Sri Kampahareswar - Sarabeswarar Temple

Overview

The Kampaheswarar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Shiva. It is situated in the town of Thirubuvanam on the Mayiladuthurai-Kumbakonam road. Shiva is worshipped as "Kampaheswarar" as he removed the quaking of a king who was being haunted by a Brahmarakshasa. Lord Shiva in the temple is a swayambumurthy.

Sri Kampaheswarar Temple (or) Sarabeswarar Temple has located at Thirubuvanam village of Kumbakonam taluk, Thanjavur district. The main God of this temple is Lord Shiva has known as Kampaheswarar and Goddess Parvathi. The Chola King Kulothunga Chola had built this temple for his victory of North Indian battle.

In this temple, there is a separate Sannithi for Sarabeswarar. Lord Sabeswara in his 7 feet tall majestic posture graces from a separate shrine. The Sarabeswarar is the mixture of man, eagle and lion. The Sarabeswarar is an avatar of Lord Shiva to cool the Narasimha after destroyed the Asura Hiranyakaskasan. There is a saying that Sarabeswarar destroy all evils and enemies. Child boon, Marriage difficulties have solved by the Lord Sarabeswarar. Apart from this temple, Thirubuvanam is famous for Silk Sarees.

About The Temple

The temple follows the Dravidian style of architecture. An unusual feature of the temple is that the vimana is extremely high unlike other Dravidian-style South Indian temples. The architecture of the temple is similar to the Big Temple at Thanjavur, Airavatesvara Temple at Darasuram and Gangaikonda Cholapuram temples. The distinct features of all the temples are the vimana, the structure over the sanctum, being taller than the gateway tower, which is an unusual feature in Dravidian temples. There is a separate shrine for Sarabeswarar and a metal icon of the same deity within the sanctum, which has fine artistic work. Yali, a mythical creature with the face of a lion, which is otherwise considered a symbol of Nayak architecture, has its earliest representation in Chola art in the temple, built by the Later Cholas of the 13th century.

There are two gopurams and two Praharams, the Karpagraham, artha mandapam, maha mandapam and muha mandapam and Somaskandar mandapam. The Karpagraham is the shape of square. It's both sides having Karnathuvara steps. Dakshinamoorthy, Lingothbhavar and Brahmma reside on the wall of Sri Vimana.

There are six base of Srivimana. One can see sculptures of the scenes of Puranas on the wall of Srivimana. Some of other shrines in the temple are - Murugan, Dharmasamvardhini Amman, Sarabar and many more shrines. Kampaheswarar Temple, exhibiting the architectural opulence and magnificence of the artisans of the yesteryears, stands as reminiscent of the Dravida style of architecture.

The presiding deity of the temple, Lord Shiva is the form of Kampaheswarar. Besides this the temple also has a separate shrine for Sarabeswarar, a fusion of man, eagle and lion. According to a legend the deity is said to have relieved the Devas or gods from the rage of Lord Vishnu in the form of Narasimha after he killed Hiranyakashipu.

A sculptural representation of Sharbeshwaramurti can also be seen in the Tribhuvanam temple in Tanjore district in Tamil Nadu. The deity is depicted with three legs, with body and face of a lion as well as a tail. The deity possesses four human arms. With the right upper hand he is seen holding an axe, with his lower right hand he holds a noose, with the upper left hand a deer and a fire in the lower left hand.

Narasimha is seen having eight arms, flaying and struggling under the feet of Sharbeshwaramurti. Besides these, the temple is also adorned with beautiful sculptures of Sridevi and Bhudevi, the consorts of Lord Vishnu. The main deity of the temple is Shiva lingam in the form of Kampaheswarar.

Shrines of Lords Bikshadana, Lingodhbava, Dakshinamurthy, Brahmma and Mother Durga are in the prakara. The temple under the administration of Darumapuram Aadheenam has nine Sacred Springs including Saraba Theertham.

Legend and Stories

As per Hindu legend, Shiva is believed to have relieved Kampa (quaking) of a king haunted by evil spirits on account of the king killing a Brahmin by mistake. This led to the name of Kampahisvara. King Varaguna Pandian was proceeding on a war against his enemies. He was riding fast on the horse. As a Brahmin came crosswise, to save him, the king tried to reduce the speed. But, as fate had it, the Brahmin died of the accident. His spirit occupied the king with Brahmmahathi dosha-sin of murder. He came to Tiruvidaimarudur for worshipping the Lord, where the spirit left him and stood at the eastern entrance. He proceeded to Tirupuvanam and yet was trembling with the fear of the spirit catching him again. Lord Kampahareswarar saved the king from trembling. Hence, He is praised as Nadukkam (trembling) Theertha Nayakan.

