Arulmigu Kutralanathar Temple, Thirukutralam / Courtallam, Sri Kasi Viswanathar Temple, at Tenkasi & Sri Nellaiappar Temple at Tirunelveli, Tirunelveli and Tenkasi Districts, Tamil Nadu.

 27, October 2013.  

This weekend's temple visit was to  Kutralam and Tirunelveli on 26-10-2013. This visit was planned two months before and booked the train tickets on both ways travel. During this visit, I didn’t stay anywhere. My plan was to start from Chennai Egmore to Tenkasi through Pothigai Express and return to Chennai From Tirunelveli after visiting Kutralanathar's temple at Kutralam and Nellaiappar Temple at Tirunelveli on the same day. So both nights were spent on the train itself. Also Planned to visit Sivasailam Shiva temple. I could not make it for want of time, since I had to take a diversion from Tenkasi via Alwarkurichi and the frequency of public transport was limited.  This time’s temple visit was a thrilling experience, starting from my residence.  

A thrilling experience to catch the train Podhigai super fast express at Chennai Egmore, The story goes like this….…

After the close of work at the office, I reached home around 17.30 hrs on 25-10-2013 and thought of starting from home around 18.30 hrs to catch the train  Pothigai Express at Egmore which was scheduled to depart at 20.10 Hrs, calculating the  EMU journey time of 30 to 35 minutes from Guindy to Egmore. But Lord Shiva’s calculation was on the reverse. There was an intuition in me to start a little earlier. So Started from home around 17.50 Hrs and reached Guindy railway station around 18.30 Hrs, after leaving my motorcycle at my old office SPIC House. There was a huge rush at Guindy railway station and I did not know what for. The 18.30 hrs Electric train arrived at 18.49 hrs and moved slowly up to Saidapet.  The train stopped for more than a minute, which was unusual.

The same thing happened at Mambalam also. After Mambalam the train stopped before Kodambakkam station and people were saying that there might be a problem with the signal. The time was 19.15 Hrs and there was no sign of starting. After 15 minutes the train started once again and reached Kodambakkam station. Also, I had seen the 18.49 hrs train from Guindy overtook us on the other track and stopped at Kodambakkam station. At the station, it was announced that the train to the beach was stopped due to the derailment of a goods train near the beach station will be announced later about starting. Already the time was 19.30 Hrs, and my blood pressure was shooting up. Decided to get down and go to Egmore through an Auto.

Outside Kodambakkam station many people were asking for an auto to go to Egmore and Central. Since it was a two-day holiday many IT people were traveling to their native. Many autos refused to ply to Egmore or Central. After walking away from the station an auto agreed to drop me at Egmore and the Auto driver pacified me ( to sit calmly in the back seat ) that he would reach the station before the train’s departure. Lost the hope of catching the Pothigai Express around 18.50 Hrs when I was still travelling in the auto in Nungambakkam area. Every time the Auto stopped for the Signal my blood pressure started shooting up.  Started chanting of Thiruvasakam to reduce my tension. Also, there was a diversion for about 2 km by the traffic police, which tested my patience.

After crossing the hurdles and hoping the train would start at least 10 minutes late landed at Egmore railway station exactly by 20.05 Hrs. The auto charged me Rs 109 per meter and I gave Rs 120 & thanked the driver for dropping me safely at the station.   Inquired the porters about the platform and told me the train was on platform no 8 and it may start at any time. Hurried with a walk & run boarded the train at 20.07 Hrs after climbing up the foot over the bridge and climbing down to the platform. The train was on the 9^th platform and not on the 8^th, luckily 8^th and 9^th platforms are adjacent. Searched my coach and sat down on my seat and the train started moving exactly by 20.10 Hrs. Confirmed with the co-passengers whether I boarded the correct train or not, by asking when the train would reach Tenkasi, and if the answer was negative thought of getting down at Tambaram. Since the answer was positive I was relaxed.   My breath came to normal after 10 minutes.

( The goods train derailment news I came to know during my auto travel and in detail in the Hindu on 27-10 2013. Many people who traveled along with me to EMU might have missed their train and their total plan might have been spoiled).

The Pothigai express reached Tenkasi around  8.45 Hrs on 26-10-2013, late by an hour. Reached the old bus stand to catch a bus to Kutralam Auto, which charged me Rs 40.00. The bus to Kutralam was limited during non-seasonal times. After reaching Kutralam, searched to take a bath at any of the lodges.  They suggested I go to Main Falls where a locker facility is available. The locker at the main falls charged Rs 20 for an hour and had a nice bath. Since it was a nonseason there was not much crowd. There was also moderate water from the falls. Many Shiva Lingam reliefs are chiseled on the rock, which many people may not be aware of, who visit Kutralam only during the season.  Changed my dress and went to Sri Kutralanathar temple which is about 25 meters from the main falls.

