55. KATHIRINATHAM

KALAHASTHEESWARAR TEMPLE

Distance: 10kms from Thanjavur

Shiva: Kalahastheeswarar

Amman: Gnanambigai

Speciality:

This temple was built by Raja Raja I in the way his father wanted the temple to be built.

The Shiva is 7ft tall and the Avudaiyar 15ft broad in a gigantic form.

This temple was built by the Cholas with bricks.

In the 18th Century the Marathis renovated the temple.

This temple is worshipped as Then Kalahasthi.

The Amman Gnanambigai Shrine is to the left of the Kalahastheeswarar Shrine.

There is no Dwajasthambam and Rajagopuram in the temple.

Normally in Shiva temples we find Vinayaka in the Front mandapam. Here we find the Naga Sannidhi instead of Vinayaka.

In this temple Dakshinamurthy holds a snake in his hand. This is a rare appearance.

There is Arthanareeswarar Sannidhi instead of Lingothbava.

The temple has been constructed in the form of 'OM'.

The Bhairavar is facing south. This Bhairavar is meant to listen to the problems of the devotees and relieving them. 

This temple is also referred as Saptha Rishi Natham or Kalahasthiri Natham or Then Kalahasthi.

In this temple Navagrahas the Surya faces west (normally Suryan faces east) and Chandran faces east. 

Arthanareeswarar is worshipped for unity to prevail in the family and Kala Bhairavar is being worshipped to maintain good health.

The temple has 1 prahara.

There is a pond in front of the temple.

Raja Raja Chola divided Chola Mandala into sub divisions called Valanadu. Each Valanadu consisted of many Kootram and Nadu. One among these is Singa Vala Nadu. Kulichapattu, Kathirinatham, Thalavaipalayam, Marungai were villages under Singa Vala Nadu. The functions of the temples of these villages were connected with the Punnainallur Mariyamman temple.

The deities such as Vinayaka, Subramanya, Shiva, Amman, Kailasa Dhakshinamurthy, Chandikeswarar, Kala Bhairavar and Nandhi are the wonderful sculptures of Raja Raja Cholas.

Later the temple was renovated by the Marathas of Thanjavur in the 18th Century CE.

In the front Mandapa there are inscriptions of the Maratha king Dhukkoji - 1 Thulaja. This inscription was carved on 28 November 1752 Tuesday.

Raya Manya Dhukkoji, a king of Marathas, has donated Lands to Kalahastheeswarar of Saptha Rishi Natham. These details have been specified in the inscriptions of the temple.

Many other inscriptions have been carved about the donations to the temple by different Kings.

This temple gives remedy for Rahu kethu Dhosha.

History:

The sages Marichi, Athri, Pulasthiyar, Brihu, Aangeerasar, Vasishtar and Barathwajar were cursed and they went to different places for Vimochana (getting relieved). Finally they came to a Iluppai forest near a Punnai forest. The curse was intensified and they were affected by leprosy and they could not travel any more. They repented for their condition. They found a Kalahastheeswarar temple. They bathed in the pond outside the temple and performed pooja to Lord Shiva for 48 days. Kalahastheeswarar was convinced and he appeared before them and relieved them from their sins. They came back to their normal form. Since the 7 Sages stayed and worshipped here the place was called Saptha Rishi Natham in ancient days. Since the name of the Lord is Kalahastheeswarar the place was also called Kalahasthirinatham which is now called as Kathirinatham. 

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