17. SRI KANNAYIRANATHA SWAMY TEMPLE AT THIRUKANNAAR KOIL (KURUMAANAKKUDI)

Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam	71st Shiva Sthalams(One of the Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam)
Region	Chola Naadu - North
Chola Naadu - North	17th Shiva Sthalam
Pathigam	Saint Thirugnanasambanthar

HISTORY:

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). 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”.

Lord Indra:

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 Indira’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.

People who worshipped here:

Saints Maandavya, Manickavasakar, Sekkizhar and Ramalinga Adigalar have worshiped the lord here.

SALIENT FEATURE:

·        This is east facing temple with beautiful arch. 
·        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.

TEMPLE INFORMATION:

Moolavar	Sri Kannayiram Udayar Sri Kannayira Nathar, Sri Sahasranethreswarar
Ambal	Sri Murugu Valarkothai Nayaki, Sri Kodaiyammai, Sri Sugantha Kundhalambikai
Theertham	Indra Theertham
Sthala Vriksham	Sarakkontrai tree

BELIEF:

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.

TEMPLE FESTIVAL:

Tamil Month	English Month	Festival Name
Avani	Aug-Sept	Vinayakar Chathurthi
Maasi	Feb-Mar	Maha Shivrathri
Karthikai	Nov-Dec	Somavaram
Karthikai	Nov-Dec	Thirukarthikai
Aippasi	Oct–Nov	Annabishekam
Markazhi	Dec-Jan	Thiruvadhirai

HOW TO REACH:

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.

TEMPLE ADDRESS:

Sri Kannayiranathar Temple,
Kurumanakkudi,
Kondathur,
Tharangambadi,
Nagappattinam,
Tamil Nadu – 609117.

LOCATION: