Kodunkundranathar Temple / Piranmalai Kodunkundreeswarar Temple, ( Kodunkundram ), கொடுங்குன்றம் ( பிரான்மலை கொடுங்குன்றீஸ்வரர் கோயில் ), Piranmalai, Sivaganga District, Tamil Nadu.

This is the  249^th Thevaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and the 5^th Shiva Sthalam of Pandya Nadu.  Also, this is one of the Shiva temples on the hill in Pandiya Naadu after Thiruparankundram. This place was called Kodungundram and is now called Piranmalai. As per hearsay, Thirugnanasambandar called this hill “Em PiranMalai”.

Top Level Temple

In Periya Puranam, Sekkizhar mentions that Thirugnanasambandar wishes to worship other  Shiva temples in the southern part of Pandiya Naadu, after worshiping Lord Shiva of Thiruvuchathanam, now called Koyilur near Muthupettai, reached Kudunkundram, where Lord Shiva wears the sweet fragrance smell of kondrai flowers. On the way, he crossed many rivers, hills, and forests where the deer with their cubs were playing.

    மன்றல் மலர்பிறங்கல் மருங்கு எறிந்து வருநதிகள் பல

    சென்று அணைந்து கடந்து ஏறித்திரிமருப்பின் கலைபுணர்மான்

    கன்று தெறித்தன உகைக்கும் கான அதர்கடந்து அணைந்தார்

    கொன்றை நறும்சடைமுடியார் மகிழ்ந்திருக் கொடுங்குன்றம்

Thirugnanasambandar and Vallalar have sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple. This is the first temple of Pandiya Naadu visited by Gnanasambandar. As per Sekkizhar, even though Sundarar visited many temples of Pandya Naadu, only a few hymns are traced.   

    வானில்பொலி வெய்தும்மழை மேகம்கிழித்து ஓடிக்

    கூனல்பிறை சேரும்குளிர் சாரல் கொடுங்குன்றம்

    ஆனில்பொலி ஐந்தும் அமர்ந்து ஆடிஉலகு ஏத்தத்

    தேனில்பொலி மொழியாளொடு மேயான்திரு நகரே

.... திருஞானசம்பந்தார்

                                                            -“பூமீதின்

    நற்றவருங்கற்ற நவசித்தரும் வாழ்த்தி

    உற்றகொடுங் குன்றத்தெம் ஊதியமே”

...... திரு அருட்பா

The 15th-century Saint Arunagirinathar worshiped Murugan of this temple and sang Hymns in praise of Muruga.

அனங்க னம்பொன் றஞ்சுந் தங்குங்            கண்களாலே

அடர்ந்தெழும்பொன் குன்றங்கும்பங்          கொங்கையாலே

முனிந்து மன்றங் கண்டுந் தண்டும்            பெண்களாலே

முடங்கு மென்றன் தொண்டுங் கண்டின்    றின்புறாதோ

தெனந்தெ னந்தெந் தெந்தெந் தெந்தெந்      தெந்தெனானா

செறிந்த டர்ந்துஞ் சென்றும் பண்பின்         தும்பிபாடக்

குனிந்தி லங்குங் கொம்புங் கொந்துந்         துன்றுசோலை

கொழுங்கொ டுந்திண் குன்றந் தங்குந்        தம்பிரானே.

Base Temple Moolavar     : Sri Kodunkundranathar

(Pathalam)  Consort         : Sri Kuilamutha Nayagi,

                                        Sri Amirtheswari.

Middle : Moolavar            : Sri Viswanathan

(Boologam)  Consort        : Sri Visalakshi

Top:      Moolavar            : Sri Mangai Bagar,

(Kayilayam)                      Sri Umamaheswarar

                Consort          : Sri Thenambigai, Sri Thenambal

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

The temple is in three stages. They are Pathalam, Bhoomi, and Kayilayam. 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 a sitting posture.

 

Base Level Temple prakara

Stucco image of Pari King with Chariot, one of the Kadai 7 Vallals (The Sangam period 7 kings who donate generously),  who donated his chariot to Mullai/jasmine, is in the middle of the hill, and during his period, the place was called “Pareesuram” and the hill was called Purambu Malai (Purambu Hill).

Pari King stucco image, who gave his Chariot to Mullai creeper 

There is a separate sannadhi for Bhairavar without a dog at the middle level. Bhairava is also called Vadugu Bhairavar. Artha jama Pooja is special in this temple. Since this Bhairavar was worshiped by the ancient Kings, a sword is kept on Bhairavar, which is considered the symbol of valor. Lord Shiva took this form of Bhairavar to kill the demon Mundasuran.

  

Bhairavar Temple

A 5-tier Rajagopuram is at the entrance of the Upper-level temple. The upper level is considered Kailash. The Sanctum Sanctorum is of the rock-cut cave type. Lord Shiva and Ma Parvati are in Kalyana kolam as “Mangai oru Bagar”, to give darshan to Sage Agathiyar. Believed to be made of Nava (9) herbals, and abhishekam is not done to Moolavar. On Pournami days, only Punugu and Sambrani oil are applied. There is no Balipeedam,  Dwajasthambam, and Rishabam in front of the moolavar sannadhi. Since Lord Shiva is holding a palm leaf, Lord Shiva is also called “Vedha Shiva “.

The Sthala vruksham is Uranga Puli (non-sleeping Tamarind), the leaves do not sleep/fold during the night, and also there is a tree for which the name is not known yet, which was grown between two boulders. This temple is also under the control of Kundrakudi Ponnambala Adigalar. 