Coutralam main falls - view during non-season - no crowd.

 Shiva Lingas reliefs chiseled on the rock - see  the water falling from avudayar

Water is falling on Lord Shiva 

257 / 13. ARULMIGU KUTRALANATHAR TEMPLE, KUTRALAM / COURTRALLAM

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

This is the 257^th Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and the 13^th Shiva Sthalam in Pandiya Nadu. Thirugnanasambandar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.

A small Rajagopuram with stucco images.

Moolavar  : Arulmigu Kutralanathar, Sri Kurumbalaeesar,

  Sri Thirikoodachalapathy, Sri Thirikoodaleswarar.

  Arulmigu Courtrallanathar Swamy Temple

Consort    : Sri Kuzhalvai Mozhiammai , Sri Venuvaakkuvahini.

Some of the important features of this temple are….

After entering through a 3-tier Rajagopuram there is a big mandapam called vasantha mandapam. The rajagopuram has a lot of cute stucco images with 3 kalasas on the top. The temple is in the shape of a conch (Sangu).In koshtam Dakshinamurthy (not in the niche), Mahavishnu is in place of Lingothbavar. In the artha mandapam Urchavars and Natarajar Saba. The Moolavar is small.

In the inner prakaram sannadhi for, Kumbha Muni, Brahma, Sabtha mathakkal, Suradevar, Ayyanar, Brahmi, Thurayanar, Mahavishnu, Narasimhar, Kanni Vinayagar, Chandran, Vanmeki Nathar, Jambukeswarar, Annamalaiyar, Kalathiappar, Thirumoola nathar (Very small moortham), Ramalingar, Subramaniyar, Chandikeswarar, Saneeswarar and Suryan.

In the outer praharam sannadhi for Ambal with a Nandhi in front (a separate Koil with steps – Kailasanathar and Durgai are in the Ambal temple’s praharam ) on the right side of moolavar sannadhi, Kurumbala Nathar (from here we could hear the sound of main falls), 63var, Nannagara Perumal, Paabanasar with Ulagamman, Nellaiappar with Gandhimathi, Manakolanathar, Narambu Nathar, Sankaralingam, Palvannanathar, Chokkalingam with Meenakshi, Dharmasastha, Mathunatheswarar with Aramvalarthamman, Agasthiyar, Vasuki, Somalingam, Maha Lingam, Sahasralinga, Kasi Viswanathar with Visalakshi, Shivalaya Munivar ( 2 steps below the ground level ), Parasakthi Peedam and Navagrahas. Near one of the sannadhi on the south side, the top of the main falls is visible.

Then comes the  mandapam with Dwajasthambam, Rishabam/Idabam and Balipeedam. In the mandapa pillars Chinna Pattar and Periya Pattar king's reliefs on the pillars who had built this temple.  

This temple has two parts. One is this temple and the other is Chitra Sabha which is about ½ a KM from the main temple. The temple is 2000 years old and there are a lot of old Tamil inscriptions on the praharam walls.

Pattinathar, Manickavasagar, and Arunagirinathar have sung hymns about this temple. It was believed that the sage Agathiyar had transformed the Shiva Lingam from  Thirumal Murti. Moolavar is small.

HOW TO REACH:

The place Thenkasi is on the bus and train route to Shenkottai from Tirunelveli, Madurai, Chennai etc.

Pothigai Express passes through Tenkasi.

During the Chaaral season, many town Buses and minibusses are available to Kutralam from Tenkasi, but the frequency is less during the nonseason.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple is open between 06.00 Hrs to 12.00 Hrs and 16.30 Hrs to 20.00 Hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS:

The phone numbers of the temple are 283318 and 283398 and the mobile number is 9488374077.

Website: http://www.courtrallanathar.tnhrce.in/

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

 Saptamatrikas

 Old Tamil inscriptions can be seen on the walls

  Chandikeswarar

 Ambal Temple Vimanam

After the peaceful darshan of Sri Kutralanathar, had went to Chitra Sabai, which is about ½ a km from the main temple after climbing steps to a distance of 50 meters. The Sabha was open to the public and the entrance fee was Rs 10. The caretaker did not allow me to take photographs. After my repeated requests he allowed me to take only the dwarapalakar on the right side.

CHITRA SABHA:

Some of the features of this sabai are….

There is a mandapam with a Gopuram at the center of the Temple tank in front. There are no pictures in front mandapam of 

Chitra sabai.

Learned that the Chitrams were drawn using natural herbs. The Sabai is in the form of a temple with Copper copper-plated roof with 8 kalasas on the top.

