Dharisanam ENதமிழ்
A small shrine behind iron railings in a courtyard, with a painted wall striped red and white and rooftop towers behind
Swayambu

Thiru Kuranganilmuttam Sri Valeeswarar Temple 6th of 32 in Thondai Nadu · Temples near Kanchipuram

Darshan today7:00 am – 10:00 am, 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Start reading Share
Moolavar
Valeeswarar / Koyyamalarnathar
Ambal
Irayar Valaiyammai
Theertham
Kakkai Madu Theertham, Vali Theertham
Sthala vriksham
Elandhai
Pathigam by
Thirugnanasambanthar

Temple

By V. MuthukumaraswamyVisited 1,000 words · 5 min

Visited on: 27th August, 2016 and 22nd November, 2016

Location

Thiru Kuranganilmuttam is on the Kanchipuram to Vanthavasi route. After travelling about 10 kms from Kanchipuram, you can reach village Thusi and from here take a diversion road to Kuranganilmuttam. The temple is at a distance of about 2 kms from Thusi.

Other Paadal Petra Shivasthalams near Kuranganilmuttam are – Vanparthan Panangattur (10 kms), Thirumagaral (13 kms), Thirumalpur (25 kms), and Thiruvothur (Cheyyar) (25 kms).

General Information

Moolavar
Sri Valeeswarar / Sri Koyyamalarnathar
Ambal
Sri Irayar Valaiyammai
Theertham (Holy water)
Kakkai Madu Theertham, Vali Theertham
Sthala Vriksham (Sacred Tree)
Elandhai
Pathigam (Hymn) rendered by
Saint Thirugnanasambanthar
  • This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 6th Shiva Sthalam in Thondai Nadu.
  • Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested).
  • This is a west-facing temple with two corridors and no main tower (Rajagopuram).
  • The last Consecration ceremony (Mahakumbabishegam) was held on 04.02.1985.

History of the Temple

The temple is situated on the southern bank of Palaru river and it is believed to have been built by Pallava King Mahendra Verman in 637 CE.

Legend

The legend is that once Vali (the monkey king of Kishkindha), Indhran (the king of the celestial gods) and Yama (the lord of death) were cursed by sages for their wrong doings and were made to take the forms of a monkey, a squirrel and a crow respectively.

A small shrine behind iron railings in a courtyard, with a painted wall striped red and white and rooftop towers behind

They went to Mount Kailash and prayed to Lord Shiva to seek his blessings and to request Lord Shiva to restore them to their original forms. Lord Shiva directed them to visit this place (Kuranganil Muttam) and offer their prayers. When they came to this place and worshiped Lord Shiva, he graced them with his dharisanam and absolved their sins. Lord Shiva stayed in this place as a Swayambumurthy.

A courtyard seen between two striped gate pillars, with a small shrine and low towers behind
A still pond covered with water lily leaves, with trees along its far bank and a concrete edge in front
A leafy green tree standing beside a low white wall

At Kuranganil Muttam Yama was in the form of a crow before worshipping Lord Shiva. He scratched the land with his beak and created a spring. He took bath in that spring, took water for lord’s abishekam from it and offered it to the lord. The spring was made in the shape of a new moon (semi-circular) surrounding the temple on three sides while the lord is seated on a rock on the other side. This spring is called “Kakkaimadu theertham” and “Vayasamadu theertham” - (Crow meaning Kakkai / muttam in Tamil and Vayasam in Sanskrit).

Vali was an ardent Shiva devotee. When he came to worship the Lord Shiva here, he did not want to pick the flowers by hand but instead, he shook the tree in order to make the flowers fall on the Lord directly. The lord here is also known as “Koyyamalar Nathar” referring to the fact that the flowers that were offered to him were untouched by hands. “Koyya” meaning untouched and “Malar” meaning flower in Tamil. Saint Thirugnanasambanthar in his pathigam on Lord Shiva here also mentioned the lord as “Koyyamalar Chudi” (in 8th Stanza).

The Tamil names of monkey, squirrel and crow are “Kurangu”, “Anil” and “Muttam” respectively. Hence the place gets the name, “Kuranguanil Muttam”. Also since Vali is believed to have worshipped Lord Shiva here, the lord here is named “Valeeswarar”.

Deities in the temple

Idols and shrines of Lords Vinayakar, Murugan with his consorts, Kasi Viswanathar and Vishalakshi, Durgai, Chandikeswarar, Mahavishnu, Brahma, Dakshinamurthy, Sapthamathars, Suryan, Navagrahams, Bairavar, Nalwars can be seen in the corridors. Separate idols for Saint Thirugnanasambanthar and Saint Sekkizhar are also present.

