Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam | 80th Shiva Sthalams(One of the Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam) |
Region | Chola Naadu - North |
Chola Naadu - North | 26th Shiva Sthalam |
Pathigam | Saint Thirunavukarasar (Appar) |
HISTORY:
Sage called
Theerthavahu used to visit various Shiva temples and perform rituals by
invoking river Ganges through his Yogic powers. However, in this place while he
was trying to get water from Ganges his arms got shrunk and he could not offer
the water to the lord. It is belieed that this is happened because the Soola
Theertham in front of this temple is considered to be more auspicious than the
Ganges. He prayed to Lord Vinayakar and Lord Shiva here who then restored his
arms back to their original form. Hence this place gets the name “Kuru Kai”
(“kuruki” means to shrink and “kai” means arm in Tamil). Also, the idol of Lord
Vinayakar here is depicted with shorter arms and is praised as Sri Kurunkai
Vinayakar. The idol of Sage Theerthavahu can also be seen besides this
Vinayakar’s idol. The historical names of this place are Yogeesapuram,
Kaamathakanapuram and Kampakaapuram.
Manmathan:
Thiru Kurukkai is
associated with the legend of the death and rebirth of Manmathan (Kaaman). It
is believed that two demons, Surapanman and Dharakan, were terrorising the
celestial gods. The celestial gods tried to seek the help of Lord Shiva but the
lord was in deep meditation. The celestial gods decided to send Manmathan to
create a ruckus and awaken the lord. From this place (Kurukkai), Manmatha attempted
to disturb Lord Shiva’s penance.
Manmathan sent five
arrows towards Lord Shiva. Each arrow had a flower attached to it. Lord Shiva
was disturbed when the flowers fell on him and he opened his eyes in anger.
Such was the lord’s fury that fire came out of his third eye and burnt
Manmathan.
Rathi, Manmathan’s wife
pleaded to Lord Shiva to pardon her husband and restore him back to life. It is
believed that in order to pacify Rathi, Lord Shiva brought Manmathan back to
life and blessed both of them. The marks left by the five flowers, especially
the lotus, can still be seen on this Shivalingam. Hence the lord here is
praised as “Sri Kama Anga Naasan” and “Sri Kaamathakana Murthy”.
Manmathan is the
creation of Lord Mahavishnu. Lord Mahavishnu was overcome by grief when
Manmathan was killed by Lord Shiva. Hence, Lord Mahavishnu is named here as Sri
Soha Hareswarar (“Soham” meaning sorrow in Tamil). There is a separate shrine
for Lord Mahavishnu here.
There is a separate
shrine for Sri Kaamathakana Murthy along with Goddess Parvathy (procession
idols). Here Lord Shiva is sitting as “Yoga Murthy” (in a meditative posture)
surrounded by Sanakathi Rishis. Since the lord here is in the form of Yoga
Murthy, not everyone can get his darshan easily. It is believed that one has to
have good fortune along with the lord’s blessings to get his darshan. Once you
get this darshan of Lord Shiva, it is believed that your good time will start.
Various
places around this village bear names of incidents:
Various places around
this village bear names of incidents connected with Manmathan’s tryst with Lord
Shiva. Some of them are –
“Kanganam Puthur” -
this is the place where he decided to disturb Lord Shiva’s penance. He tied a
thread (“Kanganam” in Tamil) to his hand to mark the pledge that he made to the
celestial gods.
He drank milk at
Palakudi (“Pal” means milk). Took his bow at Villinur (“Vil” means bow). He
first decided to shoot his arrow from a place called “Kavalamedu”. However,
Kavalamedu was not suitable for this purpose. Hence, he came to Mettu Korkai
and finally shot the arrow at Lord Shiva.
Atta
Veeratta Sthalams:
In Hindu mythology,
there are eight special places where it is believed that Lord Shiva vanquished
various demons and exhibited acts of bravery. These places are Veeratta
Sthalams. In Tamil, this is referred to as “Atta Veerattanam” (“Atta” means
eight and “Veeram” means bravery). Thiru Kurukkai is the seventh
Veeratta Sthalam where Lord Shiva was believed to have been burnt Manmathan and
later blessed.
