62. KALYANAPURAM

IDAMKONDEESWARAR TEMPLE

Distance: 16kms from Kumbakonam

Shiva: Idamkondeeswarar

Amman: Bruhath Sundhara Gujambigai

Speciality:

This temple is situated in the northern banks of river Cauvery.

The temple and Shiva faces east and Amman faces south.

We find Sage Kasyapa Sannidhi in this temple.

History:

Kasyapa performed penance in this place which was full of greenary. A voice asked him the purpose of his penance. He said he wanted to have the Dharshan of Shiva Parvathi. The voice confirmed that his wish would be fulfilled. Sage Kasyapa wanted to know when this would occur. The voice said that a Shiva linga would appear with the announcement of Shiva and Amman appearance. The Linga appeared on a full moon day in the month of Thai and that Linga is Mahalingaeswarar of Thiruvidaimarudhur. Shiva and Amman appeared in Thirumanakkkolam in Kalyanapuram. Since they appeared in wedding form this place was known as Kalyanapuram.

Idamkondeeswarar was the Previous Mahalingaeswarar. This deity was the original Thiruvidaimarudhur Mahalingaeswarar. When the Linga appeared for the sake of Sag Kashyapa he requested this deity to give him place to stay there. Therefore he came from there to this place and settled here thereby allowing the new Mahalingaeswarar to stay there. As Amman appeared with Lord Shiva for Kasyapa in wedding form the name of the Amman is same in Thiruvidaimarudhur and Kalyanapuram.

Thirunavukkarasar has referred about this temple in his hymns and therefore this is a Vaipu Sthalam.