13. SRI KUTRALANATHAR TEMPLE KUTRALAM

Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam	257th Shiva Sthalams(One of the Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam)
Region	Pandiya Naadu
Pandiya Naadu	13th Shiva Sthalam
Pathigam	Saint Thirugnanasambanthar

HISTORY:

This sivasthalam is one of the Pancha Sabha Temples (Pictures) of Lord Shiva. The painting of Natarajar and Sivagami can been seen inside the sanctum sanctorum. This sivasthalam temple at Kuttralam is located on the foot of the Kuttralam hill forming a part of the western ghats. The shrine for Kuttralanathar is in the center. The female deity's shrine is located to the right of the main shrine and Goddess Parasakthi's shrine is located to the left.

Kutralam is a popular tourist resort in Southern Tamilnadu known for its waterfalls, amidst picturesque surroundings - and is a source of inspiration of many a literary work. Thousands visit this town when the waterfalls are in season. Kutralam represents one of the 5 Pancha Sabhas of Nataraja - Chitra Sabhai.   The five  dance halls of Shiva are Chidambaram, Madurai, Tiruvalankadu, Tirunelveli and Kutralam. Kutralam is also known as Trikootaachalam.   Near Kutralam, is Ten Kaasi with its Viswanathar Temple featuring one of the largest Gopurams in Tamilnadu.  This shrine  is regarded as the 13th of the Tevara Stalams in the Pandya region of Tamilnadu.

Agastyar who at Shiva's request, proceded southward to stabilize  the balance of the earth, and relieve it from the instability resulting from the presence of a multitude of entities at Shiva's and Parvati's wedding in the Himalayas, to wait for a glimpse of the divine couple,  is said to have created the Shivalingam here by shrinking an image of Vishnu, hence the name Kutralam.

SALIENT FEATURE:

·        Kurumpalaveesar, sung in Tevaram is associated with the stala vruksham Kurumpalaa. Tirikootaraasappakavirayar's well known work Kutrala Kuravanji glorifies this shrine.

·        The temple has a conch shaped temple (Prakaram) plan and is referred to as  Sangakkovil.

·        In the Mummurasukkovil, Shiva showed himself as Bhrama and Vishnu. The Tirikootamandapam here is the site of festivities here.

·        Parvati's shrine is also of significance here and is regarded as one of the 64 Shakti Peethams.

·        The Chitra Sabhai or the hall of pictures is located in a picturesque locale (see image above) away from the main temple.

·        Architecturally the Chitrasabha resembles that of the other Nataraja Sabhas elsewhere in Tamilnadu, and its interior is decked with hundreds of murals, depicting images from the Indian epics. 

·        Natarajar is brought here during festivals from the Kurumpalaveesar temple.

TEMPLE INFORMATION:

Moolavar	Sri Kurumpalaveesar, Sri Kutrala Nathar
Ambal	Sri Kuzhalvaaimozhiammai
Theertham	Chitranadhi Theertham
Sthala Vriksham	Kurum Palaa

BELIEF:

Those mentally retarded and suffering from skin troubles get all relief with a bath in the falls and prayer to lord. Those suffering from intense headace use the thaila Prasad (oil prasad) and rub it on their foreheads for cure.

TEMPLE FESTIVAL:

Tamil Month	English Month	Festival Name
Chithirai	Apr-May	Vasanta Utsavam
Purattasi	Sep-Oct	Navarathri
Aippasi	Oct–Nov	Skanda Shashti
Karthikai	Nov-Dec	Thirukarthikai, Pavitrotsavam
Markazhi	Dec-Jan	Arudra Darisanam
Maasi	Feb-Mar	Maha Shivrathri

HOW TO REACH:

This temple is located roughly 5 Kms from Tenkasi. Tenkasi is connected with other parts of Tamilnadu both by road and rail. Tenkasi can easily be reached by bus from Madurai and Tirunelveli. Bus services from Tenkasi to Courtalam are available.

TEMPLE ADDRESS:

Sri Kuttralanathar Temple,
Kutralam,
Tenkasi,
Tirunelveli,
Tamil Nadu – 627802.

LOCATION: