About Temple:
kottaiyur is situated 3Km distance from Kumbakonam in the way to Thirupurampuyam. Kottaiyur is also known as Vilvaranyam and Herandapuram. The respectful name of Kottaiyur is Thirukottaiyur.
The Shivalingam here is said to have merged from a castor seed, hence Kottaiyur, Herandapuram; also the Shivalingam is believed to be composed of several Shivalingam, hence Koteeswarar.
kottaiyur Kodeeswarar temple
History:
Atreya rishi performed penances here, hence Heranda Munivar. Heranda muni who descended into the Kaveri at Tiruvalanchuzhi, emerged out here, hence the connection between the shrines. Good deeds committed here are said to multiply severalfold in value.
A 60 feet high five tiered gopuram adorns the entrace of this temple with 2 prakarams. An image of Manu needhi Cholan’s episode is seen near the 2nd gopuram as in Tiruvarur. There is a separate vimanam for Somaskandar here. Vinayakar here is Kotivinayakar. Kotivinayakar’s image is composed of several Vinayakars. The Utsava Vinayakar with his consorts resembles that at Tiruvalanchuzhi which is also located close by.
7th century inscriptions are found here in addition to inscriptions dating back to the 12th century that refer to the Eragaram Tevara Vaippustalam nearby. Tirunavukkarasar has sung the glory of this shrine along with that of Tiruvalanchuzhi
koteswara Temple
Speciality:
The place Kottaiyur derived the name as the Shiva Lingam materialized under the castor bushes. A great sage Eranda Munivar came out through a cave and showed the Cauvery River to the Chozha Kingdom and is believed that lord Shiva had given him and the Chozha king Darshan as millions of Shiva Lingams. Hence the place got the name of Koteeswarar. The main idol’s body covered with boil like eruptions is a specialty here. Also the Navagrahas here are depicted with their respective vehicles and Chakras which is a speciality too. Worshipping in this temple is considered equal to having the Darshan of a million Shiva Lingams.
Legends:
The Shivalingam here is said to have merged from a castor seed, hence Kottaiyur, Herandapuram;also the Shivalingam is believed to be composed of several Shivalingam, hence Koteeswarar. Atreya rishi performed penances here, hence Heranda Munivar. Heranda muni who descended into the Kaveri at Tiruvalanchuzhi, emerged out here, hence the connection between the shrines. Good deeds committed here are said to multiply severalfold in value.
Speciality:
A 60 feet high five tiered gopuram adorns the entrace of this temple with 2 prakarams. An image of Manu needhi Cholan’s episode is seen near the 2nd gopuram as in Tiruvarur.There is a separate vimanam for Somaskandar here.
Vinayakar here is Kotivinayakar. Kotivinayakar’s image is composed of several Vinayakars. The Utsava Vinayakar with his consorts resembles that at Tiruvalanchuzhi which is also located close by.
7th century inscriptions are found here in addition to inscriptions dating back to the 12th century that refer to the Eragaram Tevara Vaippustalam nearby.
