Thirugokarnam Pudukottai

Saivite Temples, Pudhukottai District

God

Gokarneswarar, facing east

Goddess

Brahadambal, facing east

Other Deities

Magizhavaneswarar, Mangalambigai, Vinayaka, Muruga, Kasi Viswanathar, Veerabadhra, Saptha Maadhar, Saptha Lingam, Brahma, Bhairava, Surya, Subramanya, Lakshmi, Saraswathi, Durga, Pazhani Aandavar, Naalvar, 63 Nayanmar

Thirugokarnam Pudukottai is an ancient rock cut temple. The temple has undergone extensions over the ages and today is seen with a 5 tiered Rajagopuram in the south which leads inside through a long passage. The sanctums of the god and goddess are east facing. The temple pond is east of the temple. There are 3 more ponds around the temple. The sanctum sanctorum is a rock cut structure. The temple has an upper structure which houses the shrines and deities of Subramanya, Durga, Lakshmi, Saraswathu, Annapoorani, Rudrakshalingam, Brahma, Juraheshwara, Bhairava, Surya, Naalvar, Chandran and Dandayudhapani. Several beautiful idols are seen in this temple including 7 feet tall Gangadhara, Saptha Maadhar, Vinayaka, Agora Veerabadhra and Nayanars. Goddess Brahadambal was the family deity of the Thondaiman kings and she is seen standing here with four hands.

Holy Water (Theertham) – Kapila Theertham, Lakshmi Theertham, Mangala Theertham, Brahma Theertham, Indra Theertham

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – Magizham (Mimusops elengi)

History

Thirugokarnam Pudukottai was considered to have been constructed by the Pallava King Mahendravarman I in the 7th Century CE. But recent studies indicate that this temple, like other cave temples in the region, could have been constructed by the Pandyas in the 8th Century CE. Later contributions were made by Cholas and Pandyas between 11th and 12th Century CE. More constructions were done by the Nayak and Thondaiman Kings.

Legend

Brahma Bhoodevi, Sreedevi are believed to have worshiped the Lord here at Thirugokarnam. Kamadhenu, the sacred cow, is also believed to have worshiped the Lord here at Thirugokarnam, on the advise of Sage Kapila, for releif from a curse by Lord Indra. Kamadhenu is said to have brought water from the Ganges daily by filling her ears with the water and hence the name Go (Cow). She is believed to have created a small pond with her horn to store the excess water and this exists even today. The water from this is used for ablutions of the lord. One day on her way here she was intercepted by a tiger at nearby Vengaivasal. She requested the tiger for time to perform her worship to the lord and then come back to offer herself as food. The tiger agreed and when she came back the turned turned into Lord Shiva and his consort and blessed Kamadhenu, whence she reached Indra’s abode again. Goddess Bragadambal was the family deity of Thondaman Dynasty and she is reputed to bring back lost items to the owners if a request is placed in front of her with a Jaggery offering.

Directions

Thirugokarnam Pudukottai is in the north western side of Pudukottai town and is easily reachable.

Stay and Food

Pudukottai is part of the Chettinad Cuisine area and food in most restaurants is reasonably good.