Magudeswarar Temple, Kodumudi
Shiva as Magudeswarar (Kodumudinathar) temple · Kodumudi, Erode, Tamil Nadu, India
The Magudeswarar Temple at Kodumudi, in Erode district of Tamil Nadu, is a large Shiva temple on the bank of the Kaveri river. Shiva is worshipped here as Magudeswarar, also called Kodumudinathar, and the Goddess as Soundaranayaki, also known as Vadivudainayaki and Panmozhi Nayaki. The old name of the place, Tiruppandikodumudi, is still used for the temple.
The Erode district administration describes it as a rare 'Trimurti sthalam', because Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma are all worshipped within the same complex. It is one of the Paadal Petra Sthalams, the Shiva temples praised in the Tevaram hymns of Sambandar, Appar and Sundarar.
Faith & Tradition
Religious Significance of Magudeswarar Temple, Kodumudi
The temple is counted among the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams. According to Dinamalar, it is the sixth of the Kongu region temples praised in the Tevaram, and Sundarar sang of Shiva here as a friend. Wikipedia adds that Sundarar composed his Namachivaya padigam at Kodumudi.
The complex holds separate shrines for the three gods. Vishnu is worshipped as Veeranarayana Perumal, with a shrine for his consort Thirumangai Nachiyar. Brahma is shown with three faces under the ancient vanni tree, which, according to Dinamalar and the Tamil Nadu temples project, devotees regard as his fourth face. Dinamalar also notes a rare image of Vyaghrapada Vinayaka, an elephant-faced Ganesha with tiger's feet, carved on a pillar in the Perumal shrine.
The Kaveri is central to worship here. Dinamalar records that pilgrims carrying water pots (theertha kavadi) to Palani for Panguni Uthiram collect Kaveri water at Kodumudi and add a leaf of the temple's vanni tree to it. Dinamalar also says ancestral rites (tarpanam) are performed in the river on new-moon days.
Heritage
History of Magudeswarar Temple, Kodumudi
According to the legend given by the Erode district administration, the serpent Adisesha and the wind god Vayu held a contest of strength, and the peak (magudam) of Mount Meru broke and scattered. The diamond portion fell at Kodumudi, giving the Lord the name Magudeswarar and the town its name. Wikipedia and Dinamalar give the same story, with other pieces believed to have fallen at Tiruvannamalai, Eengoimalai and other hills.
A second legend links the temple with the sage Agastya. The district administration says that when the self-manifested linga seemed to vanish, Agastya held it firmly, and devotees believe his finger marks are still visible on it. Dinamalar adds that Agastya and Bharadwaja are believed to have witnessed Shiva's wedding here.
The Pandya kings were among the temple's patrons, according to the district administration, which says they gave land, jewellery and other endowments recorded in inscriptions. Wikipedia names donors including Maravarman Sundara Pandya and records epigraphs from the time of a Sundara Pandya king, and says the Pandya connection gave the place the name Tiruppandikodumudi.
Architecture and sacred features
Wikipedia describes the east-facing complex as about 640 feet long and 484 feet wide, with three entrances on the east side. The entrance to the Shiva shrine lies north of the central gate and the entrance to the Goddess's shrine lies south of it. Images on Wikimedia Commons, linked from the article, show separate gateway towers for the Shiva, Goddess and Veeranarayana Perumal shrines. Other shrines in the complex include those of Hanuman, Saturn (Shani), and the Sun and Moon. Dinamalar describes the Hanuman image as carrying the Sanjeevi hill, with a bell tied to his tail.
Plan Your Visit
Darshan and Visitor Information
The temple is busiest at the Chithirai festival, on Aadi Perukku and on new-moon days, when many pilgrims also bathe in the Kaveri and perform rites on the riverbank. Take care at the river, whose flow varies with the season. Confirm current timings and festival dates with the temple administration before visiting.
Timings and arrangements change with seasons and festivals. Confirm current details with the temple administration before travelling. Last reviewed 1 November 2026.
Sacred Calendar
Festivals at Magudeswarar Temple, Kodumudi
Chithirai Brahmotsavam
The main annual festival, which Dinamalar says lasts 11 days.
Aadi Perukku
Devotees gather in very large numbers at the Kaveri; Wikipedia records lighted lamps being set afloat on the river.
Panguni Uthiram
Pilgrims bound for Palani collect Kaveri water here for their theertha kavadi.
Maha Shivaratri and Pradosham
Listed by the Erode district administration among the temple's major observances.
Location
How to Reach Magudeswarar Temple, Kodumudi
Kodumudi is on the Erode–Karur road. The Erode district administration gives the temple as about 40 km from Erode, about 115 km from Coimbatore, and about 1 km from both the Kodumudi bus stand and Kodumudi railway station, which is on the Erode–Tiruchirappalli line. Dinamalar gives Tiruchirappalli as the nearest airport and notes frequent buses from Erode and Karur.
Location: Kodumudi, Erode, Tamil Nadu, India
Nearest airport: Tiruchirappalli (per Dinamalar)
Nearest railway station: Kodumudi (about 1 km, per the Erode district administration)
More in Hindu temples in Tamil Nadu · Shiva as Magudeswarar (Kodumudinathar) temples · Temples in Kodumudi · Temples in Kodumudi Taluk · Temples in Erode District
Questions
Magudeswarar Temple, Kodumudi: Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Kodumudi called a Trimurti temple?
Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma are all worshipped in the same complex, with Shiva as Magudeswarar, Vishnu as Veeranarayana Perumal and Brahma under the vanni tree.
What is the legend of the name Magudeswarar?
According to legend, in a contest between Adisesha and Vayu, the peak (magudam) of Mount Meru broke and its diamond portion fell at Kodumudi, so the Lord is called Magudeswarar.
Is Kodumudi a Paadal Petra Sthalam?
Yes. It is one of the 275 Shiva temples praised in the Tevaram, sung by Sambandar, Appar and Sundarar, and is in the Kongu Nadu group.
What is the link between Kodumudi and Palani?
Pilgrims carrying theertha kavadi to Palani for Panguni Uthiram collect Kaveri water at Kodumudi and add a vanni leaf from the temple to it.
How do I reach Kodumudi Magudeswarar Temple?
It is about 40 km from Erode on the Erode–Karur road and about 1 km from Kodumudi railway station and bus stand. Tiruchirappalli is the nearest airport.
What are the main festivals?
The Chithirai Brahmotsavam, Aadi Perukku, Panguni Uthiram, Maha Shivaratri and Pradosham.
Sources and attribution
- District Administration, Erode (Government of Tamil Nadu) — Religious Tourism – Magudeswarar Temple, Kodumudi
- Dinamalar (Temples) — Sri Magudeswarar Temple, Kodumudi
- Wikipedia — Kodumudi Magudeswarar Temple
- Tamil Nadu Temples Project (tntemplesproject.in) — Magudeswarar, Kodumudi, Erode
Further reading: Magudeswarar Temple, Kodumudi on Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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