This is the 257th Thevara
Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and the 13th Shiva Sthalam in
Pandya Naadu. This place was called Courtallam and Kurumpala. Also called by different names like
Thirikoodachalam, Thirikooda malai, etc. Thirikooda Rasappa Kavirayar’s
Thalapurana of this temple praises this place as “வானரங்கள் கனி கொடுத்து மந்தொயொடு கொஞ்சும்..” This Chitra
Sabha is one of the Pancha Sabha where Lord Shiva Danced. ( Chitra – Drawing ).
As per
Sekkizhar's Periya Puranam, Thirugnanasambandar went to the temples Tirupattur,
Tiruppuvanam, and Tiruchuli, for 3rd time after he met Thirunavukkarasar.
Whether Appar went along with him is not known. It was also mentioned that
Appar had been to Thirupugalur and Tirunelveli, but Courtrallam is not
mentioned.
பற்றார் தம்புரங்கள் மலைச் சிலையில் செற்ற
கற்றார்கள் தொழுது ஏத்தும் கானப்பேரும்கைதொழுது தமிழ்பாடிச் சுழியல் போற்றிக்குற்றாலம் குறும்பலாக் கும்பிட்டு ஏத்திக்கூற்று உதைத்தார் நெல்வேலிக் குறுகினாரே...... பெரியபுராணம்... திருஞானசம்பந்தர்
Thirugnanasambadar, Appar,
Manickavasagar, Pattinathar, and Vallalar have sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of
this temple. The Sthalapurana also praises Lord Shiva of this temple.
வம்பார் குன்றம் நீடுயர்சாரல் வளர் வேங்கைக் கொம்பார் சோலைக் கோலவண்டியாழ் செய்குற்றாலம்அம்பா னெய்யோடாடலமர்ந்தான் அலர் கொன்றை நம்பான்மேய நன்னகர் போலும் நமரங்காள்திருந்தமதி சூடித் தெண்ணீர் சடைக்கரந்து தேவிபாகம் பொருந்திப் பொருந்தாத வேடத்தாற் காடுறைதல் புரிந்த செல்வர்இருந்த இடம் வினவில் ஏலங் கமழ் சோலையின வண்டியாழ் செய் குருந்த மண நாறுங் குன்றிடஞ் சூழ் தண்சாரற்குறும் பலாவே....... திருஞானசம்பந்தர்உற்றார் ஆருளரே – உயிர் கொண்டுபோம் பொழுதுகுற்றாலத்துறை கூத்தனல்லால் நமக்கு உற்றார் ஆருளரோ...... அப்பர்- திருவங்கமாலைஉற்றாரையான் வேண்டேன் ஊர்வேண்டேன் பேர்வேண்டேன்கற்றாரையான் வேண்டேன் கற்பனவும் இனி அமையும்குற்றாலத்தமர்ந்துறையும் கூத்தா உன் குரைகழற்கேகற்றாவின் மனம் போலக் கசிந்துருக வேண்டுவனே...... மாணிக்கவாகர் – திருவாசகம்காலன் வருமுன்னே கண்பஞ்சடைமுன்னேபாலுண் கடைவாய் படுமுன்னே – மேல் விழுந்தேஉற்றார் அழுமுன்னே ஊரார் சுடுமுன்னேகுற்றாலத் தானையே கூறு.......பட்டினத்தார் -“பண்செழிப்பக்கற்றாலங் குண்மைக் கதிதருமென்றற்றவர்சூழ்குற்றாலத் தன்பர் குதூகலிப்பே”....... திரு அருட்பாசுற்றாத ஊர்தேடிச் சுற்றவேண்டாம் புலவீர் குற்றாலமென்றொரு காற்கூறின் – வற்றாவடவருவியானே மறு பிறவிச் சேற்றில்நடவருவியானே நமை......... குற்றாலக் குறவஞ்சிMoolavar : Arulmigu Kutralanathar, Sri Kurumbalaeesar, Sri Thirikoodachalapathy, Sri
Thirikoodaleswarar. Arulmigu Courtrallanathar Swamy TempleConsort : Sri Kuzhalvai Mozhiammai , Sri Venuvaakkuvahini.
