Visited on: 23rd July, 2016 and 17th November, 2016.
Location
Kurumanakkudi is situated at a distance of about 6 kms to the south-east of Vaitheeswaran Koil. From Vaitheeswaran Koil travel towards Mayiladuthurai for about 3 kms to reach village Pakasalai and from there take the diversion road and proceed further for about 2 kms to reach this temple.
Other Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams near this place are –
Vaitheeswaran Koil, Thiruppunkur, Thiru Karuppariyalur, Thiru Korukkai, Thiru Kurakkukka, Thiru Vazhkoliputhur, Needur, Anniyur, Mayiladuthurai, Thiru Nintriyur, Thiru Nani Palli and Thiru Kadaimudi
General information
- Moolavar
- Sri Kannayiram Udayar Sri Kannayira Nathar,
Sri Sahasranethreswarar - Ambal
- Sri Murugu Valarkothai Nayaki, Sri Kodaiyammai,
Sri Sugantha Kundhalambikai - Theertham (Holy water)
- Indra Theertham
- Sthala Vriksham (Sacred Tree)
- Sarakkontrai tree
- Pathigam (Hymn) rendered by
- Saint Thirugnanasambanthar
- This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 17th Shiva Sthalam on the northern bank of the river Cauvery in Chozha Nadu (Vadakarai).
- Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested).
- This east facing temple has two corridors. It does not have a main tower (Rajagopuram) but in its place there is a beautiful arch.
- The last consecration ceremony (Maha Kumbabishekam) took place on 09.02.2004.
History of the temple
This ancient temple is believed to be more than 2000 years old.
One of the stone inscriptions here, which dates back to the period of Chola King Rajarajan, refers to this place as “Kuru Vaniyakkudi”.
This temple is under the administrative control of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of Government of Tamil Nadu (HR&CE).
Legend
The legend is that once Lord Indra, the king of Devas, committed a sin by deceiving Ahalya, wife of Sage Gowthama. Ahalya is believed to be the most beautiful woman ever created by Brahma. She was handed over to the sage. One day when the sage was away, Indra took the form of the sage and had illicit affairs with his wife. Although she realised that this man was not her husband, yet she indulged in the sin. The sage returned to his hermitage and understood what had happened. Indra immediately took the form of a cat and tried to run away. The furious sage cursed Indra that he would be reduced to a eunuch with a thousand vaginas on his body. The sage’s curse also reduced Ahalya into a stone. When Ahalya pleaded to the sage for forgiveness, he told her that as soon as Lord Ram’s feet touched her, she will be relieved from this curse. Ramayan narrates the story of how Ahalya was relieved of this curse when Lord Ram’s feet touch the stone.
Indra was advised by Lord Brahma to come to this place (Kurumanakkudi) and worship Lord Shiva. Indra came here, created a Theertham and worshiped the lord. Lord Shiva condoned Indra’s wrong doings but forgave him and took all the marks on Indra’s body upon himself. Further, the marks on Indra’s body were transformed into eyes. Since Lord Shiva took the marks upon himself, he is regarded as the thousand-eyed god. The lingam still bears these marks. Hence the lord here is praised as Sri Sahasranethreswarar (“Sahasram” means one thousand and “nethram” means eyes) and Sri Kannayiramudaiyar.
Another legend associated with this place is that of Lord Mahavishnu. When he took the “Vamana Avtar” (“Kuru Maan” – dwarf priest), he came to this place and worshiped the lord here to seek his blessings before going to King Mahabali’s court. Hence this place also gets the name Kurumaanikkudi (“kuruki” means short, “Maani” means Vishnu and “kudi” means village in Tamil).
It is believed that Saints Maandavya, Manickavasakar, Sekkizhar and Ramalinga Adigalar have worshiped the lord here.
Deities in the temple
Other than the shrines of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy, shrines and idols of Siddhi Vinayakar, Murugan with his consorts, Mahalakshmi, Bhairavar, Saneeswarar, Suryan, Chandran, Nalvar and Kanni Vinayakar can be seen in the main hall and corridors.
In the “koshtam” (place surrounding the sanctum sanctorum), idols of Narthana Vinayakar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingodhbhavar, Brahma, Durgai and Chandikeswarar can be seen.
Procession idols of Vinayakar, Murugan, Natarajar, Somaskandar and others are kept in the main hall.
At the entrance of the sanctum, on either side, shrines of Kudavarai Vinayagar and Bala Dhandayuthapani can be seen.
In front of this temple, on the bank of the Indra Theertham, shrines of Vinayakar and Murugan can also be seen.
Salient features
Outside Goddess Parvathy’s shrine, the 12 zodiac signs are inscribed on the roof. Those facing problems in their horoscopes can stand under their respective zodiac sign and pray to the goddess.
In his hymn, Saint Thirugnanasambanthar sang about the stories of Lord Indra and Lord Vamana (Vishnu).
This temple has been designed in such a way that the Vimanam and the presiding deity can be viewed at the same time from a vantage point.
Greatness of this temple
Devotees can pray to the lord here for relief from vision / eyesight related problems.
Those facing obstacles in their marriage proposals can worship the lord here.
This temple is also famous with those seeking employment and better job opportunities.
People who have committed adultery can pray to the lord here for forgiveness.
Important festivals
Some of the important festivals celebrated in this temple are –
Vinayakar Chaturthi in the Tamil month of Aavani (Aug-Sept),
Annabishekam in the Tamil month of Aippasi (Oct–Nov),
Thiru Karthikai in the Tamil month of Karthikai (Nov-Dec),
Somavaram (all Mondays) in the Tamil month of Karthikai (Nov-Dec),
Thiruvadhirai in the Tamil month of Markazhi (Dec-Jan), and
Shivrathri in the Tamil month of Masi (Feb-Mar).
Pradosham is also observed regularly.
Temple timings
From 07.00 AM to 12.00 Noon and from 04.00 PM to 07.00 PM.
Temple address
Sri Kannayiranathar Temple,
Kurumanakkudi,
Kondathur Post,
Tharangambadi Taluk,
Nagappattinam District,
Tamil Nadu – 609117.
Tele: +91 9244158673, 9442258085.
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