Tenkasi District Temples

STATE/ DISTRICT	PLACE	DESCRIPTION
Tenkasi Dist	Courtallam	Arulmigu Kutralanathar Temple
Tenkasi Dist	Tenkasi	Sri Kasi Viswanathar Temple

Arulmigu Kutralanathar Temple / Arulmigu Coutralanathar Swamy Temple / குற்றாலநாதர் கோவில், குற்றாலம், Kutralam / Courtallam, Tenkasi District, Tamil Nadu.

This is the 257^th Thevara Paadal Petra Shiva sthalam  and 13^th Shiva Sthalam in Pandya Naadu. This place was called as Courtallam and Kurumpala.  Also called in different names like Thirikoodachalam, Thirikooda malai, etc. Thirikooda Rasappa Kavirayar’s Thalapurana of this temple praises this place as “வானரங்கள் கனி கொடுத்து மந்தொயொடு கொஞ்சும்..” This Chitra Sabha, is one of the Pancha Sabha where Lord Shiva Danced. ( Chitra – Drawing ).

As per Sekkizhar's Periya Puranam, Thirugnanasambandar went to the temples Tirupattur, Tiruppuvanam and Tiruchuli, 3^rd time after he met Thirunavukkarasar. Whether Appar went along with him is not known. It was also mentioned that Appar had bee to Thirupugalur and Tirunelveli, in that Courtrallam is not mentioned.

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

Thirugnanasambadar, Appar, Manickavasagar, Pattinathar, Vallalar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple. The Sthalapurana also praises Lord Shiva of this temple.

வம்பார் குன்றம் நீடுயர்சாரல் வளர் வேங்கைக்

    கொம்பார் சோலைக் கோலவண்டியாழ் செய்குற்றாலம்

அம்பா னெய்யோடாடலமர்ந்தான் அலர் கொன்றை

    நம்பான்மேய நன்னகர் போலும் நமரங்காள்

திருந்தமதி சூடித் தெண்ணீர் சடைக்கரந்து தேவிபாகம்

    பொருந்திப் பொருந்தாத வேடத்தாற் காடுறைதல் புரிந்த செல்வர்

இருந்த இடம் வினவில் ஏலங் கமழ் சோலையின வண்டியாழ் செய்

    குருந்த மண நாறுங் குன்றிடஞ் சூழ் தண்சாரற்குறும் பலாவே

....... திருஞானசம்பந்தர்

உற்றார் ஆருளரே – உயிர்

    கொண்டுபோம் பொழுது

குற்றாலத்துறை கூத்தனல்லால் நமக்கு

    உற்றார் ஆருளரோ

...... அப்பர்- திருவங்கமாலை

உற்றாரையான் வேண்டேன் ஊர்வேண்டேன் பேர்வேண்டேன்

கற்றாரையான் வேண்டேன் கற்பனவும் இனி அமையும்

குற்றாலத்தமர்ந்துறையும் கூத்தா உன் குரைகழற்கே

கற்றாவின் மனம் போலக் கசிந்துருக வேண்டுவனே

...... மாணிக்கவாகர் – திருவாசகம்

காலன் வருமுன்னே கண்பஞ்சடைமுன்னே

பாலுண் கடைவாய் படுமுன்னே – மேல் விழுந்தே

உற்றார் அழுமுன்னே ஊரார் சுடுமுன்னே

குற்றாலத் தானையே கூறு

.......பட்டினத்தார்

                                                -“பண்செழிப்பக்

கற்றாலங் குண்மைக் கதிதருமென்றற்றவர்சூழ்

குற்றாலத் தன்பர் குதூகலிப்பே”

....... திரு அருட்பா

சுற்றாத ஊர்தேடிச் சுற்றவேண்டாம் புலவீர்

குற்றாலமென்றொரு காற்கூறின் – வற்றா

வடவருவியானே மறு பிறவிச் சேற்றில்

நடவருவியானே நமை.

........ குற்றாலக் குறவஞ்சி

Moolavar  : Arulmigu Kutralanathar, Sri Kurumbalaeesar,

                 Sri Thirikoodachalapathy, Sri Thirikoodaleswarar.

                 Arulmigu Courtrallanathar Swamy Temple

Consort    : Sri Kuzhalvai Mozhiammai , Sri Venuvaakkuvahini.

Some of the important features of this temple are….

The temple is facing east with a 3 tier Rajagopuram. There are beautiful stucco images on the Rajagopuram with 3 Kalasas. Dwajasthambam, Rishabam and Balipeedam are after the Rajagopuram in vasantha mandapam. The temple is in the shape of conch ( Sangu ). The moolavar is small/ short. In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy ( not in the niche ), Mahavishnu in place of Lingothbavar. In the artha mandapam Urchavars and Natarajar Sabha.

In the inner prakaram Kumbamuni, Brahma, Saptamatrikas, Suradevar, Ayyanar, Brahmi, Thurayanar, Mahavishnu, Narasimhar, Kanni Vinayagar, Chandran, Vanmeekanathar, Jambukeswarar, Annamalaiyar, Kalathiappar, Thirumoolanathar ( Very small moortham ), Ramalingar, Subramaniyar, Chandikeswarar, Shaniswarar and Suryan.

