Shanmughanathar Temple / Kundrakudi Murugan Temple/ Kunnakudi Murugan Temple / அருள்மிகு சண்முகநாதர் ஆலயம் ( மயூரகிரிநாதன் ) , Kunnakudi / Kundrakudi, Sivaganga District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Shanmuganathar Temple at Kundrakudi near Karaikudi was a part of structural and Rock Cut cave  Shiva and Vishnu temples visit in Tiruchirappalli, Pudukkottai and Sivagangai Districts, on 21^st November 2021. Since Murugan temple is located on a small hill this place was called as Kundrakudi, latter the same was got corrupted to the present name of Kunnakudi. This place was also called as Mayuragiri, Mayilmalai, etc,. To prove it is believed that the hill resembles like Peacock at certain angle. 

  

The 15^th 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                                மொழியாலே

அடிது வண்ட தண்டை கலிலெ னுஞ்சி லம்பொ

        டணிச தங்கை கொஞ்சு                                 நடையாலே

சுழியெ றிந்து நெஞ்சு சுழல நஞ்ச ணைந்து

        தொடுமி ரண்டு கண்க                                     ளதனாலே

துணைநெ ருங்கு கொங்கை மருவு கின்ற பெண்கள்

        துயரை யென்றொ ழிந்து                               விடுவேனோ

எழுது கும்ப கன்பி னிளைய தம்பி நம்பி

        யெதிர டைந்தி றைஞ்சல்                              புரிபோதே

இதம கிழ்ந்தி லங்கை யசுர ரந்த ரங்க

        மொழிய வென்ற கொண்டல்                       மருகோனே

மழுவு கந்த செங்கை அரனு கந்தி றைஞ்ச

        மநுவி யம்பி நின்ற                                            குருநாதா

வளமி 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 and entrance arch. 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 on some places. Moolavar Murugan with Srivalli Devasena are 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 has many sculptures, which includes, Kundrakudi adigalar, Marudhu Brothers.

 

ARCHITECTURE

The temple is constructed on a small hill, about 40 meters ( 132 feet ) from the base. The steps starts from 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 has the bas reliefs of Marudhu Pandiyars, Adheenams, Donor Chettiyars, etc,.  Dravidian style Vimanams of Sri Kasi Viswanathar and Sri Murugan’s are above the ceiling.

 Ashtadikpalakas

Periya Marudhu and Chinna Maruthu

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

It is believed that the original temple was constructed during Pandya period, during 8^th Century. But most of the structures belongs to 17^th to 18^th Century, may be re constructed by Maruthu Pandiyar’s period.

The inscription dated 03^rd 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 1^st February 1971.

The entrance arch foundation was laid on 9^th 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 19^th March, 2014.

Donors

Kundrakudi Adigalars

LEGENDS

It 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 head treating Murugan as one of their Kula Deivam. Devotees offer Salt and Pepper to get relieved from skin deceases. Special prayers are Angapradakshinam and Adi pradakshinam.

Devotees also pray to Murugan for removing marriage obstacles, Child boon, to get relieved from various problems, etc.

In one legend the Demon Soora and his men wants to take revenge on Devas. So they told to Peacock that the vahana Garuda of Maha Vishnu and Swan of Brahma can fly 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 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 CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas special poojas are conducted on Panguni uthiram ( March – April ), Thaipoosam in the month 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 offers pepper and salt in the temple tank.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 16.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

The Land line and mobile number +914577 264227 and +91 9790583820 may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH

This Murugan temple is in the heart of Kundrakudi 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---