28. SRI KUNDALAKARNESWARAR TEMPLE AT THIRUKURAKKUKKA

Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam	82nd Shiva Sthalams(One of the Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam)
Region	Chola Naadu - North
Chola Naadu - North	28th Shiva Sthalam
Pathigam	Saint Thirunavukarasar (Appar)

HISTORY:

The temple was once surrounded by beautiful gardens. As Anjaneyar (also known as Hanuman) worshiped the lord here, this place gets the name Thiru Kurankukka which later changed to Thiru Kurakkukka. This ancient temple is situated on the banks of the river “Pazhavaru”. Another significance of this place is that this is one of the five sthalams whose name ends with “Ka”. (“Ka” means “a beautiful garden” in Tamil). They are – Thiruvanikka, Thirukkodikka, Thirukkolakka, Thiru Nellikka and Thiru Kurakkukka.

Lord Ram and Sita:

Lord Ram, Sita and others returned to Rameswaram after the war with Ravana. Ram wanted to worship Lord Shiva to get relief from the sins accrued by killing the demons. He asked Hanuman to go to Ayodhya and bring his Shiva idol for worship. Hanuman proceeded to bring the idol and on his way back he visited Suruttappalli and Kaasi (Banaras) in order to offer his prayers to Lord Shiva. Because of these stoppages, he got delayed. In the meantime, Sage Agasthiyar advised Sita to prepare a lingam with sand and asked Ram to perform his prayers. When Hanuman reached Ramewswaram, he apologised for the delay. The lingam that he brought was installed by Ram in another place in Rameswaram.

Anjaneyar wanted to take the sand lingam that had been made by Sita and worshiped by Ram with him. He tried to uproot it with his tail but failed to move the lingam. Also, in this process, his tail got cut and he lost his strength. He then realised the sin that he was trying to commit by removing the Shivalingam from its place.

It is believed that at this point the lord’s divine voice was heard saying that he should start a pilgrimage and visit many Shiva temples. He was further advised that in one of these places he would realise the need to install a Shivalingam and worship it.  Anjaneya started his pilgrimage and after visiting many Shiva temples, he reached this place. Here the divine voice once again heard saying that this is the place where he should install a lingam and worship it to get relief from his sins.

As advised by the lord, Anjaneyar installed a Shivalingam in this place and started worshiping it. During the course of his prayers, one day Lord Shiva decided to test the extent of his devotion. The lord decided to make one of his earrings (“Kundalam” in Tamil) disappear. On noticing that the lord did not have his earring, without any hesitation, Anjaneyar immediately cut his ear along with an earring and offered to the lord. Anjamneya had to cut his entire ear because he was born with the earrings and they could not be removed. Pleased with his devotion, Lord Shiva appeared before him and blessed him by restoring his tail as well as his ear. The lord further told him that this place would henceforth be known by his name – “Kurankukka”. Also, as Anjaneyar worshipped the lord by offering his “Kundalam”, the lord here is praised as “Sri Kundalakarneswarar”.

It is believed that this is the last temple where Anjaneyar worshiped Lord Shiva during the Ramayana era.

People who worshipped here:

Sages Agasthiyar and Markandeyar have worshiped the lord of this temple.

SALIENT FEATURE:

·        This temple is popularly known as “Siva Bhakta Anjaneyar” temple.
·        There is a beautiful procession idol of Anjaneyar in this temple. This is placed in a separate shrine.
·        Recently this temple got renovated and Kumbabishekam was celebrated on 04.09.2017 in a grand manner.
·        It is believed that even now, during the Tamil month of Chithirai (Apr-May), two monkeys come to this temple, take a dip in the river, take some Vilva leaves from the temple’s Vilva tree and enter the sanctum to make offerings to the main deity.

TEMPLE INFORMATION:

Moolavar	Sri Kundalakarneswarar
Ambal	Sri Elasoundari, Sri Kuntalambikai
Theertham	Pazhavaru / Ganapathy river
Sthala Vriksham	Ashoka tree, Vilva tree

BELIEF:

As Anjaneyar is believed to be the lord for Rahu and Saneeswarar, devotees can get relief from the adverse effects of these two planets by worshiping Anjaneyar here.

It is believed that those seeking wedding boon and “santhana prapthi” (child boon) can pray to the lord here.

It is also believed that those seeking better job opportunities or excellence in educational pursuits can worship the lord here. 

Special poojas are conducted on all Saturdays and new moon (Amavasya) days.

A yagna is performed in the shrine on every new moon day for peace and prosperity in the world.

Hanuman Jayanthi is also celebrated in this temple.

TEMPLE FESTIVAL:

Tamil Month	English Month	Festival Name
Maasi	Feb-Mar	Maha Shivrathri
Karthikai	Nov-Dec	Thirukarthikai
Aippasi	Oct–Nov	Annabishekam

HOW TO REACH:

Thirukurakkukka (Thirukkurakkaval) is situated at a distance of about 8 kms to the west of Sirkazhi and near Thalaignayiru.

From Vaitheeswarankoil, it is about 12 kms on the Vaitheeswaran Koil to Thiruppananthal route via Ilanthoppu. Take the diversion road from Ilanthoppu village and proceed further about 3 kms to reach this temple.

TEMPLE ADDRESS:

Sri Kundalakarneswarar Temple,
Thirukkurakkaval,
Ilanthoppu Via,
Mayiladuthurai,
Nagapatinam,
Tamil Nadu- 609 201.

LOCATION: