hence, the presiding deity of this temple came to be known as Kokileshwarar.
The Game of Dice
While Shiva and Maha Vishnu were once playing Sokkaṭṭān (a traditional dice game), Goddess Parvathi was seated as the neutral referee. When a doubt arose regarding the roll of the dice, Shiva asked Parvathi to give her judgment. Parvathi gave a verdict in favor of Maha Vishnu. Feeling displeased, Shiva cursed Parvathi to be born on earth in the form of a cow. Thus born as a cow, Parvathi journeyed to several places on earth. Tiru-Kozhambam is one of the sacred places where Goddess Parvathi offered her worship to Shiva.
Brahma's Worship
Once, a dispute arose between Maha Vishnu and Brahma as to who among them was superior. Shiva then appeared before them in the form of a boundless beam of light (Jyoti), challenging them to find either His beginning or His end. Brahma set out to find the top of the divine beam, but was unable to do so. With the aid of the Thāzhampoo (screw pine flower), he falsely claimed that he had seen the crown of the Jyoti. Enraged by this falsehood, Shiva punished Brahma.
Later, Brahma came to this sacred place, created a holy tank in his own name, bathed in it, and worshipped Shiva to atone for his sin. This water body is known as Brahma Theertham and is located outside the temple.
Story of the Vidyadhara
A Vidyadhara named Chandhan was cursed by Indra and was transformed into a cuckoo (Kokila). In order to be relieved of the curse, he came to this place and worshipped the deity for many years. Eventually the curse was lifted and he regained his original form. As the devotee worshipped the deity here in the form of a cuckoo (Kokila), the presiding deity of this temple came to be known as Kokileshwarar.
Indra's Worship
Indra too worshipped the deity at Tiru-Kozhambam to be relieved of a curse imposed by Sage Gautama.
Temple Structure
Main Entrance
This temple has a single main entrance (mukha vāyil). Directly opposite the main entrance lies the Brahma Theertham. Above the entrance gateway, Shiva and Parvathi are depicted in a seated posture, with Vinayaka on one side and Muruga accompanied by Valli and Deivanai on the other.
Gopuram and Mandapam
Upon entering through the main gateway, a long passage leads to the three-tiered gopuram. In front of the gopuram are the Nandi Mandapam and the Bali Peetam. Passing through the gopuram and proceeding inward, one reaches the Maha Mandapam, where the Nataraja Sabha is located.
Inner Prakaram
In the inner prakaram, sannidhis for Vinayaka, Appar, Murugan, Gajalakshmi, and Bhairava can be seen.
Goshta Murthas
In the Goshta (niches) of the sanctum, along with the deities usually found—Dakshinamurthy, Brahma, Durga, and Vinayaka—the forms of Nataraja, Sattai Nathar, and Bhikshatana are also seen.
Special Features of the Temple
Swayambhu Deity
The presiding deity of this temple is a Swayambhu Linga (self-manifested) form. The bāṇam (shaft) of the Shiva Linga here is notably large. As a mark commemorating Goddess Parvathi's worship in the form of a cow, the imprint of a cow's hoof can be seen on the Āvudaiyār (base of the Linga).
This unique feature serves as a testament to the divine legend associated with this sacred shrine, where Goddess Parvathi herself revealed the presence of God Shiva.
Gallery - TiruKozhambam Temple
