Sri Kudunkundranathar Temple / Sri Kodunkundreeswar Temple, Piranmalai / Kodunkundram and Sri Thiruthalinathar Temple at Tirupattur, Sivaganga District, Tamil Nadu,

 19, October 2011

The last two temples of  Pandya nadu was covered in this trip on 17th of October 2011. To cover the Paadal Petra Sthalangal darshan at Tirupattur and Kodunkundram ( Piranmalai ). I followed the route given below

Karaikudi - Tirupattur - Singampunari - Piranmalai - Tirupattur - Thirukoshtiyur  ( Bonus this is one of the  108 Divya Desam Perumal temple ) - and back to Karaikudi. Really I had a good darshan. For all these three temples went through buses, of course for getting the bus I have to wait a long time. Other wise it was an wonderful journey.

249 / 5. KODUNKUNDRANATHAR TEMPLE, 

PIRANMALAI ( KODUNKUNDRAM ), கொடுங்குன்றம் ( பிரான்மலை )

This post was updated with Thevara Hymns, Periya Puranam, Architecture, History, Inscriptions, Legends Etc,. For the updated post details please click this link. 

This is the  249th Thevaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 5th Shiva Sthalam of Pandiya Nadu. Nalvar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple. 

 

 ( Second level Rajagopuram )

Base:               Moolavar    : Sri Kodunkundranathar

(Pathalam)       Consort      : Sri Kuilamutha nayagi, Sri Amirtheswari.

Middle :           Moolavar    : Sri Viswanathan

(Boologam)      Consort       : Sri Visalakshi

Top:                 Moolavar    : Sri Mangai bakar, Sri Umamaheswarar

(Kailayam)        Consort      : Sri Thenambigai, Sri Thenambal

Some of the important features of this temple are....

This place is now called as Piranmalai.  Thirugnanasambandar called the Shiva of this temple as  “Embiram” and hence the place latter called as Piranmalai. This is one of the hill shrine after Thiruparankundram in Pandya naadu. The temple is in three stages. Pathalam, Boomi and Kailayam. The Rajagopuram was built at a latter state. 

The outer prakaram of the base temple is similar to Rameswaram temple with long corridor. The Navagrahas are in sitting posture. 

Statue of Pari King who donated his chariot to mullai/ jasmine in this place is in the middle of the hill and during his period the place was called as “Pareesuram”.

There is a separate sannadhi with out dog for Bhairavar  in the middle stage. Artha jama Pooja is special in this temple. 

The upper stage Kailasam temple sanctum sanctorum was built with out separate pillars, known as Rock cut cave / kudaivarai type. Lord Shiva and  Devi Parvati are in Kalyana kolam to give darshan to Agasthiya munivar. There is no Dwajasthambam and Rishabam in front of moolavar sannadhi. 

The Sthala vruksham is Uranga Puli, which leaves do not sleep during night and also there is tree for which the name is not known yet. This temple is also under the control of Kundrakudi Ponnambala Adigalar. 

HOW TO REACH 

Town bus is available from Tirupattur ( Frequency is Limited )

Buses available from Singampunari ( Better than Tirupattur).

Buses from Madurai to Ponnamaravathi passes through this place.

CONTACT DETAILS

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

 ( Mandapam at second level - Sudhai sirpam of Pari vallal who gave his chariot to grow for the mullai creeper )

 ( A second level Bairavar temple )

 ( Top level Temple  A Kudaivarai Kovil )

 ( Second level temple )

 ( Ground level Temple corridor )

 ( Second level Rajagopuram )

(First level Shiva Temple View through Mandapam leading to Second level Temple ) 

250 / 6. SRI THIRUTHALINATHAR TEMPLE, 
TIRUPATTUR  (திருப்பத்தூர்)

This post was up dated with Thevara Hymns, Architecture, History, Inscriptions, Legends etc. For the details of the up dated post please click this link. 

This is the 250th Thevaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 6th Sthalam in Pandiya Nadu. Thirugnanasambandar and appar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple. 

 

 ( Moolavar sannadhi vimanam )

Moolavar    : Sri Srithaleeswarar, Sri Srithalinathar, Sri Thiruthalinathar

Consort      : Sri Sivakami.

Some of the important features of this temple are....

The temple is facing east with a three tier Rajagopuram. Balipeedaam, Rishabam are after the Rajagopuram. Since the place is also called as Srithali / Thiruthali  and Lord Shiva is called as Thiruthalinathar. Another special in this temple is all the Navagrahas are in sitting posture.

ARCHITECTURE

The main temple consists of Sanctum Sanctorum, antarala and Ardha mandapam. The Sabha mandapam kodungai is made of stone similar to Avudayar Kovil. There is a separate sannidhi for Bairavar. Nataraja is made out of stucco. Nataraja dance in this temple is Gowri Thandavam / Lakshmi Thandavam. 

 ( Saba mandapam - Kodungai  similar to Avudayar koil looks beautiful )

 ( Bairavar Temple )

 ( Pillar with kodungais are beautiful )

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The maha mandapam was built by Maruthu Pandyas and latter the Rajagopuram was built. The temple is estimated  to be of more than 1300 years old. The temple is under the control of Kundrakudi Ponnambala Adikal. Protective coatings has been applied to Bairavar Sannathi.

LEGENDS

Lord Shiva  in the form of Bhairavar destroyed the  asuras Anthakasuran and Sambakaasuran. To remove sin Shiva performed pooja in this temple as a Yoga Bairavar with lingam in one hand. No dog for this Bhairavar with a separate beautiful temple / sannadhi. Special Pooja is performed every day ardha jamam.

  

Lord Shiva gave darshan to Valmiki when he  was under dhabas in a putru, hence this place is called  as Tiruputrur and latter changed as Tirupattur.  

Nataraja dance in this temple is Gowri Thandavam / Lakshmi Thandavam. He performed this dance for Devi Lakshmi. 

HOW TO REACH : 

Tirupattur is well connected  to major cities like  Madurai, Karaikudi, Devakottai, Sivagangai etc.

CONTACT DETAILS :

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

 ( Bairavar temple vimanam )

 ( Bairavar Temple )

 ( Ambal Sannadhi Rajagopuram - Normally closed  )

 ( Moolavar Rajagopuram and the name of the entrance is Nambiyandar Nambi Vayil)

( Stucco images on the wall- Normally this type Rishabam with bootha ganam will be at the corner of the wall )

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---