Sri Kundaleswarar Temple / Sri Kundalakaneswarar Temple / திருக்குரக்கா குந்தளேஸ்வரர் திருகோயில், Thirukurakkaval / Thirukurakkuka, Mayiladuthurai District, Tamil Nadu,

This is the 82^nd Thevara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and the 28^th sthalam on the north of River Kaveri in Chozha Nadu. This place was called Kurakkaka during the 6^th- 7^th Century and is now called Thirukurakkaval on the north banks of River Uppanar, very close to Thalainayar near Mayiladuthurai. This is one of the 5 temples that ends with “Ka”.. the other temples are Thiruvanaikaval, Thirukodikka, Thirunellikka, and Thirukolakka. Ka- means a beautiful Garden. Thirukarupariyalur ( Thalainayar ) is on the south bank of this river. Since Hanuman ( Kurangu – குரங்கு - Kurangukkaka might have corrupted to the present name of Kurakkuka ) worshiped Lord Shiva, this temple called Kurakkaka.

In Periya Puranam, Sekkizhar records that Thirugnanasambandar and Thirunavukkarasar went to Kolakka Temple. After that Appar alone went to 7 temples which include Thirukurakaval / Kurakkaka, which is between Thirukarupariyalur, which was not mentioned separately.

ஆண்ட அரசு எழுந்தருளக் கோலக் காவை

அவரோடும் சென்று இறைஞ்சி அன்பு கொண்டு

மீண்டருளினார் அவரும் விடை கொண்டு இப்பால்

வேத நாயகர் விரும்பும் பதிகள் ஆன

நீண்ட கருப்பறியலூர், புன்கூர், நீடூர்,

நீடு திருக் குறுக்கை, திருநின்றியூரும்

காண்தகைய நனிபள்ளி முதலாய் நண்ணிக்

கண்ணுதலார் கழல் தொழுது கலந்து செல்வார்

Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal and Ramalinga Adigalar had sung hymns in praise of the lord of this temple.

மரக்கொக் காம்என வாய்விட் டலறிநீர்

சரக்குக் காவித் திரிந்தய ராதுகால்

பரங்குங் காவிரி நீரலைக் குங்கரைக்

குரக்குக் காவுடை யக்கெடுங் குற்றமே

....... திருநாவுக்கரசு சுவாமிகள்

                                                --“மிக்கதிரு

மாவளருஞ் செந்தாமரை வளருஞ்செய் குரக்குக்

கா வளரும் இன்பக்கன சுகமே

........ திருஅருட்பா

Moolavar  : Sri Kundaleswarar, Sri Kundalakarneswarar.

Consort    : Sri Kundalambigai.

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

The temple faces east and has a small entrance. Balipeedam and Rishabam are in front of the sanctum sanctorum. The arch with stucco images is at the entrance of the Sanctum Sanctorum. The Sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala, and artha mandapam. A Vesara vimana is over the sanctum. Dwarapalakas are in painting. In koshtam Dakshinamurthy and Durgai. 

In Prakaram Vinayagar, Valli Devasena Murugan, Bhairavar, Chelliamman, Chandran, Hanuman and Chandikeswarar. A painting of Hanuman worshiping Lord Shiva of this temple is at the entrance. There is a separate sannadhi for Hanuman. Ambal is in a separate temple with vesara Vimana.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

Since the 7^th century Thirunavukkarasar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple, the the temple might have existed before his period. Also part of the temple is of brick structure, major renovations were not carried out during the Chozha and Vijayanagara Periods.

The temple’s maha kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 04^th September 2017 after renovations. ( 5 years after my Visit ).

LEGENDS

As per the Legend, Rama and Sita came to this place after the war at Sri Lanka. Rama wishes to worship Lord Shiva and Asked Hanuman to bring a Shiva Linga, from Ayodhya. When his arrival was delayed, Agasthiyar asked Sita to create a Shiva Linga out of Sand and Rama worshiped Lord Shiva. Since Hanuman came after the pooja was completed, the Shiva Linga was installed in another place. Angered Hanuman tried to uproot the Sand Shiva Linga and the same was damaged.  So realized that his act was a Shiva Aparadha – a sin. Rama advised Hanuman to visit this temple to get rid of the sin.