Some of the chitrams/drawings are Shiva’s Urdhva thandavam, Kaali, Murugan, Shiva with Parvati, Soorapadman, Singamugan, Thaaragan, Manmadhan, Rathi, Gajendra moksham, Shiva’s Thiruvilayadal, Shiva and Parvati's marriage, 63var, Bhairavar, Saneeswarar, Hiraniya’s samharam, Kutralanathar who gave darshan to Agasthiyar,  etc. Wooden reliefs / Sculptures of Vinayagars can also be seen.

 Thirukkulam with neerazhi mandapam

Entrance of the Chitra Sabai

Dwarapalakar chitram

After darshan at Chitra Sabai took a bus to Tenkasi. From a distance, I could see the magnificent view of the Rajagopuram standing tall and calling me. Got off the bus before the bus stand. When I entered through the Rajagopuram I could feel the heavy flow of the wind. The entrance must be 40 feet high and I had seen the 4 pillars on the side walls without any joint up to the ceiling.

SRI KASI VISWANATHAR TEMPLE, TENKASI

Moolavar    : Sri Kasi Viswanathar

Consort      : Sri Ulagamman

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

The Rajagopuram is of 9-tiers. At the entrance under a mandapam with Balipeedam. The mandapam pillars have large size reliefs / sirpangal of Kaali, Rathi, Shiva’s Thandavam, Mahavishnu ( must be Krishna – since playing the flute ), Manmadhan, Agora Veerabhadra. The Rishabam is a little big. In Koshtam Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, and Brahma. Moolavar is in an elevated position and looks so beautiful.

In the inner prakaram sannadhi for, Nalvar, 63var, Suradevar,  Sabtha mathakkal, Kanni Vinayagar, Pancha Lingas, Ayyannar, Chandramouleeswarar, Mahalakshmi, Shanmugar, Gajalakshmi, Saneeswarar, Natarajar ( Stone moortham) and Suryan.

In the outer praharam sannadhi for, Ulagamman, Sri Subramaniar in between moolavar and Ambal sannidhi, Naagars under peepal tree, sannadhi with lamb ( Might be a Lingam inside the flowers ), Sahasra Linga, Parasakthi Peedam similar to Kutralam, Sokkanathar with Meenakshi and  Bhairavar.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The temple has a connection with Uthra kasi in Uttarakhand state. The temple is more than 2000 years old and has a lot of old Pandya period Tamil inscriptions.

The poem inscription on the Rajagopuram records the beauty of Tenkasi and those who take care of this town along with their relatives, might have been blessed by Thirumagal. Also will be praised with due respect by the King of Korkai Parakrama Pandya. The original poem inscription reads as… ( Thanks to Kudavayil Balasubramanian )

" பூந்தண் பொழில்புடை சூழ்ந்தென் காசியைப் பூதலத்தில்

தாந்தங் கிளையுட னேபுரப் பார்கள்செந் தாமரையாள்

காந்தன் பராக்கிரமக் கைதவன் மான கவசன்கொற்கை

வேந்தன் பணிபவ ராகியெந் நாளும் விளங்குவரே".

The magnificent view of the 9-tier Rajagopuram 

It was around 12.30 Hrs when I came out of Tenkasi Shiva Temple. Had my lunch in one of the messes near the bus stand. Inquired the bus route to Sivasailam. The people suggested going to my next Temple Visit to Sri Nellaiappar since there is no frequency of bus to Alwarkurichi a big place near Sivasailam and the temple will be open only after 16.00 Hrs.  It will become too late to reach Tirunelveli and I will miss the Nellaiappar temple’s visit if I had been to Sivasailam. So skipped Sivasailam and boarded a bus to Tirunelveli.

When I reached Tirunelveli around 14.30 hrs, it was too early. I spent up to 16.00 hrs sitting in front of the temple’s office.

258 / 14. SRI NELLAIAPPAR TEMPLE,  TIRUNELVELI

This post was Updated with Thevara Hymns, History, inscriptions, Architecture, legends etc,. Please click this link for the updated post. 

This is the 258^th Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and the 14^th & last Shiva Sthalam in Pandiya Nadu. Thirugnanasambandar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.

 Rajagopuram on the eastern side 

Moolavar    : Sri Nellaiappar, Sri Venuvananathar, Sri Nelvelinathar

Consort      : Sri  Kanthimathi Amman.

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

The temple faces east with a 7-tier rajagopuram. A wooden mandapam is in front of the Rajagopuram. Moolavar is swayambhu and a scar can be seen on the top due to the sword hitting the moolavar while cutting the bamboo tree. It is believed that the avudayar visible is 21^st and there are 20 avudayar still below the ground level. In koshtam Dakshinamurthy.

