Thirukoteeswarar Temple

🛕 Lord Shiva | 📍 Thirukodikaval, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu

Temple Tags: Ancient Temple Chola Temple Famous Temple Nayanmar Temple Paadal Petra Sthalam South India Temple Tevaram Temple

✔ Verified by Mandirvaas

⏰ Darshan

Morning: 07:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Evening: 04:30 PM – 08:30 PM

📅 Best Time to Visit

October to March is generally comfortable for temple visits. For devotees interested in festivals, Maha Shivaratri, Thirukarthikai, Thiruvathirai and Pradosham are particularly significant periods, though festival days can be crowded.

📸 Photography

Not Allowed

🔱 Temple Significance

Thirukoteeswarar Temple is an ancient Shiva temple at Thirukodikaval in Thanjavur district. Lord Shiva is worshipped as Thirukoteeswarar, with Goddess Vadivambigai. The temple is a Paadal Petra Sthalam, praised by the Nayanmar saints Appar and Thirugnana Sambandar. It is situated on the northern bank of the Cauvery and is noted for its Chola-period art and architecture. The temple also has separate shrines for Vinayaga, Muruga, Gajalakshmi, Saptha Kanniyar, Bhairava, Surya, Chandra, Sani, Yama, Chitragupta, Durvasa and Nataraja.

🏛 Temple History

The earliest inscriptions of the temple date to around 750 AD, during the reign of Pallava king Nandivarman. The present structure is traditionally attributed to Sembiyan Mahadevi, mother of Uttama Chola, around 979 AD. An inscription from the period of Gandaraditya Chola records a land donation for supplying water from the Cauvery to the temple. The temple therefore preserves important Pallava and Chola-period historical evidence.

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Daily Poojas

Regular temple worship schedule

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No daily poojas available.

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Special Rituals

Sacred offerings and temple rituals

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No special rituals available currently.

🎉 Temple Festivals

No festivals available.

🔔 Darshan Timings & Rules

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Dress Code

Modest and traditional clothing is recommended.

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Photography

Not allowed

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Prasad

Available

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Prasad Details

Temple prasadam/naivedyam is available according to temple arrangements and worship schedules.

🧭 Pilgrim Travel Tips

Plan your visit according to the morning and evening opening sessions.
Spend time at the main shrine of Thirukoteeswarar and Vadivambigai.
This is a Paadal Petra Sthalam, so devotees interested in Tevaram traditions should not miss the temple.
Observe the ancient Chola-style sculptures and architectural details.
The temple has numerous important subsidiary shrines including Surya, Chandra, Sani, Yama and Chitragupta.
The temple is located on the northern bank of the Cauvery River.
Sringa Theertham and the Cauvery are important sacred water features associated with the temple.
Traditional accounts associate the temple with worship by numerous devas and sages.
Sun worship is traditionally associated with the temple, and local accounts mention sunlight falling on the Moolavar during specific days in the Tamil month of Aadi.
Important observances include Vinayagar Chaturthi, Navaratri, Skanda Sashti, Annabhishekam, Thirukarthikai, Thiruvathirai, Makar Sankranti and Maha Shivaratri.
Pradosham is also observed as an important Shiva worship day.
The temple can be combined with nearby Suryanar Kovil, Thiruppanandal and Thiruvidaimarudur during a Kumbakonam-region temple trip.
Carry drinking water because several nearby temples may be covered on the same trip.
Senior citizens may prefer the morning session for a more comfortable visit.
During festival days, allow extra time for darshan and parking.
Maintain silence and temple cleanliness, and follow local instructions regarding photography and shrine access.