In another legend, Hanuman installed and worshiped Lord Shiva in this temple. To test the devotion of Hanuman / Anjaneyar,  Lord Shiva, made to disappear one Kundala ( an earring). On seeing that Lord Shiva’s ear is without a Kundalam, without hesitation, Anjaneyar, who was born with Kundala, cuts the whole ear ( since it was there from his birth ) and offers it to Lord Shiva. Hence this place is called Kurankkuka and later corrupted as Kurakkuka. And Anjaneyar offered his Kundala to Lord Shiva Lord Shiva is called "Kundaleswarar / Kundalakarneswarar." 

It is believed that Sages Agasthiyar and Markandeyar worshiped Lord Shiva at this temple. 

It is believed that on Chithirai Month two monkeys used to come to this temple, take a dip in the temple tank, pluck bilva leaves from the tree, and worship Lord Shiva.

It is believed that Anjaneyar is the lord of Rahu and Saneeswarar, devotees worship Anjaneyar to get relief from the adverse effects of these two planets. Also, the devotees worship Lord Shiva for wedding boon, child boon, better job opportunities and to excel in education. 

  

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular Poojas, special poojas are conducted on Pradosham, Annabhishekam in the month of Aippasi ( Oct – Nov ), Thirukarthigai in the month Karthigai ( Nov – Dec ), Maha Shivaratri in Masi ( Feb – March ), Saturdays and new moon ( Amavasai ) days and hanuman Jayanthi.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open between 07.00 hrs to 12.30 hrs and 16.30 hrs to 20.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS :

The landline number is + 91 4364 258 785 and T A Nataraja Sivam Gurukkal may be contacted on his mobile at +91 77088 20533 for further details.

HOW TO REACH :

On the bus route, Vaitheeswaran Koil and Thiruppanandal get down at Ilanthoppu and by the side of the Hospital the temple is 3 Km  ( You have to make your own arrangement, since there is no bus facility ).

On a Town bus from Mayiladuthurai to Pattavarthi, get down at Ilanthoppu and proceed as above.

The temple is about a half Km from Thalainayar ( crossing the river usually no water will flow – through the bridge, it will be 5 KM )

The temple is 11 KM  from Sirkazhi, 11 KM from Vaitheeswaran Koil, 16 KM from Mayiladuthurai, 28 KM from Chidambaram, 50 KM from Kumbakonam, and 245 KM from Chennai.

Nearest Railway Station is Sirkazhi.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Thanks to the unknown photographers for the photos taken after Kumbhabhishekam

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Karuppariyalur Kutram Porutha Naathar Temple / அருள்மிகு குற்றம் பொறுத்த நாதர் திருக்கோயில், திருக்கருப்பறியலூர், தலைஞாயிறு, Thirukarupariyalur, Thalainayar, Mayiladuthurai District, Tamil Nadu.

This is the 81^st Thevara Paadal petra Shiva Sthalam and the 27^th Sthalam on the north side of river Kaveri in Chozha Nadu. The place was once called Thirukarupariyalur, now called Melaikazhi ( Since this place is on the west side of Sirkazhi ) and Thalainayar. This Thalainayar is close to Mayiladuthurai and not that near Thiruthuraipoondi. This temple type is called “Kokudikoil” ( Kokudi – a type of jasmine / Mullai flower ).

In Periya Puranam, Sekkizhar mentions that Thirugnanasambandar visited this temple worshiping Lord Shiva of ThiruNaraiyur

அப்பதி பணிந்து அரும்தமிழ் புனைந்துதம்
மெய்படு விருப்பொடு மேவுநாள் அரன்
பொன்மதி பலவும்முன் பணிந்துபோந்தனர்
பைப்பணியவர் கருப்பறிய லூரினில்

பரமர் தம் திருக்கருப் பறியலூரினைச்
சிரபுரச்சிறுவர் கைதொழுது செந்தமிழ்
உரை இசைபாடி அம்மருங்கின் உள்ளவாம்
சுரர்தொழும் பதிகளும் தொழுது பாடினார்

Thirugnanasambandar, Sundarar, and Vallalar have sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple. It is surprising to note that Sundarar and Thirugnanasambandar lived in different periods, and mentioned this temple as "Kokudi Koil".

