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---

Sri Pushpavaneswarar Temple / Sri Poovananathar Temple / அருள்மிகு புஷ்பவனேஸ்வரர் திருக்கோயில், Tiruppuvanam, Sivaganga District, Tamil Nadu.

This is the 255^th  Thevara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam on the banks of river Vaigai and 11^th Sthalam in Pandya Naadu.

  

In PeriyaPuranam Sekkizhar mentions that Thirunavukkarasar  and Thirugnanasambandar, met third time before this temple’s visit. They came to the temple after worshiping Lord Shiva of Tirupattur. Sekkizhar also mentions that, from here Thirugnanasambandar reached Tirunelveli, after worshiping Lord Shiva of Thirukanaper ( Kalayarkoil ), Tiruchuli  and Courtallam temples.   

    பற்றார் தம்புரங்கள் மலைச் சிலையில் செற்ற

        பரமனார் திருப்புத்தூர் பணிந்து போந்து

    புற்றுஆரும் பணிபூண்ட புனிதனார் தம்

        பூவணத்தைப் புக்கு இறைஞ்சி புகழ்ந்து பாடிக்

    கற்றார்கள் தொழுது ஏத்தும் கானப்பேரும்

        கைதொழுது தமிழ்பாடிச் சுழியல் போற்றிக்

    குற்றாலம் குறும்பலாக் கும்பிட்டு ஏத்திக்

        கூற்று உதைத்தார் நெல்வேலிக் குறுகினாரே

...... பெரியபுராணம்... திருஞானசம்பந்தர்

    கொடிமாடம் நிலவு திருப்பூவணத்துக் கோயிலினுள்

    நெடியானுக்கு அறிவு அரியார் நேர்தோன்றல் கண்டு இறைஞ்சி

    வடிவேறு திரிசூலத் தாண்டகத்தால் வழுத்திப் போய்ப்

    பொடிநீடு திருமேனிப் புனிதர்பதி பிறபணிவார்

........ பெரிய புராணம் திருநாவுக்கரசு சுவாமிகள்

Thirugnanasambandar, Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal, Sundarar and Manickavasagar  has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple. Moovar worshiped Shiva from the opposite bank of Vaigai River, since they saw Siva lingam in each and every sand particles of the river ( This was not mentioned in Periya Puranam ).

    அறையார் புனலு மாமலரும்

        ஆடரவார் சடைமேல்

    குறையார் மதியும் சூடிமாதோர்

        கூறுடையான் இடமாம்

    முறையார் முடிசேர் தென்னர்சேரர்

        சோழர்கள் தாம் வணங்கும்

    திறையார் ஒளிசேர் செய்மையோங்கும்

        தென் திருப் பூவணமே

........ திருஞானசம்பந்தர்

    வடிவேறு திரிசூலந்தோன்றும் தோன்றும்

        வளர்சடை மேல் இளமதியம் தோன்றும் தோன்றும்

    கடியேறு கமழ் கொன்றைக் கண்ணி தோன்றுங்

        காதில் வெண் குழைதோடு கலந்து தோன்றும்

    இடியேறு களிற்றுரிவைப் போர்வை தோன்றும்

        எழில்திகழும் திருமுடியும் இலங்கித் தோன்றும்

    பொடியேறு திருமேனி பொலிந்து தோன்றும்

        பொழில் திகலும் பூவணத்தெம் புனிதனார்க்கே

........ திருநாவுக்கரசு சுவாமிகள்

    எண்ணியிருந்து கிடந்து நடந்தும்

    அன்ணல் எனாநினைவார் வினைதீர்ப்பார்

    பண்ணிசையார் மொழியார் பலர் பாடப்

    புன்னியனார் உரை பூவணம் ஈதோ

........ சுந்தரர்

                                -“மோனருளே

    பூவணமும் பூமணமும் போல அமர்ந்த்திருப்

    பூவணத்திலானந்தப் பொக்கிஷமே

........ வள்ளலார் திரு அருட்பா

   "இந்திர ஞாலம் காட்டிய இயல்பினாய் போற்றி

    உத்தரகோச மங்கை வித்தக வேடா போற்றி

    பூவண மதனிற் தூவண மேனி காட்டிய தொன்மையோய் போற்றி

    வாதவூரில் பாதச் சிலம்பொலி காட்டிய பண்பா போற்றி

    திருவார் பெருந்துறை செல்வா போற்றி்

......மாணிக்கவாசகர்

    பூவணங் கோயில் கொண்டெனை யாண்ட

        புனிதனை வனிதை பாகனை வெண்

    கோவணங் கொண்டு வெண்டலை யேந்தும்

        குழகனை யழகெலா நிறைந்த

    தீவணன் றன்னைச் செழுமறை தெரியு

        திகழ்கரு வூரனே னுரைத்த

    பாவணத் தமிழ்கள் பத்தும்வல் லார்கள்

        பரமன துருவமா குவரே. (பாடல் - 151)

........கருவூர் தேவர்

Moolavar  : Sri Pushpavaneswarar, Sri Poovananathar.