History

As per inscriptions found in the south wall of the temple, the shrine was constructed by the Chola king Kulothunga Chola III as a memorial of his successful North Indian campaign. The inscriptions in the shrine of the presiding deity is similar to the one in the outer gopuram (gateway tower), which indicates the building of the temple by Kulottunga-Choladeva. While it is unclear which Kulottunga it is, scholars have placed it at 1176 CE, which is closer to the reign of Kulothunga Chola III, who is believed to have been the last powerful Chola king.

There are four inscriptions from Kulothunga Chola in Grantha script. The inscription 189 of 1907, the one on the southern wall of the central shrine, is damaged and mentions Arya Sri-Somanatha. Inscription 190 on the same wall indicates the building operations of Kulothunga Chola. 191, at the entrance of outer gopura, is a duplicate of the 190. On the same gopura, inscription 192 indicates record of King Kulothunga Chola. There are two inscriptions in Tamil from the period of Jatavarman Tribhuvanachakravartin Parakrama Pandyadeva registered by Epigraphy Department in 1911. One of them, 159, registers a contract between the residents of Tribhuvanavirapuram and Kulamangalanadu, who were urkaval (watchmen) of the village. On the same wall, the inscription numbered 160, records a similar contract in the presence of Chief Udaiyar Kulasekharadeva

Festivals

18 day Panguni Brammotsavam in March-April, with Saraba Utsav on the Sunday following the Brammotsavam is celebrated in the temple with Eka Dina (single day) Archana throughout the night. Lord comes in procession that day in His silver car. Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, Ashtami (eighth day of new moon or full moon fortnights) are the days dedicated for special pujas to Lord Sarabeswara. Also daily Saraba Homa is conducted in the temple. Special pujas are performed for Lord Muruga on every Karthika star day. Sankatahara Chaturthi Puja is performed for Lord Vinayaka. Navarathri in September-October and Shivrathri in February-March are festival days. Also Poornima procession is celebrated each month. The devotee crowd will be huge on Pradosha days (13th day of full moon or new moon fortnights). Also Tamil and English New Year days and Pongal are celebrated in the temple with special abisheks and Aaradhanas.

Significance

People pray to Lord Sarabeswara for relief from illness, worries, court matters, effects of witchcrafts, threats from hidden enemies, spells, adverse situations caused by planets. They will achieve a life of their choice, promotion in job, wise children, and freedom from debt burdens. Those praying to Lord Kambakareswarar are blessed with total relief from neurology problems, shivering, meaningless fear in mind, lack of brain growth and other ailments. They are also blessed with healthy longevity. Mother Ambica frees Her devotees from sin, ensures unity among couples and child boon.

Thanks Giving

Devotees perform Sahasranama archanas (chanting 1000 names of Lord), sandal abishek, Saraba Yajnas to Lord Sarabeswara for 11 weeks continuously. They perform archanas with red flowers, fragrant leaves called Marikozhundu in Tamil, Vilwa, Nagalinga flowers and offer vastras. This is an important commitment. They also perform abishek with curd and milk for relief from ailments and longevity respectively. Generally abisheks are offered to Lord with oil, rudrabishekam, offering vastras to Lord and Mother, Annadhanan-feeding and nivedhanas for distribution to devotees.

How To Reach Sri Kambakareswarar Temple, Tirupuvanam

Air

The nearest airport is Trichy Airport.

Rail

The nearest railway station is Kumbakonam Railway Station.

Road

Thirubuvanam is located in the Thanjavur District of Tamil Nadu in India. It is 6 km from Kumbakonam city on Mayiladuthurai (Mayavaram) / Chidambaram Bus route (Town bus, Route bus (Mofussil), Mini bus, car, auto facilities are available. Thirubuvanam is also famous for Silk cloth. Tirupuvanam lies on the main Kumbakonam-Mayiladurai road and is linked with sufficient bus facilities. Bus facilities are available from Kumbakonam too.

Temple Address

Sri Kambakareswarar Temple,
Thirupuvanam ,Thanjavur district,
Tamil Nadu, Pincode - 612103.