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 were covered in this trip on the 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 temples) - and back to Karaikudi. Really I had a good darshan. For all these three temples went by bus, of course, to get the bus I had to wait a long time. Other it was a wonderful journey.

249 / 5. KODUNKUNDRANATHAR TEMPLE, 

PIRANMALAI ( KODUNKUNDRAM ), கொடுங்குன்றம் ( பிரான்மலை )

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

This is the  249th Thevaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and the 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 Piranmalai.  Thirugnanasambandar called the Shiva of this temple “Embiram” and hence the place later called Piranmalai. This is one of the hill shrines after Thiruparankundram in Pandya Naadu. The temple is in three stages. Pathalam, Boomi and Kailayam. The Rajagopuram was built in a later stage. 

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

The 

The Stucco image 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 “Pareesuram”.

There is a separate sannadhi without out dog for Bhairavar in the middle stage. Artha jama Pooja is special in this temple. 

The upper stage of Kailasam temple sanctum sanctorum was built without separate pillars, known as Rock cut cave 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 the night and also there is a 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 are available from Singampunari ( Better than Tirupattur).

Buses from Madurai to Ponnamaravathi pass through this place.

CONTACT DETAILS

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

 ( Mandapam at the second level - Sudhai image 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 updated with Thevara Hymns, Architecture, History, Inscriptions, Legends, etc. For the details of the updated post please click this link. 

This is the 250th Thevaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 6th Sthalam in Pandiya Nadu. Thirugnanasambandar and appar have 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 faces east with a three-tier Rajagopuram. Balipeedaam and Rishabam are after the Rajagopuram. The place is also called Srithali / Thiruthali and Lord Shiva is called 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 )

 (Pillars with Kodungais are beautiful )

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The Maha Mandapam was built by Maruthu Pandyas and later the Rajagopuram was built. The temple is estimated to be more than 1300 years old. The temple is under the control of Kundrakudi Ponnambala Adikal. Protective coatings have 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 an ant hill, hence this place is called Tiruputrur and later changed to 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 of Rishabam with Bhita Ganas will be at the corner of the wall )

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---