Some of the important features of
this temple are….The temple faces east with a 3-tier Rajagopuram. There are beautiful stucco images on the Rajagopuram with 3
Kalasas. Dwajasthambam, Rishabam, and Balipeedam are after the Rajagopuram in Vasantha
mandapam. The temple is in the shape of a conch (Sangu). The moolavar is small/short. In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy (not in the niche), Mahavishnu in
place of Lingothbavar. In the artha mandapam Urchavars and Natarajar Sabha.
In the inner prakaram Kumbamuni,
Brahma, Saptamatrikas, Suradevar, Ayyanar, Brahmi, Thurayanar, Mahavishnu,
Narasimhar, Kanni Vinayagar, Chandran, Vanmeekanathar, Jambukeswarar,
Annamalaiyar, Kalathiappar, Thirumoolanathar (Very small murti), Ramalingar,
Subramaniyar, Chandikeswarar, Shaniswarar, and Suryan.
In the outer praharam Ambal is in a
separate temple with a Rishabam and Balipedam in front ( Kailasa Nathar 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, Pabhanasar with Ulagamman, Nellaiappar with Gandhimathi,
Manakolanathar, Narumbunathar, Sankaralingam, Palvannanathar, Chokkalingam with
Meenakshi, Dharmasastha, Mathunatheswarar with Aramvalarthamman, Agasthiyar,
Vasuki, Somalingam, Maha Lingam, Sakasralingam, Kashi Viswanathar with
Visalakshi, Shivalaya Munivar (2 steps below the ground level), Parasakthi
Peedam and Navagrahas. The Main Falls's top view can be seen, near one of the
sannadhi on the south side.
The maha mandapam pillars are with Chinna
Pattar and Periyapattar King's reliefs, who built this temple.
This temple has two parts. One is
this temple and the other is Chitra Sabai which is about ½ a KM from the main
temple. 
The 15th Century Arunagirinathar
has sung hymns in praise
of Lord Muruga of this temple.
கொத்தார்கத லிப்ப ழக்குலை வித்தாரவ ருக்கை யிற்சுளை கொத்தோடுதி ரக்கு தித்தெழு கயலாரங்கொட்டாசுழி யிற்கொ ழித்தெறிசிற்றாறுத னிற்க ளித்திடுகுற்றாலரி டத்தி லுற்றருள் பெருமாளே
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONSSince Thirugnanasambandar has sung
Hymns the temple might have been built before the 7th Century. Later
the temple was reconstructed and extended during Chozhas, Pandyas, and Vijayanagaras. As per
the Temple website The present sanctum sanctorum was constructed (re-construction) by Rajarajan. Historians claim that there was a Maha Vishnu
temple on the left side of the Moolavar Sannadhi. During Pandya’s period Sanctum Sanctorum, ardha mandapam, Mahamandapam, Ambal Kuzhalvai Mozhiammai Sannadhi and Pillayar
Kattalai mandapam were built. During
Nayak’s period Paraskathi Sannadhi,
Sangu/conch prakara, inner prakara, Compound wall are built. Thirikooda mandapam (100 pillar mandapa), Pasupirai, Thattodi,
Vaitheeyappa Vilasam, the front mandapam of kuzhalvai mozhi Amman, sangu
praharam and paving of floor with stone
in the vasantha praharam/mandapam, were built by the Vadakarai Aathikkam
Chokkampatti. During 1925 CE, the Aralvaimozhi Temple was renovated with the public participation.
There were about 89 inscriptions
recorded from this temple. The earliest inscription belongs to Parantaka-I (927 – 943 CE). As per the inscriptions Lord Shiva was called Thiru Kutrala
Perumal, Kutrala Devan, Mahadevan. The inscriptions mainly record the
endowments of burning perpetual lamps for which gifts were made like, cow, goat/
sheep, money, etc,. There was a mention
of the eclipse and sacred bathing of the deities.