An arched stone niche holding a dark idol draped in white cloth, with a small lamp burning beside it
Seven dark stone idols in a row, dressed in red, yellow, orange and green cloth, with a Tamil label above

Salient Features

It is pertinent to note that in Indian mythology even birds and animals are depicted as having faith in Lord Shiva. There are also references where they have attained salvation through their penance. This has been substantiated by Saint Sundaramurthy Nayanar in his Pathigam (6th stanza) rendered at Thiruppunkur.

Goddess Irayar Valai Ammai graces from a separate shrine facing west. Vali, Indira and Yama are believed to have worshiped this goddess before worshipping the Lord. They are also believed to have sought her help to negate the effects of the curse and revert back to their original forms. The goddess is believed to have yielded to their request. “Valai” in this context can be translated as “yielding”. This is one of the reasons behind the name “Irayar Valai Ammai”. Saint Thirugnanasambanthar had also praised the goddess as “Irayar valai” in his hymns.

“Valai” in Tamil also means bangles. Married women and expectant mothers offer bangles to the goddess before wearing them with the hope that they would be blessed with healthy children and their deliveries would be safe. They also pray to the goddess for relief from “Balarishta dosham”. “Bala” means children and “arishta” means illnesses. Balarishta dosham are illnesses that afflict the new born child. They are caused due to specific planetary positions or combinations present at the time of birth of the child. The ill-effects of this dosham can be seen for many years.

It is said that on specific days during the Tamil month of Chithirai (April-May) sun rays fall directly on the lingam in the sanctum sanctorum.

Beautiful stone engravings depicting these animals worshipping the lord can be seen at the entrance wall of the temple.

Three dark stone relief panels beside a doorway, showing figures at a lingam and an animal
Three dark stone panels showing a lingam, a figure pouring water over a lingam, and a lingam in a small shrine

Greatness of this temple

Yama is considered to be the presiding lord of Planet Saturn. Those seeking relief from ill-effects of this planet (Sani dosham) can worship Lord Shiva here.

It is believed that by worshiping Lord Shiva here devotees are relieved of sins and are blessed with wisdom and knowledge.

Important Festivals

Lakshadeepam (one lakh lamps) on Tirukarthikai in the Tamil month of Karthikai (November-December), Shivarathri in the Tamil month of Masi (February-March) and Annabishekam in the Tamil month of Aippasi (October-November) are the main festivals celebrated in this temple.

Pradosha Pooja is regularly observed in a grand manner.

Temple Timings

07.00 AM to 10.00 AM and 04.00 PM to 07.00 PM

Temple Address

Sri Valeeswarar Temple
Kuranganil Muttam Village
Thusi Post, Mamandur Via
Cheyyaru Taluk, Thiruvannamalai District,
Tamil Nadu – 631 702.

Tele: Shri K.M.Sridhar Gurukkal: 07299904344, 09445642409.

*
NavigateGet directions in Google Maps
Today7:00 am – 10:00 am, 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Phone07299904344, 09445642409

Highlights

What makes this temple special

* Cards drawn from the temple write-up and photographs. “Read more” takes you to the full passage.

Greatness

Animals that worshipped Lord Shiva

The temple tells of a monkey, a squirrel and a crow that worshipped Lord Shiva, shown in stone engravings at the entrance wall.

  1. Engravings at the entranceBeautiful stone engravings depicting these animals worshipping the lord can be seen at the entrance wall of the temple.
  2. Sun rays on the lingamIt is said that on specific days during the Tamil month of Chithirai sun rays fall directly on the lingam in the sanctum sanctorum.
  3. The Goddess facing westGoddess Irayar Valai Ammai graces from a separate shrine facing west.
  4. The crescent springThe spring was made in the shape of a new moon surrounding the temple on three sides.
Significance

A sthalam sung by Thirugnanasambanthar

The Pathigam of Saint Thirugnanasambanthar names the lord of this temple, and the place takes its name from a monkey, a squirrel and a crow.