சுற்றமொடு பற்றவை துயக்கற அறுத்துக்’
        குற்றமில் குணங்களொடு கூடும்அடி யார்கள்
மற்றவரிவானவர்தம் வானுலகம் ஏற்றக்
        கற்றவன் இருப்பது கருப்பறியலூரே
அற்றமறை யாவமணர் ஆதமலி புத்தர்
        சொற்றமறி யாதவர்கள் சொன்ன சொலைவிட்டுக்’
குற்றமறி யாதபெரு மான் கொகுடிக் கோயில்
        கற்றென இருப்பது கருப்பறியலூரே

....... திருஞானசம்பந்தர்

முட்டாமே நாள்தோறும் நீர்மூழ்கிப் பூப்பறித்து மூன்று போதும்
கட்டார்ந்த இண்டைகொண்டு அடிசேர்த்தும் அந்தணர்தம் கருப்பறியலூர்க்
கொட்டாட்டுப் பாட்டாகி நின்றானை குழகனைக்  கொகுடிக் கோயில்
எட்டான மூர்த்தியை நினைத்தபோது அவர்நமக்கு இனிய வாறே

........ சுந்தரர்

- “ஓரட்ட
திக்குங்கதி நாட்டிச் சீர்கொள் திடுத்தொண்டருளம்
ஒக்குங் கருப்பறியலூரரசே

....... திரு அருட்பா

Moolavar  : Sri Kutram Porutha Nathar,
                  Sri Abaratha Shameswarar
Consort    : Sri Vichithara Balambiga, Sri Kolvalainayagi.

Some of the important features of the temple are.....….
The temple faces east with a 3-tier Rajagopuram ( under reconstruction ). Balipeedam and Rishabam are in front of the sanctum sanctorum. Moolavar is of swayambhu. In Koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma and Durga Parameswari. 

In prakaram Vinayagar, Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Mahalakshmi, Thirugnanasambandar, Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal, Sundarar ( Moovar ), Uma Maheswarar and Chandikeswarar with his wife Yamini. A Shiva Linga with a Vinayagar is under the sthala vruksham mullai creeper/ plant.

Similar to Sirkazhi, Uma Maheswarar as Thoniappar and Sattainathar are in Malai Koil. Lord Shiva as Thoniappar is with Ma Parvati. Uma Maheswarar urchavar are infront of  Thoniappar.

ARCHITECTURE
Sanctum sanctorum consists of a sanctum, antarala, artha mandapam, and a maha mandapam. The front mandapas are of Vavvalnethi ( the forehead of a bat ) type of architecture. The Sanctum Sanctorum is on a prati bandha adhistanam with jagathy, vrudha kumuda, and vyyalavari.  

The Bhitti starts with Vedigai, with Vishnukantha and Indra kantha pilasters, the pilasters are of malaithongal, kalasam, thadi kudam, lotuspetals mandi, veerakandam and vettu / tharanga pothyal. Kumbha panjaras are in between koshtas. Prastram is with valapi, kapotam, Nasikoodus, and Vyyalavari. En ekathala vesara brick Vimanam is on the sanctum sanctorum.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
This place was called Yuthigavanam, Thiru Karupariyalur, Melakkazhi, Kanmanasa Puram, Adhithyapuri, Thalaignayiru, Kokudikkoil, and Kallar Kottai during the Puranic period.

Since Thirugnanasambandar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple, the original temple might have existed before the 7^th Century and was later reconstructed during the Chozha period as a stone temple and extended during the Vijayanagara period.  

About 12 inscriptions are recorded from this temple. The inscriptions belong to Kulothunga Chozha-III, Rajarajan-III, and Vijayanagara King Pratapa krishnaDevaraya. (  Annual Reports on South Indian Epigraphy for the year 1927, No. 140-158 ). Kulothunga Chozha –III period This place was called Rajathirajavalanattu Kazhumala Nattu Thaninayaka Chaturvedi Mangalam. This name name might have corrupted to the present name of Thalainayar. Also called as Agaram Thaninayaka Chaturvedi mangalam. As per the inscription on a boulder, Lord Shiva was called Parvatibhagar.

The Kulothunga Chozha-III’s period inscription records that Chozhakulathan Mangalathirasar established the Stubi. Ambal Palliyarai Nachiyar was established by Villavarayar.