Consort    : Sri SoundaryaNayagi,   Sri Minnanayal.

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

The temple is facing east with a 5 tier Rajagopuram. Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam and Rishabam  are in a mandapam after the Rajagopuram. Rishabam is not straight line with Moolavar. ( believed to be Moved for Moovar’s darshan ). Moolavar is of swayambhu.  On back side of the moolavar Thiruvasi is lit with 27 lamps, which signifies the 27 nakshatras and believed to be of moksha deepam for the departed souls. Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of ardha mandapam. In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma and Durgai.

In the inner prakaram Baskara Vinayagar, Subramaniyar Suryan, Maha Vishnu as Sayana Perumal, Nalvar, 63var, Saptamatrikas, Mahalakshmi, Chandran, Chandikeswarar  and Navagrahas. In Sabha mandapam Natarajar is made of single stone, little big with a beautiful look. Patanjali and Vyaghrapada and Procession deities of Natarajar and Sivakami  are in the Natarajar Sabha.

Ambal is in a separate temple facing the same direction of Moolavar with an entrance arch. The Stucco image of Lord Shiva with Parvati, Vinayagar and Murugan are on the arch. The arch entrance is kept closed and main Rajagopuram entrance is alone used.

The 15^th Century Arunagirinathar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Muruga of this temple

    தனத்தான தத்தத் தனதானா

            தனத்தான தத்தத் தனதானா

    அறப்பாவை அத்தற்   கருள்பாலா

            அளித்தாது வெட்சித் திருமார்பா

    குறப்பாவை அற்பிற் புணர்வோனே

            குலத்தேவ வர்க்கப்     பரிபாலா

    மறப்பாத கத்துற் றுழல்வேனோ

            மலர்த்தாள்வ ழுத்தக் க்ருபையீவாய்

    சிறப்பான முத்திக் கொருவாழ்வே

            திருப்பூவ ணத்திற்     பெருமாளே

ARCHITECTURE

The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala, artha mandapam and maha mandapam. In addition to this there are Kambathadi mandapam, Nalamaharajan mandapam, Thiruvachi Mandapam and a 6 Pillar mandapam.

HISTORY & INSCRIPTIONS

Since this is one of the Thevara Paadal Petra Sthalam, the temple might have been existed before 7^th Century, latter reconstructed / renovated during Pandyas, Chozhas and Vijayanagaras.

Thirubhuvana Chakravarthi Konerimaikondan period inscription ( AR No, 17 of 1894, SII, V- 305 ) records that the king issued an order to Thandal Nayakams ( Revenue collectors ) to give 450 pon per year as devadanam to this Thirupuvanamudaya Nayanar Temple. This may be recorded in their accounts and in  the Temple accounts. This order was written and signed by Anjaloorudayan and Sundara Pandya Pallavarayan.  

The Pandya King Parakrama Pandya’s 9^th year reign inscription ( AR No, 17-A of 1894, SII, V- 306 ) records the revenue 450 pon to be divided in in to 3/4^th and 1/4^th portions.. This may the continuation of the previous inscription. 

The pandya King Konerimaikondan’s 7^th year reign inscription records the donation of Land to this temple.

The Pandya King Konerimaikondan Kulasekaran  period inscriptions records the endowment to Veda parayana and feed to 1008 Brahmins, Celebrations / functions for which a Land was donated to this temple.

Pandya Period cheppedu / Copper plate mentions the Rajakembeera Chathurvedi mangalam and a donation of 25  kasu was made to the Sabhai.   

The Chozha King Aditya ( 870 -907 CE ) inscription records the endowment of burning a perpetual lamp, Theerthavari, Thirumanjanam / abhishekam, on auspicious days in Tamil month Purattasi ( Sep – Oct ) in the temple .

Uthama Chozha ( 970- 985 CE ) inscription records the maintenance  and worship of Pushpavaneswarar and Varadharaja Perumal afforded to 4 able man ( ?).

The Chozha King Rajaraja-I, ( 985 – 1014 CE ) inscription records that the Village Manali was gifted to this temple’s shrine built by Chembiyan Mahadevi.

Rajendra Chozha-I’s period ( 1014 – 1044 CE ) inscription records the expansion of Maha Vishnu Shrine.

LEGENDS

Brahma, Maha Vishnu & Maha Lakshmi, King Nala, Gautama Maharishi, Sun, Agasthiyar and Korakkar Siddhar worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple. This place was called as Pushpavanakasi, Pithur moksha puram, Baskara puram, Lakshmipuram, Brahmapuram and Rasavatha puram. 

