Sri Deivanaatheswarar Temple

Overview

This temple is located in Elimiankottur, on the western bank of the Coovum lake. This is the 13th of the 32 Tevara Stalams in the Tondai region of South India.Shiva here is said to have been worshipped by the celestial nymph Rambai and hence the name Arambayamkottur, which over a period of time became Ilambayankottur. Legend also has it that Chandra worshipped Shiva here. The temple is praised in the hymns of saint Tirugnanasambandar with a poetic beauty describing the environment of the place filled with plays of elephants and peacocks in pairs, where Lord acknowledges his song as His own. It is in this place of all beauty, named Ilambayankattoor, Lord Shiva has chosen His Abode. This is 13th shrine in Thondaimandalam region praised Thevaram hymns.

About The Temple

The temple is noted for three important attributes: Murthy, Sthala and Theertha, which are the Glory of the Lord, Sacredness of the land and the spring. Mother Graces facing south on the Sri Chakra Peeta. Rice is offered as nivedhana.

About The Deity

Lord Shiva here is named Deiva Nayaka Easwarar after the event of his assuming the Commandership of the Deva forces against the demons. He is also praised as Arambeswarar as He graced the Aramba women belonging to the celestial world. The place was named after this event as Arambayankattoor that changed as Ilumbiyankattor in the days that followed. Moon-Chandra worshipped Lord Shiva aftr a dip in the Mallika Pushkarini theertha and got relieved from the curse of Daksha. It is firmly believed that the soul would be totally relieved from the cycle of births and deaths, if one bathes in the Mallika Pushkarini Theertha.

Legend and stories

On His march to destroy the demons to protect the Devas, Lord Shiva passed through this place, once a forest of dense Jasmine trees. Lord Vinayaka broke the axis of Lord’s chariot as He passed without worshipping Him. Lord Vishnu held the car from falling down. The kondrai garland on Shiva’s neck fell down and became a swayambulinga. Saint Tirugnanasambandar was returning through this way after visiting Shiva temples. Lord Shiva in the guise of an old man asked the saint to sing the praise of Lord who was in that place, but the saint could not see and returned. Lord again intercepted the saint in the form a cow, showed the place and insisted His demand. Saint was too happy and sang in praise of the Lord. Arambas-virgins of the celestial world, prayed to Lord to help them keep their alluring beauty perennially. Lord appeared before them as Yoga Dakshinamurthy and granted their boon. Prayer to Lord Yoga Dakshinamurthy will grace the devotee an enticing personality, it is believed. Lord Shiva, worshipped by the virgins is gracing us near the entrance of the temple facing west ensuring all the 16 benefits as education, prosperity, courage, and success etc. – 16 Peru in Tamil.

Festivals

Guru (Jupiter) transit days, Maha Shivrathri in February-March, Arudra Darshan in December-January and Tirukarthikai in November-December is the festivals celebrated in the temple.

Rare Facts

Lord Shiva appears so soft here as the petals of Kondrai flower. Cow Puja (Gopuja) is performed daily in the temple. From April 2 to 7 and from 5 to 11 in September, Sun God worships the Lord with his rays.

Significance

All ill effects on the devotee would vanish if he/she prays to Deivanayaka Easwarar. Those affected by adverse aspects of Jupiter planet, worship Yoga Dakshinamurthy with abishek and archanas.

Accessibility

The nearest airport is at Chennai. The nearest railway stations are at Kancheepuram and Arakkonam. This Shivastalam is located at a distance of 10 km south of Kadambattur on the Chennai Arakkonam suburban railroad, at a distance of 2km south west of of Coovum or Tiruvirkolam. Coovum is located 72 km west of Chennai.

Temple Address