  1. A Paadal Petra SthalamThis is one of the Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams, in Thondai Nadu.
  2. The lord in the hymnSaint Thirugnanasambanthar in his pathigam also mentioned the lord as Koyyamalar Chudi.
  3. Praised by Sundaramurthy NayanarSaint Sundaramurthy Nayanar has also said in his Pathigam that birds and animals attained salvation through their penance.
  4. A SwayambumurthiLord Shiva stayed in this place as a Swayambumurthy after absolving their sins.
Why devotees come

Why devotees come here

Devotees come for relief from sins and Sani dosham, for wisdom, and for healthy children.

  1. For sins and wisdom: worship Lord Shiva hereIt is believed that by worshiping Lord Shiva here devotees are relieved of sins and are blessed with wisdom and knowledge.
  2. For Sani dosham: worship hereThose seeking relief from ill-effects of this planet (Sani dosham) can worship Lord Shiva here.
  3. For healthy children: bangles for the GoddessMarried women and expectant mothers offer bangles to the goddess hoping for healthy children and safe deliveries.
  4. For the festivalsLakshadeepam on Tirukarthikai, Shivarathri and Annabishekam are the main festivals celebrated in this temple.
The temple seen from the entrance gate
276Paadal Petra Sthalams

Paadal Petra Sthalams

The name Kuranganil Muttam

  1. குரங்குmonkey
  2. அணில்squirrel
  3. முட்டம்crow

The place is named from the Tamil words for a monkey, a squirrel and a crow.

    Legends of the temple

    Vali, Indhran and Yama were cursed by sages and made to take the forms of a monkey, a squirrel and a crow.

    Yama, in the form of a crow, scratched the land with his beak and created a spring.

    Vali shook the tree to make the flowers fall on the Lord directly, so the lord is also known as Koyyamalar Nathar.

    What devotees pray for

    • Sani doshamThose seeking relief from ill-effects of this planet (Sani dosham) can worship Lord Shiva here.
    • Balarishta doshamWomen pray to the goddess for relief from Balarishta dosham, illnesses that afflict the new born child.
    • Wisdom and knowledgeDevotees are relieved of sins and are blessed with wisdom and knowledge.

    Devotees pray here for relief from sins, planetary ill-effects and illnesses of new born children.

    Saints of the temple

    1. ThirugnanasambantharIn his pathigam he mentioned the lord as Koyyamalar Chudi and praised the goddess as Irayar valai.
    2. Sundaramurthy NayanarIn his Pathigam rendered at Thiruppunkur he spoke of birds and animals attaining salvation through penance.

    Two saints mention this temple or its stories in their hymns.

    Festivals through the year

      Lakshadeepam, Shivarathri and Annabishekam are the main festivals, and Pradosha Pooja is observed in a grand manner.

      Deities

      The deities of this temple

      * Drawn from the temple write-up and photographs. Where there is no photograph, the card shows the name.

      From the sanctum to the corridors
      Moolavarவா
      Moolavar

      Sri Valeeswarar

      Since Vali is believed to have worshipped Lord Shiva here, the lord here is named “Valeeswarar”.

      Moolavarகொ
      Moolavar

      Sri Koyyamalarnathar

      The lord here is also known as “Koyyamalar Nathar” referring to the fact that the flowers that were offered to him were untouched by hands.

      Ambalஇ
      Ambal

      Sri Irayar Valaiyammai

      Goddess Irayar Valai Ammai graces from a separate shrine facing west.

      Seven dark stone idols in a row, dressed in red, yellow, orange and green cloth, with a Tamil label above
      Shrine in the corridor

      Sapthamathars

      Idols and shrines of the Sapthamathars can be seen in the corridors.

      Shrine in the corridorகா
      Shrine in the corridor

      Kasi Viswanathar and Vishalakshi

      Idols and shrines of Kasi Viswanathar and Vishalakshi can be seen in the corridors.

      Shrine in the corridorத
      Shrine in the corridor

      Dakshinamurthy

      Idols and shrines of Dakshinamurthy can be seen in the corridors.

      Shrine in the corridorதி
      Shrine in the corridor

      Saint Thirugnanasambanthar

      Separate idols for Saint Thirugnanasambanthar and Saint Sekkizhar are also present.

      Visit & map

      12a6a12p6p
      Darshan today7:00 am – 10:00 am, 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
      7:00 – 10:004:00 – 7:00 pm

      Hours as recorded on the visit. Festival days can differ.

      Address and phone

      Sri Valeeswarar Temple, Kuranganil Muttam Village, Thusi Post, Mamandur Via, Cheyyaru Taluk, Thiruvannamalai District, Tamil Nadu – 631 702.