As per the sthala purana written by 17^th Century  ( Saka 1543 ie 1621 CE )  Kandasamy Pulavar who translated from Sanskrit version. As per the sthala purana, Darumagnanan ( தருமஞ்ஞன் ), a scholar of 4 vedas carried his father Vedasharma’s asthi from Vervanam a place on the banks of river Thamirabarani to dissolve in the Ganga river  with his disciple. On the way they stayed at this place. Darumagnanan, took bath in Manikannigai theertham. Since the rain started, Darumagnanan hurriedly came to the shore, accidently his leg tripped the pot. The Asthi pot fell in to the  Theertha tank. When he opened and seen that the bones were turned to lotus flowers. When he told this incidence to the Munivars who stayed in this pace. They told that his father had attained the mukthi. Darumagnanan prayed Lord Shiva of this temple. Lord Shiva appeared before him in the form of rishabarooder and blessed him.

An another legend of the same sthala purana,... Ponnanayal, a dancer  and an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva,  spent all her money earned for annadhanam to the Sivanadiyars.   She wishes to make a Shiva Idol out of gold  for worship at Tiruppuvanam Temple. When all the money earned was not spent for annadhanam, where to go for Gold?. She prayed to Lord Shiva who gave gold pack ( porkili ) to Kulapooda Pandya, to give her too.

Knowing the wish of his Devotee Lord Shiva of Madurai Somasundarar came to Tiruppuvanam in the form of a Siddhar. When Lord Shiva was asked to take annadhanam, Lord Shiva asked Ponnanayal to come before him. Ponnanayal came, prayed Siddhar and asked  him to take annadhanam. Seeing her sorrow face Lord Shiva asked her, why She is so sad?. Ponnanayal told her wish of making a Golden Shiva idol for worship and she do not know how to get the gold for the same, since  the money earned was spent completely towards annadhanam. She also told that she had made ready the mould with wax too.   

Lord Shiva sprinkled vibhuti on all the vessels brought from her home and asked her to  melt and told that all vessels will turn to Gold. When asked to stay that night for making copper / brass / bronze vessels in to gold through rasavatham, Lord Shiva declined and disappeared saying “ yam madhuraiyil vilangum siddaravom – யாம் மதுரையில் விளங்கும் சித்தராவோம்”. The verse from the  36^th Thiruvilayadal Puranam is as below ..... 

  

   சித்தமூர்த்திகள் இரசவாதம் புரிதல்

   வைத்த வேறுவே றுலோகமு மழுவுழை கரந்த

    சித்த சாமிக ணீற்றினைச் சிதறினர் பாவித்

    தித்தை நீயிரா வெரியிலிட் டெடுக்கினன் பொன்னாம்

    அத்தை நாயகன் றிருவுருக் கொள்கென வறைந்தார்

Ponnanayal realised that the Siddhar is, Lord Shiva only. With the gold, She made Shiva’s idol, admiring the beauty, she pinched the cheeks. The pinch marks can be seen on the moolavar even now. The 36^th Chapter of Thiruvilayadal puranam deals with  this alchemy of moolavar. The song below, shows that how she admired Lord Shiva’s Golden Idol and the thiruvizha of Chariot procession.

   மழவிடை யுடையான் மேனி வனப்பினை நோக்கி யச்சோ

   அழகிய பிரானோ வென்னா வள்ளிமுத் தங்கொண் டன்பிற்

    பழகிய பிரானை யானாப் பரிவினாற் பதிட்டை செய்து

    விழவுதேர் நடாத்திச் சின்னாள் கழிந்தபின் வீடு பெற்றாள்

The Ponnanaiyal’s pinch mark, Jada mudi and Thirisoolam / trident can be seen during aarti ( The same was mentioned by Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal in his theveram on this temple, as வடிவேறு திரிசூலந்தோன்றும் தோன்றும் வளர்சடை மேல் இளமதியம் தோன்றும் தோன்றும்).

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from Regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on Pradosham, Maha Shivaratri, Vaikasi Visakam in May – June, Aadi Mulaikottu procession in – July – August, Navaratri in September -  October, Aippasi Kolattam in Oct – November, Thirukarthigai in Nov- December, Arudra Darshan in Margazhi, December- January and Panguni 10 days Brahmotsavam March -  April.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept opened between 06.00 hrs to 11.00 hrs and 16.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS :

Archakar may be contacted  on his land line or mobile  + 91 4575 265082, 265084 and +91 94435 01761 for further details.

HOW TO REACH : 

Town buses are available from Mattuthavani Bus stand. Buses from Madurai to Manamadurai passes through Tiruppuvanam.

The temple is 20 KM from Madurai,  28 KM from Manamadurai, 29 KM from Sivaganga, 47 KM from Kalayarkoil and 456 KM from Chennai.

Tiruppuvanam is on the Madurai to Manamadurai Train route and nearest Railway Station is Tiruppuvanam

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---