In the outer prakaram Ambal is in a separate temple with a Rishabam and Balipedam are in front (  Kailasa Nathar and Durgai are in the Ambal temple’s prakaram  ) on the right side of moolavar sannadhi, Kurumbala Nathar ( from here we could hear the sound of main falls ), 63var, Nannagara perumal, Pabhanasar with Ulagamman, Nellaiappar with Gandhimathi, Manakolanathar, Narumbunathar, Sankaralingam, Palvannanathar, Chokkalingam with Meenakshi, Dharmasastha, Mathunatheswarar with Aramvalarthamman, Agasthiyar, Vasuki, Somalingam, Maha Lingam, Sakasralingam, Kashi Viswanathar with Visalakshi, Shivalaya Munivar ( 2 steps below the ground level ), Parasakthi Peedam and Navagrahas. The Main falls top view can be seen, near one of the sannadhi on the south side.

The maha mandapam pillars are with Chinna Pattar and Periyapattar Kings reliefs, who built this temple.  

This temple has two parts. One is this temple and the other is Chitra sabai which is about ½ a KM from the main temple.

 

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

கொத்தார்கத லிப்ப ழக்குலை

வித்தாரவ ருக்கை யிற்சுளை

கொத்தோடுதி ரக்கு தித்தெழு                       கயலாரங்

கொட்டாசுழி யிற்கொ ழித்தெறி

சிற்றாறுத னிற்க ளித்திடு

குற்றாலரி டத்தி லுற்றருள்                          பெருமாளே

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

Since Thirugnanasambandar has sung Hymns the temple might have been built before 7^th Century. Latter the temple was reconstructed and extended during  Chozhas, Pandyas and Vijayanagaras. As per the Temple web site The present sanctum sanctorum was constructed ( re-construction ) by Rajarajan. Historians claims that there was a Maha Vishnu temple on the left side of the moolavar sannadhi.  During Pandya’s period Sanctum Sanctorum, Arthamandapam, Mahamandapam, Ambal Kuzhalvai Mozhiammai Sannadhi and Pillayar Kattalai mandapam were built.  During Nayak’s period  Paraskathi Sannadhi, Sangu/ conch prakara, inner prakara, Compound wall are built.  Thirikooda mandapam ( 100 pillar mandapa ), Pasupirai, Thattodi, Vaitheeyappa Vilasam, the front mandapam of kuzhalvai mozhi Amman, sangu prakaram  and paving of floor with stone in the vasantha prakaram / mandapam, were built by the Vadakarai Aathikkam Chokkampatti. During 1925 CE, Aralvaimozhi Temple was renovated  with the public participation.

There were about 89 inscriptions recorded from this temple. The earliest inscription belongs to Parantaka-I ( 927 – 943 CE). As per the inscriptions Lord Shiva was called as Thiru Kutrala Perumal, Kutrala devan, Mahadevan. The inscriptions manly records the endowments of burning perpetual lamps for which gifts were made like, cow, goat/ sheep, money etc,.  There was a mention about the eclipse and sacred bathing of the deities.

Pandya King Parakrama Pandya’s father 31^st year’s ethir 2^nd year ie 33^rd year reign inscription ( AR 203 of 1895, SII Vol-V, 767 ) records that he had send his son, to this temple to solve the dispute between the Butters, since the poojas was  stopped. During the inquiry the Butters didn’t extend co-operation which made him angry. Parakrama Pandya made suitable changes in the land gifted to them as irayili and doing pooja of one day as a share per Buttars group.

The next inscription,  Pandya King Parakrama Pandya’s  31^st year’s ethir 4^th year ie 35^th year reign inscription ( AR 204 of 1895, SII Vol-V, 768 ) also records the same dispute between the Batters  and pooja was stopped. The King once again made Changes in the Pooja schedule between them and suitable adjustment also done in the Irayili land. The Order was issued by the king in the form of palm leaf / olai message.

Pandya Kings Maran Chadayan’s 4^th year & 360^th day reign inscription ( AR 480 of 1917, SII XIV- 4) records the endowment of burning a perpetual lamp by Maran Achchan probably a petty Chief,  of Poliyur of Tiruppattur.

A Vattezhu inscription 2+7^th year of Chadayan Maran  ( AR 416 of 1917, SII XIV- 53 ) records the endowment... incomplete...

The Pandya King Ko Chadayan Maran’s 2+9^th year inscription ( AR 417 of 1917, SII XIV- 57 ) records the endowment of burning a half (1/2 ) perpetual lamp by Ayyakuttan of Idavai Manni Nadu  for which 3 saava moova buffaloes were gifted to this temple.

A Vattezhuthu inscription of Pandya King Sadaiyan Maran’s 2+9^th year reign ( AR 418 of 1917, SII XIV- 58 ) records the endowment of  burning a perpetual lamp for which 6 saava moova  buffaloes were gifted by Vandaalai  KonAn of Nallur Pandi Kudikudi.