Pandya King Parakrama Pandya’s
father's 31st year’s ethir 2nd year ie 33rd-year reign inscription (AR 203 of 1895, SII Vol-V, 767) records that he had sent
his son, to this temple to solve the dispute between the Butters, since the
poojas were stopped. During the inquiry, the Butters didn’t extend co-operation which made him angry. Parakrama Pandya
made suitable changes in the land gifted to them as irayili and doing pooja of
one day as a share per Buttars group.
The next inscription, Pandya King Parakrama Pandya’s 31st year’s ethir 4th
year ie 35th-year reign inscription (AR 204 of 1895, SII Vol-V, 768) also records the same dispute between the Batters and pooja was stopped. The King once again
made Changes in the Pooja schedule between them and suitable adjustments were also
made in the Irayili land. The Order was issued by the king in the form of a palm
leaf / olai message.
Pandya Kings Maran Chadayan’s 4th
year & 360th-day reign inscription (AR 480 of 1917, SII XIV- 4)
records the endowment of burning a perpetual lamp by Maran Achchan probably a
petty Chief, of Poliyur of Tiruppattur.
A Vattezhu inscription 2+7th
year of Chadayan Maran ( AR 416 of 1917,
SII XIV- 53 ) records the endowment... incomplete...
The Pandya King Ko Chadayan Maran’s
2+9th year inscription ( AR 417 of 1917, SII XIV- 57 ) records the
endowment of burning a half (1/2 ) perpetual lamp by Ayyakuttan of Idavai Manni
Nadu for which 3 Saava moova buffaloes were
gifted to this temple.
A Vattezhuthu inscription of Pandya
King Sadaiyan Maran’s 2+9th year reign ( AR 418 of 1917, SII XIV- 58
) records the endowment of burning a
perpetual lamp for which 6 saava moova buffaloes were gifted by Vandaalai KonAn of Nallur Pandi Kudikudi.
The Pandya King Sadaiyan Maran’s 2+15th year reign inscription ( AR
440 of 1917, SII XIV- 66 ) records the ...
becoming the managing the temple affairs by a Pasupatha sect... the inscription
is incomplete and damaged in many portions.
The latest inscription dated
Kollam 1108 (Sri Muga year Ani 19th ) records that thirupani was
done and Mahakumbhabhishekam was conducted by Kasi Viswanatha Chettiyar of Devakottai.
Ref:South Indian Inscriptions Volume -XIV and V and Annual Report on South Indian Epigraphy, Year 1917 and 1895.
LEGENDSIt is believed that the sage
Agasthiyar had changed the Mahavishnu murti into a Shiva Linga. The legend
goes like this... During the celestial wedding, all the Devas, and Maharishis
gathered at Kailash Due to this the north went down, and the south rose up. To
balance the earth Lord Shiva asked Agasthiyar to go to South. On the way, Agasthiyar installed many Shiva Lingas and
worshiped them. Finally, he reached the Thirikooda Malai or Podhikai hills. He was
not allowed to enter the temple by the Dwarapalakas. Ilanji Kumaran came
to his rescue and made him to enter into the temple. Agasthiyar transformed
the Mahavishnu murti into Shiva Linga, by saying 'Kuru kuru kutralanathre !', which was initially in the sanctum. Agasthiyar's fingerprints are on the Moolavar. He also changed Sridevi into Kuzhalvai
Mozhiyammai, and Bhoodevi into
Parasakthi.
POOJAS & CELEBRATIONS Apart from regular poojas, special
poojas are conducted on Pradosham, Maha Shivaratri, Panguni Uthram, Thai month Maha Nakshatra day Theppotsavam, Kanda Sashti festival, Aipasi Thirukalyanam
festival, Avani Moolam festival, Adi Moolam patra deepam festival, 10 days
Margazhi Thiruvathirai festival, 9 days Navaratri festival and 10 days Chithirai
Vishu festival.
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.
HOW TO REACH:The temple is close to the Main
Falls at Courtallam and can be reached easily from Tenkasi. The place Tenkasi is on
the bus and train route to Shenkottai from Tirunelveli, Madurai, Chennai etc.Podhigai Express passes through
Tenkasi.
