Kumarakottam Temple

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Kumarakottam temple
Subramaniya swāmi temple
Pallava)
Completedrebuilt 1915 CE.
Website
kumarakottammurugantemple.tnhrce.in

The Kumara kottam Temple is a

Murugan, the Hindu war god and the son of the gods Shiva and his mother Pārvathi. The temple is also known as the Subramaniya Swāmi temple. The ancient temple was rebuilt in its present form in 1915 CE. The temple is one of the 21 major temples in Kānchipuram and is an important pilgrimage centre.[1] Saint Aruna giri nādhar has sung hymns in praise of the Murugan icon of this temple.[2]

Location

Kāmākshi, an aspect of Pārvathi. Symbolically, this setting represents the iconography of Somāskandha, an aspect of Shiva where he is depicted with Murugan and Pārvathi. The child Murugan is depicted seated between his parents. This representation led to the cult of Somāskandha.[5] All temples in Kānchipuram are stated to be dedicated to one extended family of gods.[4]

Religious significance

The temple legend in the

aniconic symbol of Shiva), which subsequently was worshipped by the name of Devasenāpathīsar, literally, the Lord who was worshipped by Devasenāpathi (an epithet of Murugan as the commander-in-chief of the gods).[5] In another version it is said that the penitent Brahmā is said to have been released by Shiva after he worshipped Murugan after learning his lessons in humility.[3]

Features

Dwaja sthamba
 (Flagpost) of the Kumarakottam Temple
Side view of the Kumarakottam Temple

The temple was rebuilt during 1915.

pilasters with epigraphs decorate the walls of the temple.[7]
The temple has two
circumambulatory passages) and many parivāra devatās (family deities) are installed in subshrines around it.[2]

The central image of Murugan is uniquely depicted as Brahma-Shāstā, holding a kamandalu (water pot) and prayer beads of Rudrāksha.[5]

The linga worshipped by Murugan is deified in a separate shrine within the temple complex and is called Devasenāpathīsar or Senāpathi Ishvara.[8]

Kandha Purānam

Mantapam (Hall) in the Kumarakottam Temple complex where the epic Kandha Purānam was released

Kacchiyappar (Kacchiyappa Shiva āchāriyār), a Tamil scholar, was a priest in the Kumara kottam temple. He composed the text Kandha Purānam. The hall, the Kandhapurāna Arangetra Mantapam (An outdoor pavilion) where Kacchiyappar composed the text still exists in the temple complex. Peacocks flock the premises even now.[5] Kacchiyappar wrote the epic in six cantos, comprising 10,346 stanzas. It is believed that the first line of the first stanza was written by Kacchiyappar's patron deity, Murugan himself. The god is also believed to have corrected the 100 stanzas written by the priest during the day.[9] The poet took his composition to the god and rehearsed it.[10] Even now the priests in the temple are the descendants of Kacchiyappar.[2]

Festivals

A popular festival held here is

Hindu Calendar) festival is held in the temple when very large number of devotees offer prayers to the deity.[2] Each temple in Kānchipuram celebrates the Brahmā festival, as Brahmotsavam, when processions of gods are held in the morning and evening hours.[11]

References

  1. ^ Knapp 2009, p. 305.
  2. ^ a b c d "Temples in Kānchi Near Srimatam". Kamakoti organization. Retrieved 22 August 2013.
  3. ^ a b Rao2001, p. 56.
  4. ^ a b c Michell 1993, p. 30.
  5. ^ a b c d e Rao 2008, p. 109-110.
  6. ISBN 978-93-83440-34-4
    .
  7. ^ Rao2001, p. 55.
  8. ^ Rao 2008, p. 159.
  9. ^ Pillai 1904, p. 107.
  10. ^ Spuler 1975, p. 222.
  11. ^ Michell 1993, p. 36.

Bibliography

Nearest Hindu Temple

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kumarakottam Temple.
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