HISTORY & INSCRIPTION

The temple might have existed before the 6^th Century. The rock-cut cave temple was believed to be established by the Pandyas. Lord Shiva was called as ThiruKodungundraththu Udayar, Thirukodungundra Mudaya Nayanar, Nallamangaibagar, Mangai Nathar, etc. Maha Kumbabishekam was conducted in September 2019.

Rayar Kandan Saluva Immadi Narasimharayar Saka year....22,  reign inscriptions  (AR-139 of 1903 SII- VIII-426) record the gift of Land Nanjai & Punjai with periphery limits to this temple by Thipparasar Ayyan. The same king's other inscription (AR-151 of 1903 SII- VIII-439) records the gift of land and share for each person who is working as Archakas / Bahttars by Eppuli Nayakar.

Kulasekara Pandiya’s 28th-year reign inscription (AR-140 of 1903 SII- VIII-427) records the endowment of Palamutham –(milk rice) Naivedyam for which 50 (In this 30 Cows)  cows are gifted, of which 30 cows are to be treated as Sava moova Cows. For 6 cows, 5 Nazhi  Ppalamuthu to be handed over to the Madapalli, by Thiruvaalavayudaya Nayanar Temple Thiru Thondar Mudaliyar. ( for Surabi Thirumeni – an idol ..?). 

Another 14th-year reign inscription (AR-143 of 1903 SII-VIII-431) records the endowment of burning a perpetual lamp by Azhakia Perumal Akaparivarathu Ulagalantha Azhagar Perumal, alias Avani Narayanadevan, for which two Nei thangi (ghee holder),  with two pada brass Kuthu Vilakku, weighing 2 X 80 palam.   The same King’s 16th-year reign inscription  (AR-152 of 1903 SII-VIII-440) records the endowment of  Naivedyam by the temple supervisors and Accountants established a sannadhi with murtis for Murugan with their consorts, and the materials required for the Naivedyam, 200 panam was deposited in the treasury. The amount of Naivedyam to prepare for each day was also recorded.

Chozha nadu Kondaruliya Sundara Pandiya’s 3^rd year reign inscription (AR-42A of 1903, SII- VIII-429) records the endowment of burning a perpetual lamp by Ethirilla Perumal, one of the Treasurer/ Pandaram, Natta Perumal, for which a brass Lamp weighing 82 palam and 50 saava moova goats/sheep.  Another inscription of the same King’s (AR-42B of 1903, SII-VIII-430) records the endowment of a perpetual lamp by  Madurai Thirumadam Ammai Araperunselviyar.

Veera Pandya’s 3rd-year reign inscription (AR-44 of 1903, SII-VIII-432) records the endowment of Naivedyam, which includes Rice and vegetables,  by the Temple accountants.

The 34th-year reign inscription without the King’s name  (AR-147 of 1903, SII- VIII-435), records the endowment of Naivedyam, Dwarapathy Velar built Boopalapurantharan Sannadhi for which land was donated to this temple.

Veera Pandya’s period inscription (AR-148 of 1903, SII-VIII-436) records the endowment of Naivedyam and worship for which a Tax-free land of Punjai and Nanjai, which comprises Kulam, wells, was gifted.

Parakrama Pandya’s 10th-year reign inscription (AR-50 of 1903, SII-VIII-438) records the endowment of a Perpetual lamp for which land was sold for 150 panam, and 40 panam was given for one lamp by Gudalur alias Ainootrumangalathu Sabha.

The inscription with the King’s name in Sanskrit (AR-154 of 1903, SII-VIII-442) records the Merchants Thisaivilangu Aayirathainootruoruvar, and the place’s merchants, where they do business, agreed for the maintenance of this temple. Taxes are collected for the materials and animals they traded, like Salt in various forms (pothi, moottai, cartload, head load, etc), Castrol oil seeds, dried Ginger (chukka), Pepper, Sandal paste, turmeric, Chambor, Punugu, Javadhu, Horse, Elephant, and other materials, etc. This agreement was signed by the merchants. The taxes thus collected are utilized for temple maintenance (Thirupani) and pooja.

Ref: 

1. South Indian Inscriptions Volume VIII

2. Annual Report on South Indian Epigraphy, Year 1903. 

Inscription

Inscriptions

LEGENDS

ThiruGnanasambandar called the Shiva of this temple “Embiram,” and hence the place was later called Piranmalai. 

It is believed that Punugu and Sambrani oil applied to Moolavar will get rid of the marriage obstacles. After abhishekam, each time dressed in a new Vasthiram.

As per the Legend, there was an argument between Adhiseshan and Vayu, regarding who is great. As per the agreement, Adhiseshan holds the Meru hill firmly. Vayu tried to release the Meru from the grip of Adhiseshan by blowing. Some pieces from the Meru Hill and thrown /flown out and landed on the earth. This Kodungundram is one such piece.  

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular Poojas, special poojas are conducted on Pradosham, Maha Shivaratri (Jan–Feb), Chithirai Peruvizha, in which the 7^th day is celebrated as “Pari Vizha” (April–May), Vaikasi Visakam (May–June), Thirukarthigai (Nov–Dec).

THE TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open from 07.30 hrs to 12.00 hrs, and from 17.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs

CONTACT DETAILS :

The landline and mobile numbers  +91 4577 246 170 and +91 94431 91300 may be contacted for further details. 

HOW TO REACH : 

The 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.

This temple, Piran Malai, is 35 km from Melur,  48 km from Karaikudi, 52 km from Pudukkottai, 63 km from Madurai,  82 km from Trichy, and  413 km from Chennai.

The nearest Railway Station is Melur & Madurai.  

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

A Mandapa at the middle level

Bas-relief of Lord Shiva & Parvati's marriage on the side of the steps

Bas-relief of Lord Shiva & Parvati's marriage on the side of the steps

Base Level Temple Prakaram

Chariot

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---