      Temple plan

      A courtyard seen between two striped gate pillars, with a small shrine and low towers behind
      01

      Arriving at the temple

      The temple is at a distance of about 2 kms from Thusi.

      1 / 6

      Summary written with AI help from the temple write-up.

      Pathigam

      Saint Thirugnanasambanthar visited this temple and sang this Pathigam.

      Devotees visiting this temple should make it a practice to recite this Pathigam.

      V. Muthukumaraswamy

      Thirugnanasambandar visited this temple and sang this Pathigam. Verse 1 of 11.

      Vizhunīrmazhu vāḷpadai aṇṇal viḷaṅkuṅ
      kazhunīrkuva ḷaim'mala rakkayal pāyuṅ
      kozhunīrvayal chūzhntha kuraṅkaṇiṉ muṭṭan
      thozhunīrmaiyar thīthuṟu thuṉpa milarē

      The verse praises the Lord who holds the axe and weapons, shining at Kuranganil Muttam, a place surrounded by fields rich with water where carp leap among the lilies. It says that those who worship him have no suffering.

      Tap any Tamil word for its meaning

      Verse text and transliteration as given in the write-up. Word meanings and the English meaning are AI-assisted drafts.

      All eleven verses

      1. 01

        விழுநீர்மழு வாள்படை அண்ணல் விளங்குங்கழுநீர்குவ ளைம்மல ரக்கயல் பாயுங்கொழுநீர்வயல் சூழ்ந்த குரங்கணின் முட்டந்தொழுநீர்மையர் தீதுறு துன்ப மிலரே

        Vizhunīrmazhu vāḷpadai aṇṇal viḷaṅkuṅ / kazhunīrkuva ḷaim'mala rakkayal pāyuṅ / kozhunīrvayal chūzhntha kuraṅkaṇiṉ muṭṭan / thozhunīrmaiyar thīthuṟu thuṉpa milarē

      2. 02

        விடைசேர்கொடி அண்ணல் விளங்குயர் மாடக்கடைசேர்கரு மென்குளத் தோங்கிய காட்டில்குடையார்புனல் மல்கு குரங்கணின் முட்டம்உடையானெனை யாளுடை யெந்தை பிரானே

        Vidaisērkodi aṇṇal viḷaṅkuyar mādak / kaṭaisērkaru meṉkuḷath thōṅkiya kāṭṭil / kudaiyārpuṉal malku kuraṅkaṇiṉ muṭṭam / udaiyāṉeṉai yāḷudai yenthai pirāṉē

      3. 03

        சூலப்படை யான்விடை யான்சுடு நீற்றான்காலன்றனை ஆருயிர் வவ்விய காலன்கோலப்பொழில் சூழ்ந்த குரங்கணின் முட்டத்தேலங்கமழ் புன்சடை யெந்தை பிரானே

        Sūlappadai yāṉvidai yāṉsudu nītṟāṉ / kālaṉtṟaṉai āruyir vavviya kālaṉ / kōlappozhil chūzhntha kuraṅkaṇiṉ muṭṭath / thēlaṅkamazh puṉsadai yenthai pirāṉē

      4. 04

        வாடாவிரி கொன்றை வலத்தொரு காதில்தோடார்குழை யான்நல பாலன நோக்கிக்கூடாதன செய்த குரங்கணின் முட்டம்ஆடாவரு வாரவ ரன்புடை யாரே

        Vādāviri koṉtṟai valathoru kāthil / thōṭārkuzhai yāṉnala pālaṉa nōkkik / kūṭāthaṉa seytha kuraṅkaṇiṉ muṭṭam / āṭāvaru vārava raṉpudai yārē

      5. 05

        இறையார்வளை யாளையொர் பாகத் தடக்கிக்கறையார்மிடற் றான்கரி கீறிய கையான்குறையார்மதி சூடி குரங்கணின் முட்டத்துறைவானெமை யாளுடை யொண்சுட ரானே

        Iṟaiyārvaḷai yāḷaiyor pākath thaṭakkik / kaṟaiyārmiṭaṟ tṟāṉkari kīṟiya kaiyāṉ / kuṟaiyārmathi sūdi kuraṅkaṇiṉ muṭṭath / thuṟaivāṉemai yāḷuṭai yoṇsuda rāṉē

      6. 06

        பலவும்பய னுள்ளன பற்றும் ஒழிந்தோங்கலவம்மயில் காமுறு பேடையொ டாடிக்குலவும்பொழில் சூழ்ந்த குரங்கணின் முட்டம்நிலவும்பெரு மானடி நித்தல் நினைந்தே