A lot of Towns and mini buses are
available to Courtallam from Thenkasi during the Chaaral season and the frequency is
less during nonseason.
The temple is 7.5 km from Tenkasi
& Shenkottai, 20.5 km from Kadayanallur, 73 km from Rajapalayam, 65 km from
Tirunelveli, 154 km from Madurai and 623 km from Chennai.The nearest Railway Station is Tenkasi.
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE
Saptamatrikas
Sangu - conch shape of the temple ( PC - Temple web )
CHITRA SABHA, COURTALLAMThe Chitra Sabhai is about a ½ a KM
from the main temple after climbing steps to a distance of 50 meters. The Sabha
is open to the public and the entrance fee is Rs 10.
சக்தி பீடத்தின்மேவும் தாரகப் பிரமம் போற்றிமுத்தி தந்தருள வேண்டி முளைத்தருள் முதலே போற்றியத்திர விழி பண்பாட வந்தரப்பேரியார்ப்பச்சித்திர சபையிலாடுந் தெய்வ நாயகனே போற்றி........ தலபுராணம்Some of the features of this sabha
are….The Chitra Sabhai is one of the 5
Sabhas, where Lord Shiva danced. ( The other Places are, Rathna Sabha -
Thiruvalangadu, Velli Ambalam - Madurai - Thamira (Copper ) Sabha -
Tirunelveli and Gold ambalam - Chidambaram )a separate temple and temple tank
is in front with a neerazhi mandapam. There is no pictures in the front mandapam
of Chitra sabhai. Learned that the Chitrams / paintings were drawn using
the natural herbs. The Sabai is in the form of a temple with thamira / copper plated roof with 8 kalasas
on the top.
On the outer side / prahara
Paintings of Oorthuva Thandavar, Bhathra Kali, Murugan, Soorapadman,
Singamugan, Dharahan, Manmathan, Rathi, The front mandapa is with kodungai
looks beautiful.
In the Inner prakara Various forms
of Durga, Veerabhadra, Gajendramoksham, Thiruvilayadal Purana, 63 var images,
Maha Vishnu as Ananda Padmanabha, Hiranya Samharam, Various forms of Bhairavas
and Shani Bhagwan,
Sabha inner has the paintings of
Natarajar With Sivakami, and Devas worshiping Lord Shiva, Lord Shiva With Parvati Thirukalyanam,
Kutralanathar gives darshan to sage Agasthiyar, Subramaniyar, Vinayagar’s
various postures, etc. On the 8th
day peruvizha Lord Shiva will come to Chitra Sabha. Wooden reliefs / sirpam of
Vinayagars can also be seen. Than to Dr. Bharathi for the Chitra sabha Photos.
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OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
பற்றார் தம்புரங்கள் மலைச் சிலையில் செற்ற
சுற்றாத ஊர்தேடிச் சுற்றவேண்டாம் புலவீர்
Moolavar : Arulmigu Kutralanathar, Sri Kurumbalaeesar,
வித்தாரவ ருக்கை யிற்சுளை
Pandya King Parakrama Pandya’s
father's 31st year’s ethir 2nd year ie 33rd-year reign inscription (AR 203 of 1895, SII Vol-V, 767) records that he had sent
his son, to this temple to solve the dispute between the Butters, since the
poojas were stopped. During the inquiry, the Butters didn’t extend co-operation which made him angry. Parakrama Pandya
made suitable changes in the land gifted to them as irayili and doing pooja of
one day as a share per Buttars group.
Apart from regular poojas, special
poojas are conducted on Pradosham, Maha Shivaratri, Panguni Uthram, Thai month Maha Nakshatra day Theppotsavam, Kanda Sashti festival, Aipasi Thirukalyanam
festival, Avani Moolam festival, Adi Moolam patra deepam festival, 10 days
Margazhi Thiruvathirai festival, 9 days Navaratri festival and 10 days Chithirai
Vishu festival.
Saptamatrikas
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OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
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