Rajaraja-III’s 3rd-year reign inscription records the endowment of Naivedyam for morning pooja and Uchikalapooja. Nataraja was established by the devotees and those working in the temple on Thiruvathira day. Donations are also made.

The inscription also records the sannidhi’s names as Perumal ( Maha Vishnu..?) Sundara Pillayar, Thiruvudayar, and Chozha Kulathan Mangalarasar. These are not available now.

The inscription also records the rules and regulations of the Village Sabha. The Maha Mandapam was constructed during Vikrama Chozha Velalar.

This temple is under the administrative control of Thiruvaduthurai Adheenam. During the 25^th Mahasannidhanam  Sri-la-Sri Subramania Desika Paramacharya Swamigal, period the Malai Koil was completely dismantled and reconstructed, Uma Maheswarar, Sattainathar stucco images were reworked, Vimanam, Rajagopuram and well,  maintenance was carried out. Ashta Bandhana Maha kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 22^nd March 1953. Many portions are found damaged, and the Rajagopuram is badly damaged. The Temple is under renovation during my recent visit on 5^th & 6^th March 2022.

Inscriptions

LEGENDS
In another Legend, Rama and Sita came to this place after the war in Sri Lanka. Rama wishes to worship Lord Shiva and Asked Hanuman to bring a Shiva Linga, from Ayodhya. When his arrival was delayed, Agasthiyar asked Sita to create a Shiva Linga out of Sand and Rama worshiped Lord Shiva. Since Hanuman came after the pooja was completed, the Shiva Linga was installed in another place. Angered Hanuman tried to uproot the Sand Shiva Linga and the same was damaged. So realized that his act was a Shiva Aparadha – a sin. Rama advised Hanuman to visit this temple and Pray to Lord Shiva.     

Lord Shiva pardoned the mistake of Indrajit and praised it as “Kutram Porutha nathar”  - Kutram in Tamil means mistake. Porutha means tolerated ). 

In another Legend, it is believed that those who worship Lord Shiva will be relieved from the cycle of birth and re-birth. They will also attain Mukti. Hence this place is known as Karu Pariyalur ( Karu- fetus, and Pariyal means – size. Thirugnanasambandar also mentions the same in his hymns.  

சுற்றமொடு பற்றவை துயக்கற அறுத்துக்’
குற்றமில் குணங்களொடு கூடும்அடி யார்கள்
மற்றவரிவானவர்தம் வானுலகம் ஏற்றக்
கற்றவன் இருப்பது கருப்பறியலூரே

Since Suryan worshiped Shiva in this temple, this place is called Thalainayar ( Nayar – Sun ). Vasister, Anjaneyar, and Indran also worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on Pradosham, Vinayagar Chathurthi in Avani ( Aug – Sept ), Skanda Sashti and Annabhishekam in Aippasi ( Oct – Nov ), Thirukarthigai in the month Karthigai ( Nov – Dec),  Mahashivaratri in Masi ( Feb – march ) and Panguni Uthiram in the month Panguni ( March – April ) 

TEMPLE TIMINGS
The temple will be kept open between 08.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 18.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.

HOW TO REACH : 
Thalainayar is on the bus route from Vaitheeswaran koil to Thiruppanandal.
The temple is 9.3 KM from Vaitheeswaran Koil, 15.1 KM from Mayiladuthurai, 16.5 KM from Sirkazhi, 31 KM from Chidambaram, 32 KM from Thiruppanandal, 49 KM from Kumbakonam and 253 KM from Chennai.
The nearest Railway station is Vaitheeswaran Koil. 

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Sattainathar

Thoniappar Sannidhi

Brahma

Brahma

Chandikeswarar with his consort

Vinayagar- Dakshinamurthy and a Sculpture

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

The  Heritage visit to this Sri Kutram Porutha Nathar Temple Temple at Thirukarupariyalur aka Thalainayar was a part of the “Mada Temples Heritage Walk in Nagapattinam and Mayiladuthurai Districts”, organized by “Chozha Mandala Varalatru Thedal Kuzhu – GCHRG, on 05^th and 6^th March 2022.   Thanks to V Ramachandran, Thasildar of Nagapattinam, who took us to all these Temples. This is the second visit to this temple.