The Pandya King Sadaiyan Maran’s  2+15^th year reign inscription ( AR 440 of 1917, SII XIV- 66 ) records the  ... becoming the managing the temple affairs by a Pasupatha sect... the inscription is incomplete and damaged in many portions.

In a lattest inscription dated Kollam 1108 ( Sri muga year Ani 19^th ) records that thirupani was done and mahakumbhabhishekam was conducted by Kasi Viswanatha Chettiyar of Devakottai. 

LEGENDS

It is believed that the sage Agasthiyar had changed the Mahavishnu murti in to a Shiva Linga. The legend goes like this.... During the celestial wedding, all the Devas, Maharishis gathered at Kailash Due to this the north went down and south raised up. To balance the earth Lord Shiva asked Agasthiyar  to go to South. On the was Agasthiyar installed many Shiva Lingas and worshiped. Finally he reached this Thirikooda malai or Podhikai hills. He was not allowed to enter inside the temple by the Dwarapalakas. Ilanji Kumaran came to his rescue and made him to enter in to the temple. Agasthiyar transformed the Mahavishnu murti in to Shiva Linga, by saying 'kuru kuru kutralanathre !', which was initially in the sanctum. Agasthiyar's finger prints are on the Moolavar. He also changed Sridevi in to Kuzhalvai Mozhiyammai,  and Bhoodevi in to Parasakthi.

POOJAS & CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on Pradosham, Maha Shivaratri, Panguni Uthram, Thai month maha nakshathra day theppotsavam, Kanda sashti festival, Aipasi Thirukalyanam festival, Avani moolam festival, Adi moolam patra deepam festival, 10 days Markazhi thiruvathirai festival, 9 days Navaratri festival and 10 days Chithirai Vishu festival.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple is open between 06.00 Hrs to 12.00 Hrs and 16.30 Hrs to 20.00 Hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS:

The phone numbers of the temple are 283318 and 283398 and mobile number is 9488374077.

Web site :   http://www.courtrallanathar.tnhrce.in/

HOW TO REACH:

The temple is close to the Main falls at Courtallam can be reached easily from Tenkasi. The place Tenkasi is on the bus and train route to Shenkottai from Tirunelveli, Madurai, Chennai etc.

Podhigai express passes through Tenkasi.

Lot of Town and mini buses are available to Courtallam from Thenkasi during Chaaral season and frequency is less during non season.

The temple is 7.5 KM from Tenkasi & Shenkottai, 20.5 KM from Kadayanallur, 73 KM from Rajapalayam, 65 KM from Tirunelveli, 154 KM from Madurai and 623 KM from Chennai.

Nearest Railway Station is Tenkasi.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

Saptamatrikas

Sangu - conch shape of the temple ( PC - Temple web )

CHITRA SABHA, COURTALLAM

The Chitra Sabhai, is about a ½ a KM from the main temple after climbing steps to a distance of 50 meters. The Sabha is open to public and the entrance fee was Rs 10.  

சக்தி பீடத்தின்மேவும் தாரகப் பிரமம் போற்றி

முத்தி தந்தருள வேண்டி முளைத்தருள் முதலே போற்றி

யத்திர விழி பண்பாட வந்தரப்பேரியார்ப்பச்

சித்திர சபையிலாடுந் தெய்வ நாயகனே போற்றி

........ தலபுராணம்

Some of the features of this sabha are….

The Chitra Sabhai is one of the 5 Sabhas, where Lord Shiva danced. ( The other Places are, Rathna Sabha - Thiruvalangadu, Velli Ambalam - Madurai - Thamira (Copper ) Sabha - Tirunelveli and Gold ambalam - Chidambaram )a separate temple and temple tank is in front with a neerazhi mandapam. There is no pictures in the front mandapam of  Chitra sabhai. Learned that the Chitrams / paintings were drawn using the natural herbs. The Sabai is in the form of a temple with thamira  / copper plated  roof with 8 kalasas on the top.

In the outer side / prakara Paintings of Oorthuva Thandavar, Bhathra Kali, Murugan, Soorapadman, Singamugan, Dharahan, Manmathan, Rathi, The front mandapa is with kodungai looks beautiful.

In the Inner prakara Various forms of Durga, Veerabhadra, Gajendramoksham, Thiruvilayadal Purana, 63 var images, Maha Vishnu as Ananda Padmanabha, Hiranya Samharam, Various form of Bhairavas and Shani Bhagwan,

Sabha inner has the paintings of Natarajar With Sivakami, and Devas worshiping Lord Shiva,  Lord Shiva With Parvati Thirukalyanam, Kutralanathar gives darshan to sage Agasthiyar, Subramaniyar, Vinayagar’s various postures, etc.  On 8^th day peruvizha Lord Shiva will come to Chitra Sabha. Wooden reliefs / sirpam of Vinayagars can also be seen.

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---