Thirugokarnam Temple – Pudukkottai

Thirugokarnam, popularly known as the Kokarneswarar Temple, is located in the heart of Pudukkottai city in Tamil Nadu. The presiding deity of the temple is Lord Shiva, worshipped here as Gokarneeswarar, while Goddess Parvathi is revered as Bragadambal. This ancient rock-cut temple dates back to the 7th century AD and stands as one of the oldest surviving temples in South India. Pallava king Mahendravarma built the original structure, and later, the Pandyas, Cholas, and Thondaman dynasty rulers contributed to its expansion and preservation over different periods.

Legend Behind the Kokarneswarar Temple

The name Gokarneswarar means “Lord of the cow’s ear.” According to temple legend, Kamadhenu, the sacred divine cow, once incurred the wrath of Lord Indra and received a curse. Seeking redemption, she began worshipping Lord Shiva at this sacred site. Kamadhenu performed abhishekam to Lord Shiva using holy water from the River Ganges, which she carried in her ears. One day, while returning with Ganga water, a fierce tiger confronted her and intended to kill her. However, Kamadhenu pleaded for mercy and promised to return after completing the abhishekam.

True to her word, Kamadhenu returned to the spot after performing the ritual. At that moment, the tiger transformed into Lord Shiva accompanied by Goddess Parvathi. Pleased with her devotion and sincerity, they blessed Kamadhenu, granting her salvation. After receiving their divine grace, she returned to heaven.

More Facts about the Kokarneswarar Temple

• The sanctum sanctorum of the temple is rock cut which hosts the chief deity of the temple Lord Gokarneeswarar in Lingam form.
• Another main deity of the temple is Lord Vakulaveneswarar or the Lord of Vakula tree.
• The Goddess Bragathambal shrine is east facing and is relatively a recent one.
• Just before entering Lord Gokarneswarar’s shrine, to the left is the images of the Saptha Kannigal (the seven virgins in the world).
• The entrance of the temple has Lord Ganesha as is customary for every Hindu temple, after which follows a long corridor that is decked with carved pillars and sculptures.
• The pradakshina veranda (circumambulation path) has idols of 63 Nayanmars and shrines of Maha Gnapathi, Rishaba Rudra and Kasi Lingam.
• The temple has an upper tier that houses shrines of Lord Subramanya, Goddess Durga, Lakshmi, Saraswathi, Annapurani, Rudraksha Lingam, Brahma, Bhairava, Surya and Nalvars (Gnanasambandar, Thirunavukkarasar, Sundarar and Manickavasagar).

Thirugokarnam Temple Timings

The temple is open for devotees from 6:00 AM to 11:00 PM in the morning
and from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM in the evening.

Thirugokarnam Temple Festivals

The major festivals observed in the temple include-

• Thai Poosam – in the Tamil month of Thai (January-February)
• 10 day Chithirai Festival – in the Tamil month of Chithirai (April-May)
• 11 day Aadi Pooram Festival – in the Tamil month of Aadi (July-August)
• Vinayakar Chaturthi – in the Tamil month of Aavani (August-September)
• 10 day Navarathri Festival – in the Tamil month of Purattasi
  (September-October)
• Skanda Shasti Festival- in the Tamil month of Aippasi
  (October-November)
• Karthigai Deepam Festival – in the Tamil month of Karthigai
  (November-December)

How to reach Thirugokarnam Temple

The temple is located at the heart of Pudukkottai town that is well connected by road to major cities in Tamil Nadu. The nearest railway station is at Pudukottai (3 kilometres away). The nearest airport is at Trichy (around 45 kilometres away).