The visit to Sri Subramania
Swamy Temple at Kurukkuthurai, Tirunelveli, was a part of “Tirunelveli Heritage
Walk”, organised by CultureCircuits, from 11th to 13th
July 2025. Thanks to Balakumaran G S and Krishnakumar TK for arranging this walk.
This Sri Subramania Swamy temple is on the island, right in the middle
of the river, formed by the Tamirabarani River. A stone slab footbridge is
constructed to reach the temple from the north bank. When the flood is moderate, the
water will flow below the footbridge.
Moolavar :
Sri Subramanian
Consort :
Sri Valli and Devasena
Some of the Salient features of this temple are….
The temple faces east with a mandapam and a 3-tier
Rajagopuram. Stucco images of Sri Valli Deva Sena Subramaniar are on the top of
the mandapam. Peacock vahana, Balipeedam, & Dwajasthambam are in the
mandapam. Vinayagar and Murugan on the peacock are in the Mani mandapam/ mukha
mandapam. Dwarapalakas Veerabahu and Veera Mahendran are at the entrance of the sanctum sanctorum. A Peacock vahana is in front of the sanctum sanctorum. In the sanctum sanctorum, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar. Moolavar, with his consorts, is in the form of bas-reliefs. Subramaniar is with 4 hands, holds Sakti ayutham
and vajrayutham in the upper hands, and lower hands are in abhaya varada hastam.
In koshtam Dakshinamurthy.
In ardha mandapam, a Shiva Lingam (Nellaiappar) and
Ambal (Gandhimathi Ammai), and Utsavars.
In the praharam, Vinayagar, Murugan, Chandikeswarar,
Kalabairavar, Saniswarar, Utsavars, and bas reliefs of Shiva Lingam and Ambal sculptures
on the boulder.
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ARCHITECTURE
The temple consists of the sanctum sanctorum, ardha
mandapam, maha mandapam, and mukha mandapam / Mani mandapam. Since Moolavar with
his consorts is sculpted on the rock, the sanctum sanctorum was built on the
boulders, without following any architectural style. A vesara vimanam is
constructed on the sanctum sanctorum. The vimanam is with a upari tala, greevam, and sigaram. Sri Murugan’s various postures are in the greeva koshtams.
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
Since the boulders and rocks available, where the
present temple is located suitable for sculpting the Deity images, this place
is called “Thiruvurumamalai - திருவுருமாமலை”, திருவுரு – image
of deity.
The sculptor had made the Subramaniar with his
consorts as a bas relief on the boulder. The villagers who came to take a bath
and wash clothes worshipped these bas-reliefs. Later, the same was taken
over by the Thiruvaduthurai Adheenam. During the 16th – 17th
century, the Vijayanagara period, Vadamalai Pillai built the temple, treating the
bas-reliefs as Moolavar. Vadamalaiappa Pillai was a tax collector in the Tirunelveli
Mukkoodal region and a Chieftain under Madurai Thirumalai Nayakar. He was known
by different names like Iraiyur Vadamalai Naranakudai, Vadamalai Pillaian,
etc.
1125th (?)year Panguni month 18th
day, A Golden spear studded with diamond and green stone, a Rudraksha studded
with red stone, and a Red and Pavala
garland knitted with gold wire were gifted to this Subramaniya Swamy Temple,
which belongs to Thiruvaduthurai Adheenam, by T.N. Chidambaram Pillai’s wife, Mrs. Kanaka Sankara Vadivammal.
Rajagopuram was constructed and consecrated on 09th
September 1949. Ashta bandhana maha kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 09th
September 1949, 21st August 1989, and 2nd July 2003.
Electrical lighting was provided on 14th
June 1950, by Kandanur Pazhaniappa Chettiar.
When the Utsav deity (a deity used for processions)
was stolen by the Dutch people, similar to the Thiruchendur Temple Utsavar, a new one
was made by Vadamalaiappa Pillai. Since the stolen idol was salvaged, and so
the newly-made one was erected in Kurukuthurai.
Vadamalaiappa Pillai (?) or Donor
LEGENDS
As per the Legend, the Tiruchendur Senthil Andavar
temple’s moolavar and consorts are made out of the rock of this place. The
Sculptor had sculpted two sets of sculptures, of which one set is installed at Thiruchendur
and the other set is installed at Mela Kurukkuthurai Subramaniar
Temple.
POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are
conducted on Vaikasi Visakam, Thai Poosam, etc.
During the rainy season, the Utsavars will be
shifted to Mela Kurukkuthurai Subramaniar temple, and worship will be continued till the flood subsides.
TEMPLE TIMINGS
The temple will be kept open from 06.00 hrs to
11.00 hrs and from 17.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.
CONTACT DETAILS
The Gurukkal may be contacted on his mobile +9194427
23205 for further details.
HOW TO REACH
This temple at Kurukkuthurai is 2.6 km from
Junction, 3 km from Sri Nellaiappar temple, 8 km from Tirunelveli new bus
stand, 54 km from Thoothukudi, 56 km from Tenkasi, and 159 km from Madurai.
The nearest Railway Station is Tirunelveli
Junction.
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE
PC - website,
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---
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