        Palavumpaya ṉuḷḷaṉa patṟum ozhinthōṅ / kalavam'mayil kāmuṟu pēdaiyo dādik / kulavumpozhil chūzhntha kuraṅkaṇiṉ muṭṭam / nilavumperu māṉadi nithal niṉainthē

      7. 07

        மாடார்மலர்க் கொன்றை வளர்சடை வைத்துத்தோடார்குழை தானொரு காதில் இலங்கக்கூடார்மதி லெய்து குரங்கணின் முட்டத்தாடாரர வம்மரை யார்த்தமர் வானே

        Mādārmalark koṉtṟai vaḷarsadai vaithuth / thōṭārkuzhai thāṉoru kāthil ilaṅkak / kūṭārmathi leythu kuraṅkaṇiṉ muṭṭath / thāṭārara vam'marai yārthamar vāṉē

      8. 08

        மையார்நிற மேனி யரக்கர்தங் கோனைஉய்யாவகை யாலடர்த் தின்னருள் செய்தகொய்யாமலர் சூடி குரங்கணின் முட்டங்கையால்தொழு வார்வினை காண்ட லரிதே

        Maiyārniṟa mēṉi yarakkarthaṅ kōṉai / uyyāvakai yālaṭarth thiṉṉaruḷ seytha / koyyāmalar sūdi kuraṅkaṇiṉ muṭṭaṅ / kaiyālthozhu vārviṉai kāṇṭa larithē

      9. 09

        வெறியார்மலர்த் தாமரை யானொடு மாலும்அறியாதசைந் தேத்தவோர் ஆரழ லாகுங்குறியால்நிமிர்ந் தான்றன் குரங்கணின் முட்டம்நெறியால்தொழு வார்வினை நிற்ககி லாவே

        Veṟiyārmalarth thāmarai yāṉodu mālum / aṟiyāthasain thēthavōr ārazha lākuṅ / kuṟiyālnimirn thāṉtṟaṉ kuraṅkaṇiṉ muṭṭam / neṟiyālthozhu vārviṉai niṟkaki lāvē

      10. 10

        கழுவார்துவ ராடை கலந்துமெய் போர்க்கும்வழுவாச்சமண் சாக்கியர் வாக்கவை கொள்ளேல்குழுமின்சடை யண்ணல் குரங்கணின் முட்டத்தெழில்வெண்பிறை யானடி சேர்வ தியல்பே

        Kazhuvārthuva rādai kalanthumey pōrkkum / vazhuvāchamaṇ sākkiyar vākkavai koḷḷēl / kuzhumiṉsadai yaṇṇal kuraṅkaṇiṉ muṭṭath / theḻilveṇpiṟai yāṉadi sērva thiyalpē

      11. 11

        கல்லார்மதிற் காழியுள் ஞானசம் பந்தன்கொல்லார்மழு வேந்தி குரங்கணில் முட்டஞ்சொல்லார்தமிழ் மாலை செவிக்கினி தாகவல்லார்க்கெளி தாம்பிற வாவகை வீடே

        In the last verse the saint Gnanasambanthan, of Kazhi, says that those who can sing this garland of Tamil verses on the Lord of Kuranganil Muttam will reach the state that ends rebirth.

        Kallārmathiṟ kāzhiyuḷ gñāṉasam banthaṉ / kollārmazhu vēnthi kuraṅkaṇil muṭṭañ / sollārthamizh mālai sevikkiṉi thāka / vallārkkeḷi thāmpiṟa vāvakai vīdē

      Photos

      Photographs

      9 photographs, in the order they appear in the write-up. Captions are AI-assisted.

      A small shrine behind iron railings in a courtyard, with a painted wall striped red and white and rooftop towers behind
      A small shrine behind iron railings in a courtyard, with a painted wall striped red and white and rooftop towers behind
      A courtyard seen between two striped gate pillars, with a small shrine and low towers behind
      A still pond covered with water lily leaves, with trees along its far bank and a concrete edge in front
      A leafy green tree standing beside a low white wall
      An arched stone niche holding a dark idol draped in white cloth, with a small lamp burning beside it
      Seven dark stone idols in a row, dressed in red, yellow, orange and green cloth, with a Tamil label above
      Three dark stone relief panels beside a doorway, showing figures at a lingam and an animal
      Three dark stone panels showing a lingam, a figure pouring water over a lingam, and a lingam in a small shrine