The shrine is praised in the hymns of Saint Tirugnana
Sambandar. This is the 94th Shiva Temple
on the southern bank of Cauvery praised in hymns.
Vinayaka of the temple is worshipped as Siddhi
Vinayaka. The Amrutha Theertham-sacred
spring is outside opposite the temple. On the bank of theertha is Sri Vinayaka in the name of Aadhi
Gajanathar. The structure is such that
the Vimana of Aadhi Gajanathar is visible from the Lords shrine within the
temple. On the Masi Magam day, five
deities-Panchamurthys, Lord Koneswarar, Mother Perianayaki, Lord Vinayaka, Lord
Muruga and Lord Chandikeswara visit the Amrutha Theertha for Theerthavari
festival.
Lord Muruga as Gunavayil Kumaran graces from a shrine in the
prakara praised by Saint Arunagiriar in his Tirupugazh hymns. There is a shrine for Idumban too. There are two Bhairavas, one without the dog
vahan. Sun and Moon grace the devotees
in sitting and standing form respectively.
Those who had failed to perform the rituals for their ancestors pray to
Sun and Moon seeking pardon. Sage Soodha
before Lord Shiva appears worshipping the Lord.
There are also shrines for four Saivite Saints, Sundarar (one among the
four saints) with Paravai Nachiar, Mother Saraswathi without Her Veena Mother
Gajalakshmi and Saptha Madhas.
Lord Shiva, as a swayambumurthy is facing west from a square
stage-Chatura peeta. The scar caused by
the sharp nose of Garuda the eagle is visible on the Linga. Mother Perianayaki with all the attributes of
Mother Durga graces the devotees from a separate shrine facing south. She is worshipped as Bruhath (big)
Durgambika. There is no Durga in the
Shiva goshta wall. The temple was
renovated by Kochengat Chola. Saint
Tirugnana Sambandar had mentioned this temple in his hymn as Ezhilkola Mada
koil ? beautiful mada temple. As Lord
Shiva granted his darshan from a high level place, it is praised as mini
Kailash.
Koneswarar, Soodha Maharshi, Sage Brughu and Thalappiar had
worshipped Shiva here. The Lord is named
Koneswarar as He loves (Ko) beings ? Easwara-Lord. As the mouth piece of Nectar pot (kudam) fell
here, the place is called Kudavasal.
Lord is known also as Amudha Lingeswarar and Vanmeekanathar as He was in
an Ant-hill-Vanmeekam. Lord Kasi
Viswanatha graces opposite the entrance.
The rays of Sun fall on the Lord for three days during March-April.There are varieties of Vinayakas in the temple, Aadhi
Gajanathar on the bank of Amudha Theertham, Anumadhi Vinayaka permitting
devotees to proceed to main shrine, Maalai Vazhipattu Vinayaka-Vinayaka for
evening worship to whom the first puja in the evening is dedicated and also a
shrine for Twin Vinayakas.
During the Great Floods-Pralaya, Lord Brahmma placed the
Vedas in a nectar pot which too was washed by the floods and came to
south. To create the world again, Lord
Shiva shot on the pot in the guise of a hunter.
The pieces fell at different places where Lord appeared as Swayambu
Linga. The mouth part of the pot fell at
this place where too Lord appeared as a Swayambumurthy. This was later covered by an ant-hill. Vinatha, mother of Garuda was the slave of
one Kathru. Garuda wanted to rescue his
mother from the bonds. He flew to
Devaloka and brought the nectar pot.
While returning, a demon tried to snatch the pot from Garuda. He placed the pot on an ant-hill nearby and
fought with the demon and defeated him.
When he came to take the pot, it was hidden in the ant-hill. He tore the hill with his sharp nose and
found a Shiva Linga there. Lord granted
darshan to him. Garuda narrated the
plight of his mother. Lord rescued
Vinatha from the bondage and made her free.
Garuda, as token of his gratefulness to Lord Shiva, built this temple
Moolavar: Koneswarar
Amman / Thayar: Perianayaki
Thala Virutcham: Plantain tree
Theertham: Amirtha Theertham
Agamam / Pooja: Karana Agama
Old year: 1000-2000 years old
Historical Name: Tirukudavayil
This sivasthalam temple is situated at Kudavasal on the
Kumbakonam - Tiruvarur route by road. It is about 16 Kms. from tiruvarur and
about 15 Kms. from Kumbakonam. Other paadal petra sthalams situated nearby to
Kudavayil are Tirupperuvelur, Tiruthalaiyalankadu and Tirucherai.
Lord Shiva is a Swayambumurthy in this Mada temple. Rays of
Sun fall on the Lord for three days during Panguni month March-April.
Masi Magam Brahmmotsavam in February-March
Vaikasi Visakam
in May-June
Navarathri in September-October
Skanda Sashti in October-November
Tiruvadhirai in December-January and Panguni Uthiram in March-April are the
festivals celebrated in the temple.
Those sad for not fulfilling the wishes of their mothers,
pray to Lord Shiva for peace of mind. Those concerned with the
welfare of children also pray here. Those facing problems in
marriage efforts light ghee lamps on lime cups during the Rahu Kala time in
Mother Durga shrine.
Realizing their wishes devotees perform special abishek to
Lord and Mother offering vastras.
The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. and from
4.00 p.m. 9.00 p.m.
Sri Koneswarar Temple, Kudavasal-612 601, Tiruvarur District.
Contact Number - +91 94439 59839.
Do:
- Do pray your Ishta Devata before pilgrimage to Temple.
- Do contact Temple Devasthanam information centre for enquiry, temple information and for Pooja details etc.
- Do reserve your travel and accommodation at Temple well in advance.
- Do bath and wear clean clothes before you enter the temple.
- Do concentrate on God and Goddess inside the temple.
- Do maintain silence and recite Om Namahsivaya or your Istamantram to yourself inside the temple.
- Do observe ancient custom and traditions while in Temple.
- Do respect religious sentiments at Temple.
- Do deposit your offerings in the hundi only.
Don't s:
- Do not come to Temple for any purpose other than worshipping of God and Goddess.
- Do not smoke at Temple.
- Do not consume alcoholic drinks at Temple.
- Do not eat non-vegetarian food in the Kshetram.
- Do not approach mediators for quick Darshanam. It may cause inconvenient to others.
- Do not carry any weapon inside the temple.
- Do not wear any head guards like helmets, caps, turbans and hats inside the temple premises.
- Do not perform Sastanga Pranama inside the Sanctum Sanctorum.
- Do not take much time while performing Sparsa Darshanam to God in Garbhagriha.
- Do not buy spurious prasadams from street vendors.
- Do not encourage beggars at Temple.
- Do not spit or create nuisance in the premises of the temple.