Visited on: 2nd November, 2015
Location
Bhavani is 16 kms away from Erode and about 55 kms away from Selam. The nearest Railway station for Bhavani is Erode. It is on the main Chennai-Trichi-Coimbatore bypass route. Nearest Airport is at Coimbatore which is 100 kms away.
General Information
- Moolavar
- Sri Sangamuganatheswarar /
Sri Sangameswarar - Ambal
- Sri Vedhanayaki / Sri Sangameswari
- Theertham (Holy water)
- Cauvery, Bhawani, Surya, Deva and Gayatri Theertham
- Sthala Vriksham (Sacred Tree)
- Ilanthai (Jujuba Tree)
- Pathigam (Hymn) rendered by
- Saint Thirugnanasambanthar
- This is one of the 276 Devara Padal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 3rd Sthalam in Kongu Nadu.
- Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested).
- The town, the Goddess of this temple and the nearby river all have the same name - Bhavani.
- Bhavani is mentioned in the Hymns as Thiru Nana whereas it is now called Kooduthurai by the locals.
- The temple was built at the confluence of rivers Cauvery, Bhavani and ‘Amutha Nathi’, an invisible underground water source. So the Lord Shiva here is called as Sri Sangameswarar (Sangamam meaning confluence).
- The temple is situated at the foothill of Padma Giri and is surrounded by four hills - Naga Giri, Veda Giri, Mangala Giri and Sanga Giri.
- The temple has a beautiful five-tiered main tower (Rajagopuram) with two corridors.
History of the Temple
Bhavani Sangameshwarar temple is an ancient one, having been built by the first Pallava King, Mahendra Verman. The bird’s eye view of this temple shows it as an island surrounded by the two rivers.




It is also said that a British dignitary by the name of William Garo donated a swing / cradle (Oonjal) made of ivory after he miraculously escaped from the collapse of his Rest house in the year 1802. He felt that he was saved by the Goddess herself and became an ardent devotee after this incident. His signature can be seen on the frame of the cradle.
Legend
The legend is that Kuberan, the lord of wealth was visiting various Shiva temples when he saw an Ilandhai tree on the banks of Cauvery. He was astonished to see that a deer, a tiger, a cow, an elephant, a snake and a rat were drinking water without any sign of enmity. He felt that the peace and prosperity of this place could be due to the worship and penance performed by the holy men (Gandharvas) who inhabited this place.
It is believed that Kuberan heard a voice from the sky saying that this was the place where the Vedas had originated and that he would find a Shivalingam beneath the Ilandhai tree. He was also advised to worship the Shivalingam to seek the Lord’s blessings. Kuberan worshiped the Lord and was blessed with a darshan. The tree is still there and bears a lot of fruits.
Another legend associated with this place is that Sage Vishwamithrar is said to have installed another lingam on the banks of the river and worshipped it by chanting the Gayathri Mantram. Hence this lingam is called “Gayathri Lingam”.
Deities in the temple
At the entrance, shrines of Kottai Vinayagar on the left and Kottai Anjaneyar on the right can be seen. Inside the main tower, shrines of Raja Ganapathi and Lord Muthukumaraswamy (Murugan) are present.
Shrines of Lord Vinayakar, Lord Murugan and his consorts, Goddess Gajalakshmi, 63 Nayanmars, Jurahareshwarar (in dancing posture), "Pancha Bhootha" Lingams, Kasi Viswanathar, Goddess Visalakshi, Amirthalingam, and Jeshtadevi can be seen in the corridors.
Separate shrines for Lord Adhikesava Perumal, Goddess Soundaranayaki and Yoga Narasimhar are also present in this temple.
Salient Features
Bhavani is a famous Sthalam for performing rituals to satiate one’s ancestors. Here Parikarams are also conducted for all dhoshams, including Nagadhosham.
During Adi Perukku day, large number of devotees can be seen taking a dip at the junction of rivers Cauvery and Bhavani.
Daily Komadha Pooja (Cow pooja) is performed in this temple for the welfare of the populace. Cows are revered in Hindu mythology because every body part of a cow is attributed to a separate Hindu gods or goddesses.
Saint Arunagirinathar in his Thirupugazh praised lord Murugan of this temple.
Lord Dakshinamoorthy’s shrine is beautifully architected with intricate reliefs and iconographical sculptures.
The procession idols of all the 63 Nayanmars are beautifully arranged on a few steps (displayed like a “Navratri Golu”). Surprisingly, Thirumuruga Kripananda Vaariyaar also finds his place as the 64th Nayanmar.
There are two identical stone statues in front of the Ambal shrine. When water or milk is poured on them, it looks as if one of the idols is smiling while the other is shedding a tear. This exemplifies the artistic excellence of the era.
Greatness of this temple
It is believed that those who take a dip at the confluence spot of rivers Cauvery and Bhavani during the Solar and Lunar Eclipse can attain moksham (salvation).
It is also believed that worshiping the Amirtha Lingam in this temple can grant the boon of childbirth to couples.




Important Festivals
The thirteen-day long Car festival (Ther) in the Tamil month of Chithirai (April-May) is the most famous festival celebrated in this temple. It attracts lakhs of devotees from across of the country. Pradosham Pooja is conducted grandly.
The 18th day of Tamil month Aadi (July-August) is called “Adiperukku” and it attracts large number of devotees who perform poojas on the river banks.
Taking a dip in the river and performing rites during Amavasyas, especially Thai Amavasya and eclipse days are traditionally followed in this temple.
Temple Timings
From 05:30 AM to 01:00 PM and from 04:00 PM to 09:00 PM.
Temple Address
Sri Arulmigu Sangameswarar Temple,
Bhavani Kudal,
Bhavani - 638 301,
Erode District.
Tele: (04256) - 230192.


