Sri Kadambavana Natheswarar Temple, Kadambanthurai, Kulithalai - 275 Shiva Temples

02. Sri Kadambavana Natheswarar Temple, Kadambanthurai, Kulithalai (Chola Nadu - South of Kaveri):

Names of God : Sri Kadambavaneswarar, Sri Kadambavana Nathar
Name of Goddess : Sri Bala Kujalambal, Sri Mutrillamulayal
Holy water (Theertham) : Brahma Theertham
Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) : Kadamba Tree.
Thevaram : Thirunavukarasar
District : Karur.
Location : Kulithalai.
Timings : 06:00 a.m. to 01:00 p.m. and from 05:00 p.m. to 09:00 p.m

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This is the 02nd sthalam on the southern side of river Cauvery. Appar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple. Kadambar Koil is an important Shiva temple located in a village named Kulithalai near Karur and Trichy cities in South India. This temple is also called as Kadambanthurai. It is considered as the second among the Tevara Paadal Petra Stalams (274 most important temples of Lord Shiva) located in Chola country south of Kaveri river. Appar sang the hymns of the site.

Important Features:

It is considered as one of the five Kamba shrines installed by Lord Subramanya. The other four shrines are Kovil Kadambar, Aadi Kadambar, Ilankadambanoor and Perunkadambanoor.
The site was named as Brahmapuram as Lord Brahma conducted the chariot festival here.
Vishnu prayed to Shiva prior to recovering the Vedas from Somasuran; hence the site was also called as Chaturvedapuri.
Muthuswamy Deekshitar's Kriti Neelakantham Bhaje sings the glory of this shrine.
As per the legend, the Sapta Kannis were cursed by Katyayana rishi; they got rid of their curse after worshiping the Lord here; hence, the bas-relief images of Sapta Kannis are installed behind the idol of Shiv Linga in the main shrine.
There is a saying - "Morning Kadambar, afternoon Thiruvatpokki and evening Thirueengoinathar" which signifies visiting three temples in one day.
The main shrine faces north which is very rare. Hence, it is named as Dakshina Kashi.
The God appeared before Kanva rishi under the Kadamba tree.
The original temple might have been built by the Cholas; however, it was renovated later.
There are two Natarajar, of one is with muyalakan and other without muyalakan.

The temple has a big five storey tower and a mandapa in the front side. The sanctum sanctorum has the big Shiv Linga idol facing the north direction. The ardha mandapa has a slightly bigger idol of Ganesha. The Goddess is found in a separate shrine facing the east direction. It is located outside the maha mandapa. The flag post (dwajastambha), bali peetha and Nandi idols are found separately in front of both the shrines. There is a small bas-relief image of Paramanathar facing the Goddess shrine.

The temple has two prakaras (corridors around the main shrine). The outer wall of the main shrine has the Goshta idols (relief images) of Dakshinamurthy, Annamalaiyar and Brahma. Chandikeshwarar's small shrine is also found as usual. The first prakara has the idols of 63 Nayanmars, Nalvar, Navagraha, Ganesha, Subramanya with his consorts, few Nagas, few Shiv Lingas, Surya and Agora Veerabhadra. There are few shrines for some deities such as Somaskanda, Utsav idols, Gaja Lakshmi, Ganesha with just two hands and Subramanya along with his consorts. The Bhairava idol is very popular among the locals.

The second prakara is an open space. There are no idols or shrines located here except for a divine tree and few idols below the tree.

The temple graced by Lord Anugnai Vinayaka has its Vimana – tower above the sanctum sanctorum – is of Tridala design. The Rajagopura has five tiers. Lord Shiva is facing north while Lord Dakshinamurthy on the Koshta (wall around the sanctum) is facing south. Lord Chandikeswara is facing west against traditional south and Lord Brahamma east against north. Lord Muruga with His consorts Valli and Deivanai are above the Navagrahas - the nine planets to facilitate worshipping of those affected by Mars planet adverse aspects. Lord Muruga is the deity of Planet Mars. There is also a separate shrine for Sani Bhagwan-Saturn.

History / Legend:

Saptha Kannikas, the Seven Virgins prayed to Lord Shiva to protect them from the sins caused by killing demon Doomralochana. Lord Shiva is believed to be their security in this place. He also destroyed the demon. Devotees consider Mother Chamundi here as Mother Durga. Hence, there is no special shrine for Mother Durga. Worships to Mother Durga are offered in Shiva shrine itself. Pujas during Rahukala time are performed to Lord Shiva and Mother Durga simultaneously.

Lord Shiva graces as Vamadeva Swyambu (facing north). Cauvery flows in front of the temple. Remembering the occasion of Lord Shiva granting darshan to the Saptha Kannikas, Lord visits Cauvery with Mother Ambica. Also Lords of 7 Shiva temples around the place visit Cauvery the same day, same time. It is a rare opportunity for the devotees to worship 8 Lord Shivas simultaneously. The first part of Aipasi Tula Snanam (bathing in Cauvery in October-November is followed devotionally here with Kalai Kadambar (morning) Sokkar (midday) and Eengoinathar (evening) worships. Morning worship is considered very beneficial with multiple profits including the one of worshiping the Lord in Kasi in north. The place also has the reputation of being called Dakshina Kasi – Kasi of South.

Mother Muttrila Mulai Ammai graces from a shrine facing east. Paramanathar is the guardian deity of this shrine with his hand on the forehead in a saluting form. People perform abishek to Paramanathar with honey and offer porridge made of Pasi corn, praying Him to be a guardian of their houses too.

Lord Muruga worshipped Lord Shiva here for washing off the sin caused by killing of demon Surapanma. He graces from a shrine in the prakara with His consorts Valli and Deivanai with His six faces, described by Saint Arunagiriar as Lord of six military camps attributed to Him. Lord Lingodhbava is on the Sanctum Koshta-wall around the shrine.

There are two Natarajas with Muyalagan under one and one without. Crescent moon shines on the head. Devas of the celestial world appealed to Mother Ambica to protect them from the atrocities of Demon Doomralochana. Mother took the form of Durga and fought with the demon. As his boons were very strong, he fought with equal might with Mother. Mother began to feel weak. Lord Shiva deputed Saptha Kannikas to fight him. The demon could not stand their force and hid himself in the hermitage of Maharshi Kathyayana. The virgins mistook the Rishi as the demon and eliminated him and thus incurred Brahmmahathi dosha – a sin that would make the sinner dark with a gruesome face. As advised by Ambika, they performed penance on Lord Shiva and got relieved of the sin when Lord granted them darshan from the Kadamba tree.

Women believe that Lord Shiva would be their constant protector and submit all their grievances at His feet.

Location: This sivasthalam temple is located 2 Kms from Kulitalai railway station which is situated on the Karur - Tiruchirapalli section of the Southern Railway. This sivasthalam is 23 Kms from Karur and 55 Kms from Trichy.