Friday, April 20, 2012

Kodumudi Veera Narayana Perumal


Lord Veera Narayana Perumal prevented floods by turning the Cauvery into an Easterly direction from North 
Parikara Sthalam for different kinds of dosham

Located 40kms off Erode on the Karur Highway in Kodumdi is the Trimurthi Abhimana Sthalam where Lord Shiva is seen in the form of Magudeswara, Vishnu in a sleeping posture as Veera Narayana Perumal and Brahmma beneath a 2000year old Vanni tree.

This Trimurthi sthalam is a very important Parikara temple believed to liberate one from different kinds of dosham. There is a separate tower at the Eastern Entrance for each of the Tri Murthies, with Vishnu being in the middle.

Veera Narayana Perumal turns Cauvery’s direction 

Located 40kms off Erode on the Karur Highway in Kodumdi is an Abhimana Sthalam dedicated to the Trimurthies, one where Lord Shiva is seen in the form of a Swayambu lingam, Vishnu in a sleeping posture as Veera Narayana Perumal and  Brahmma beneath a 2000year old Vanni tree. This Trimurthi sthalam is a very important Parikara temple believed to liberate one from different kinds of dosham.

This is one of the four Paadal Petra Sthalams in the Coimbatore District. Thirugnana Sambandar, Thirunavukkarasar and Sundarar visited and composed one Thevaram each about this temple.

There is a separate tower at the Eastern Entrance for each of the Tri Murthies, with the smaller tower for Vishnu being in the middle.

The Story
A fight broke out between Adhisesha and Vaayu to test their powers. Adhisesha coiled around Mount Meru. In retaliation, Vaayu dashed against it and blew it to pieces. Five big clips of Mount Meru fell in different places as five precious stones and each of these became a famous hill sthalam.

Diamond stone became Kodumudi hills, with Lord of Kodumudi alone designing himself as a lingam. In centuries gone by, Shiva was referred to as Thirupandi Kodumudi Mahadeva

Veera Narayana Perumal turns Cauvery’s direction
The story goes that Sage Agastya undertook penance here holding the sacred water of the Ganges in his Kamandala. Indra who had descended in the Chola Kingdom of Sirkazhi undertook pooja invoking the blessings of Shiva to save the people from a famine.

Shiva directed Vinayaka to appear in the form of a white crow and spill the sacred water at this place causing floods around Kodumudi.  Lord Veera Narayana Perumal is believed to come here and turned the direction of this sacred water (River Cauvery) away from the town of Kodumudi. Hence, while the Cauvery is seen in a North South direction till here, interestingly it takes an Easterly turn from North at this place. This incident is commemorated on a rock known as Agastya Paarai. Vinayaka is referred to as Cauvery Kanda Vinayaka.

Another story goes that Bharadwaja rishi took bath here on the Cauvery river banks and worshipped Magudeswara. Pleased with his prayers, Lord Shiva provided darshan in a dance posture accompanied by a Grand Orchestra. Hence this place is also referred to as Bharadwaja Kshetram.

Alongside Veera Narayana Perumal inside the sanctum of Vishnu are Garuda, Anjaneya, Narada, Brahmma, Vasudeva and Vibheeshana.

Sun’s rays of Lord Shiva
Sun’s rays falls on Lord Shiva and Amman on four days in Panguni and Avani indicating offering of pooja by the Sun God to Shiva.

Construction of Mandapas and Pagodas
Pleased with the growth of thumb of his son, which was originally defective, Malayadwaja Pandya constructed three Pagodas, Mandapas and also established a mutt and a choultry at this place.  He also gifted a big and beautiful temple car, endowed villages and made jewellery for the deities in a thanking gesture to the Trimurthies.

Ramayana Story
Ramayana Story relating to Vishwamitra’s Yagna, killing of Thaadagai, liberation of Ahalya’s curse and Rama Pattabhishekam is seen on the upper walls in the mandapa in front of the sanctum in the form of beautiful mini sculptures.

On the third pillar of the prakara, one finds a special type of Vinayaka- Vinayaka’s Swaroopa, Sakthi’s Hamsam and Tiger’s legs.

Pandya kings are believed to have undertaken renovation of the temple, in recognition of which one finds the Pandyan Kondai in front of the Garuda Sannidhi.

Parikara Sthalam

This is an important Parikara Sthalam for liberation from all kinds of Dosham. Unmarried people are believed to find their spouse after they perform parikara pooja at this temple. This is also a parikara sthalam for improvement in business and career prospects. Worshipping Shiva during Pradhosham days is very sacred at this temple.

Devotees carrying Kaavadi to Palani have bath here at Cauvery before proceeding to Palani.

Specifically this is a temple for liberation from Avittam star dosham.

Inscriptions
7th Century Inscriptions indicate renovation of the temple by Narasimma Pallava. There are two lion faced stone pillars as a testimony to his contribution. An 8th Century inscription indicates donation by Thermaaran of gold coins, jewels and ornaments to the temple. Malayathu Pandya donated villages towards the upkeep of the temple. Komara Varma gifted things towards Thirumanjana on Thiruvathirai Star

11th Century AD stone inscription on the Cauvery banks in Tamil refers to a gift of gold for food offerings.

On the Northern wall is a record of tax free gift of villages fixing income from same in gold and paddy to God to meet expenses of offerings, worship and celebrating star of the king and Maasi Magam

13th Century AD inscriptions indicate gifting of land by Sundara Pandya Kesarivarma

On the back of the Ardha Mandapa in front of Amman Shrine refers to the setting up images of Ilaya Pillayar (Subramanya) an d Garuda and a grant of 5pon to meet expenses of worship.

 Festivals
Aadi Perukku is a special occasion when devotees have sacred bath at the Cauvery
Aani Jeshtabhishekam- Once in a year Moolavar Thirumanjana with Sandalwood oil paste
Horse Vahana procession in Puratasi
3day Utsavam in Margazhi
11day Brahmotsavam in Chitrai including Chariot Festival in Hastham

Quick Facts

Deity                : Veera Narayana Perumal East Facing Sayana Kolam
Goddess           : Veera Lakshmi/ Thirumangai Nachiyar
Temple Time     : 6am-12noon and 330pm-8pm
Contact            : Sridhar Bhattar @94881 43403/93605 01970.04204 222020

How to reach
6107 Chennai Mangalore Express Stops at Kodumudi (7am)
From Erode, One can reach Kodumudi in one hour by bus and within 45minutes by bus from Karur.

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