The visit to this Shanmuganathar Temple at Kundrakudi near
Karaikudi was a part of the structural and Rock Cut cave Shiva and Vishnu temples visit in
Tiruchirappalli, Pudukkottai and Sivagangai Districts, on 21st
November 2021. Since Murugan temple is located on a small hill this place was
called Kundrakudi, and the same was corrupted to the present name of Kunnakudi.
This place was also called Mayuragiri, Mayilmalai, etc,. To prove it is
believed that the hill resembles like Peacock at a certain angle. 
The 15th Century Arunagirinathar has sung hymns in
praise of Lord Muruga of this temple in his Thiruppugazh.
அழகெ றிந்த சந்த்ர முகவ டங்க லந்த அமுத புஞ்ச இன்சொல் மொழியாலேஅடிது வண்ட தண்டை கலிலெ னுஞ்சி லம்பொ டணிச தங்கை கொஞ்சு நடையாலே
சுழியெ றிந்து நெஞ்சு சுழல நஞ்ச ணைந்து தொடுமி ரண்டு கண்க ளதனாலேதுணைநெ ருங்கு கொங்கை மருவு கின்ற பெண்கள் துயரை யென்றொ ழிந்து விடுவேனோ
எழுது கும்ப கன்பி னிளைய தம்பி நம்பி யெதிர டைந்தி றைஞ்சல் புரிபோதேஇதம கிழ்ந்தி லங்கை யசுர ரந்த ரங்க மொழிய வென்ற கொண்டல் மருகோனே
மழுவு கந்த செங்கை அரனு கந்தி றைஞ்ச மநுவி யம்பி நின்ற குருநாதாவளமி குந்த குன்ற நகர்பு ரந்து துங்க மலைவி ளங்க வந்த பெருமாளே
Moolavar : Sri
Shanmuganathar / Murugan. Consorts : Sri Valli
and Devasena
Some of the salient features of this temple are…This temple is facing east on a small hill with an entrance
arch. The stucco image of Arumuga with Valli Devasena is on the top of the arch. A
5-tier Rajagopuram is at the beginning of Mandapams on the hill. Steps are cut
on the rock and constructed in some places. Moolavar Murugan with Srivalli
Devasena is in the sanctum sanctorum. Murugan is with 6 faces and 12 hands.
Dwajasthambam, balipeedam and Mayil /
Peacock is in the mandapam.
Dakshinamurthy, Swarna Vinayagar, Kuzhandhai Vadivelar,
Idumban, Natarajar, Navagrahas, Vallabha Ganapathi, Nalvar, Kasi Viswanathar & Visalakshi Somaskandar,
Chandikeswarar are in the praharam. The Pillars have many sculptures, which
include, Kundrakudi Adigalar, and Marudhu Brothers. 
ARCHITECTUREThe temple is constructed on a small hill, about 40 meters (
132 feet ) from the base. The steps start from the south. The 5-tier Rajagopuram
is at the end of the steps on the South side ( height 16.5 meters.). Idumban
sannidhi is after the Rajagopuram. An Ashtadikpalakas panel is on the ceiling
of a mandapam. All the mandapam ceilings are interconnected to form a single
mandapam. Mandapa pillars are in different styles with different styles of Pothiyals. Mandapa pillars have the bas reliefs of Marudhu Pandiyars, Adheenams,
Donor Chettiyars, etc,. Dravidian-style
Vimanams of Sri Kasi Viswanathar and Sri Murugan are above the ceiling.
Ashtadikpalakas
Periya Marudhu and Chinna Maruthu
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONSIt is believed that the original temple was constructed
during the Pandya period, during the 8th Century. But most of the structures
belong to the 17th to 18th Century and may have re constructed by
Maruthu Pandiyar’s period.
The inscription dated 03rd May 1979, under Periya
Marudhu sculpture records, as Sivagangai Seemai was ruled by him ( 1780 – 1801 CE ), He is very much fond of Lord Muruga
of this temple who cured his
“Rajapilavai” decease, This Malai
Koil / Hill temple was constructed by him, Marudhapuri Tank was created by him
and Thanga Kavacham / Gold kavasam for the Ursavars was gifted by him. Chinna
Marudhu was accompanied in all activities of Periya Marudhu.
Elephant was gifted by Ka. Ar. Ka. Kadappa Chettiar on 1st
February 1971.
The entrance arch foundation was laid on 9th
February 1931, by V R MA Alagu Pillai under the order of M R R Sreemath Deivasigamani
Ponnambala Desikar, Trustee of Piranmalai etc, Devasthanams and Thirukailayam Parambarai Tiruvannamalai Adheenam Maha Sannidhanam, who laid the
foundation.
Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 19th March 2014.
Donors
Kundrakudi AdigalarsLEGENDSIt is believed that the sage Agasthiyar and Pancha Pandavas worshiped
Sri Shanmuganathan / Murugan of this temple. Devotees used to conduct the
marriages in this temple. Devotees tonsure their children’s heads treating Murugan
as one of their Kula Deivam. Devotees offer Salt and Pepper to get relief
from skin deceases. Special prayers are Angapradakshinam and Adi Pradakshinam.
Devotees also pray to Murugan to remove marriage
obstacles, Child boon, to get relief from various problems, etc.
In one legend the Demon Soora and his men want to take
revenge on Devas. So they told to Peacock that the vahana Garuda of Maha Vishnu
and Swan of Brahma can fly at higher altitudes and faster. The peacock got angry and swallowed Garuda
and Swan. Maha Vishnu and Brahma appealed to Muruga to get released their
Vahanas. Due to this Peacock has got a curse from Maha Vishnu and Brahma. Peacock
came to this hill which is in the form of Peacock and worshiped Lord Muruga and
got relieved from its curse. 
Donors
POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONSApart from regular poojas special poojas are conducted on
Panguni uthiram ( March – April ), Thaipoosam in the month of Thai ( January –
February ), Kandhar Sashti, Vaikasi Visakam, Avani Moolam, and Pal Perukku Vizha. On Thaipusam day devotees carry Kavadi from far-off
places. People also offer pepper and
salt in the temple tank.
TEMPLE TIMINGSThe temple will be kept open between 07.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs
and 16.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.
CONTACT DETAILSThe Landline and mobile numbers +914577 264227 and +91
9790583820 may be contacted for further details.
HOW TO REACHThis
Murugan temple is in the heart of Kundrakudi and is about 12 KM from Karaikudi, 12
KM from Tirupattur, 42 KM from
Pudukkottai, 89 KM from Tiruchirappalli, and 414 KM from Chennai.Nearest
Railway station is Karaikudi.
LOCATION OF
THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE
---OM
SHIVAYA NAMA---
Ashtadikpalakas
Periya Marudhu and Chinna Maruthu
Donors
Kundrakudi Adigalars
Donors
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