The temple has 8 Mandapams and 5 Rajagopuras. The entrance mandapam on the eastern side of Rajagopuram has an old wooden mandapam with a lot of wooden relief works. There are two Durgai Amman sannidhis in this temple. Balipeedam with a size Stucco Rishabam under a mandapam is at the east side entrance. The pillars have beautiful relief works.

The big stucco Rishabam

In the 3^rd outer Paraharam, sannadhi for Naalavar, Subramaniyar, Dakshinamurthy (On the opposite, way to Ambal Kanthimathi Amman Temple), Sankaranainar Swamy, Gomathi Amman Sannadhi, Arumuganainar sannadhi (6 faces and can go around the Moolavar to see the back side of the face), Vinayagar (with stucco Vinayagar on the top) – on the western side, Kasi Viswanathar with Visalakshi, Vayu Lingam, Vanniyadi Sastha, Kala Bhairavar and Navagrahas.

Arumuganayinar Sannadhi

At the entrance of the 2^nd outer praharam on the left,  Murtis of Vedha Pattar, Adhikara Nandikeswarar, and Namasivaya Moorthy.

In the Second outer praharam sannadhi for, Suryan, Naalvar Urchava idols/Murtis, Thiyagaraja sannadhi, 63var in brass, Agasthiyar, Suradevar (with three faces, three hands with thandam, mani and soolam, three legs), Theyu Lingam, Polla Pillayar, 63var  murtis in stone, Somaskandar in the upper level with steps to climb, Vayu Lingam, Vinayagar, Mutrum Kanda Ramakon, Aagasa Lingam, Nellai Murugan with Valli Devasena, Santhana Sabapathy ( sandal paste is applied throughout the year ), Gajalakshmi with Ashta Lakshmi's on both sides, Sani Bhagavan, Sahasralinga, Sabamandapam, and Chandran.

Perumal in Anantha sayana posture is on the left side of the Moolavar (Right side when we stand in front of the Moolavar).

Musical pillars are a special attraction in this temple. Different musical note sounds can be heard when tapped.

 Isai thoonkal ( musical pillars )

HISTORY :

Mutrum Kanda Ramakon was instrumental in finding Lord Shiva’s moortham under the bamboo tree while he carried milk to the king.

This is one of the pancha sabha called Thamira Sabai since the river Thamiraparani flows through the place. The river water contains some amount of metal called Thamiram, hence called a Thamirasabhai.

Many old Pandya Period Tamil inscriptions are found in the temple.

LEGENDS 

The name Tirunelveli came after Lord Shiva put a fence ( veli ) in the rain to protect the paddy meant for Lords Naivedyam/Thiruvamudhu. Vedabattar was behind the story of this temple.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple opens between 07.00 Hrs to 13.00 Hrs and 16.00 Hrs to 21.00 Hrs

HOW TO REACH:

A lot of buses are available from various parts of Tamil  Nadu.

3 KM from Junction and Town buses are available from the old bus stand.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE:  CLICK HERE

 Kandhimathi Amman Sannadhi Rajagopuram

 The relief of a King, who built this temple

 Dakshinamurthy sannadhi 

 West side Rajagopuram

 West side Vinayagar sannadhi

  The corridor looks beautiful, doesn't it?

 Chariot kept at the north side  entrance 

 Shiva and Parvathy relief on the inner praharam wall

 Utsava images are with Stucco images on the back 

 Entrance to the main shrine

  Juradevar with three heads, three hands, and three legs.

Santhana Sabapathy - Santhanam (sandalwood paste is applied throughout the year)

 Some of the relief  in the corridor

SRI KANTHIMATHI AMMAN SANNADHI

Ambal is in a separate temple with a rajagopuram in front. Except at the entrance, there are not many reliefs.

In the inner praharam sannadhi for Kannimoola Ganapathy, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniyar.

Sannadhis in the interconnecting corridors between Lord Shiva and Ambal Temples are A Shiva Lingam, Kasi Viswanathar, Mahalingam, Murugan with Valli Devasena, Manjanavaravu Amman.

 Thirukkulam with neerazhi mandapam between Nellaiyappar and Kanthimathi Amman sannadhi.

The entrance to Kanthimathi Amman Sannadhi with Musical pillars

After the peaceful darshan of Lord Nellaiappar, thought of buying Halwa from Irruttukadai. Learned the shop will be open around 18.00 Hrs and the people started standing in Q, since 15.00 Hrs. I did not want to waste time, standing in the Q,  came to the old bus stand and purchased halwa from Sri Lakshmi Sweets shop. The Train Nellai Express was on platform No1 when I reached the railway station an hour earlier around 17.50 hrs.  From Tirunelveli, the train started late by 15 minutes (19.05 Hrs ) and reached Tambaram around 7.00 Hrs on  27-10-2013. Reached home after taking my bike from SPIC House.  

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---