The other seven
Veeratta Sthalams are –
Thirukkandiyur where
one of Lord Brahma’s five heads was plucked;
Thirukkovilur where the
demon Andhakasuran was vanquished;
Thiruvathigai where the
lord is believed to have done the “Thiripura Samharam”.
Keezha Parasalur where
Dakshan’s yagna was stopped and he was killed;
Thiruvirkudi where the
demon Jalandharasuran was killed;
Thiru Vazhuvur where
the elephant Gajasuran was vanquished;
Thirukkadaiyur where
Lord Yama was believed to have been kicked and punished to save Markandeya.
Sri
Yogeeswarar:
It is believed that
after destroying Dakshan’s (his father-in-law) yagna, Lord Shiva decided to
medidate under the Kadukkai tree here. Hence the lord here is also praised as
Sri Yogeeswarar. The river Pazhavaaru, to the north of this village, is known
as Gnana Theertham. It is believed that the tears of joy that flowed out of
Lord Shiva’s eyes while he was in meditation merged with this river.
People
who worshipped here:
It is believed that
Brahma, Vishnu, Lakshmi, Murugan and Rathi have worshiped the lord here.
Manmathan, the deity of love and lust, was burnt here but was then brought back
to life by Lord Shiva.
SALIENT
FEATURE:
· This is west facing temple with 5-tiered main tower (Rajagopuram).
· Behind the sanctum sanctorum, on either sides of Lord Annamalaiyar, there are idols of Lord Mahavishnu and Lord Brahma in a worshipping posture. Devotees can enjoy the darshan of all the three lords (Trimurthys) – Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. This is considered to be very auspicious.
· Near this temple (about ½ km away), there is a place called “Vibhoothi Kuttai” where Manmadan (Kaaman) is believed to have been burnt.
· Lord Natarajar’s Sabha here is known as “Kaamanaasini Sabha” and “Sambu Vinotha Sabha”. The cosmic dance (“Thandavam”) of this Nataraja is known as “Veera Natanam”.
· Saint Arunagirinadhar has sang songs in praise of Lord Murugan of this temple in his revered Thirupugazh.
· The front hall (Mandapam) of this temple is designed to look like the forehead of a bat (“Vovval Nethi Mandapam”). This looks very beautiful.
· The sanctum sanctorum is in the form of semi-circular tank (akazhi in Tamil).
TEMPLE INFORMATION:
|
Moolavar |
Sri
Veeratteswarar |
|
Ambal |
Sri
Gnanambikai |
|
Theertham |
Soola
Theertham, Pasupathi Theertham |
|
Sthala
Vriksham |
Katukkai
tree |
BELIEF:
Devotees believe that
worshiping the lord here will cleanse them of the sins that they may have
unintentionally accrued.
Devotees also believe
that by worshiping the lord here, they will be blessed with mental strength and
fortitude.
“Puthrakameshti Yaga”
can be performed in this temple by that seeking child boon (“Santhana
Prapthi”).
This temple is also a
Parihara Sthalam for “Varga dosham”.
|
Tamil Month |
English Month |
Festival Name |
|
Maasi |
Feb-Mar |
10-day “Kamathakana” festival |
|
Maasi |
Feb-Mar |
Masi Maham |
|
Maasi |
Feb-Mar |
Maha Shivrathri |
|
Thai |
Jan-Feb |
Makara Sankranthi |
|
Purattasi |
Sep-Oct |
Navarathri |
|
Aippasi |
Oct–Nov |
Annabishekam |
|
Markazhi |
Dec-Jan |
Thiruvadhirai |
HOW
TO REACH:
Thiru Kurukkai is
located at a distance of about 12 kms from Mayiladuthurai. From Mayiladuthurai,
travel to Villiyanallur (8 kms) on the Mayiladuthurai to Manalmedu route and
then take diversion road to Uchidamangalam (1 km). From Uchidamangalam, proceed
further for about 3 kms to reach Kurukkai.
TEMPLE
ADDRESS:
Sri Veeratteswarar Temple,
Kurukkai,
Needur,
Mayiladuthurai,
Nagapattinam,
Tamil Nadu – 609203.
LOCATION:
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