Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam | 118th Shiva Sthalams(One of the Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam) |
Region | Chola Naadu - South |
Chola Naadu - South | 1st Shiva Sthalam |
Pathigam | Saint Thirunavukarasar (Appar) and Saint Sundaramurthy
(Sundarar) |
HISTORY:
Iyermalai
Rathinagireeshwarar Temple situated at Iyermalai Hills in Karur is a famous
temple dedicated Lord Rathnagireeswarar and His consort Karumbarkuzhali Ambal.
The temple is located on hills of 1178 feet height and has 1017 steps. The
temple is said to be a Swayambhu temple, where Lord manifests himself rather
than built or installed by humans. The presiding deity is also known as
Rajalingam and Valpokki. The shrine is praised in the hymns of
Thirunavukkarasar and Arunagiriar Thirupugazh.
The
unboiled milk used for abishek does not go stale till the evening though some
dust from the incense sticks fall on the milk. Instead, it becomes a good curd
the next morning. This is a miracle that could be seen only in this temple.
A
devotee, Vairagya Perumal of Kancheepuram vowed to offer his head to
Rathnagireeswarar if he got a child. He kept his promise sooner the wish was
achieved. The head came to the peak of the mount while the feet stayed down.
Honey and Coconut milk is used for the abishek for this head. The garlands used
for the presiding deity is then offered to the head. The other surprise here
is, that no crow flies on the hill. Tradition has it that once a crow upset the
milk bowl of a devotee and got burnt. From then no crow flies on the hill. The
presiding deity is also known as Rajalingam and Valpokki. The shrine is praised
in the hymns of Thirunavukkarasar and Arunagiriar Thirupugazh. The abishek
water is carried each day from the Cauvery river in the plains, 9 kilometers
far. The scriptural names are Iyermalai and Shivayamalai.
Lord Adishesha and Lord Vayu:
Lord
Adishesha and Lord Vayu had a heated argument about their superiority. Lord
Indra intervened and proclaimed them to prove their strength. The final verdict
was followed, Lord Adishesha should carry the Mount Meru with his thousand
heads and Lord Vayu should tear apart the Mount Meru with his strength. Lord
Vayu with all his strength blew off Mount Meru, as a result it’s divided into
five parts and each part was fallen as precious Gems such as Emerald, Ruby,
Diamond, Coral and Sapphire on the different places of the Earth. These sacred
lands were turned out prominent worship places of Lord Shiva. The places where
Coral landed on Earth came to known as Thiruvannamalai, Ruby landed as
Ratnagiri, Emerald as Inkoi Malai, Bule Saphhire as Pothikai and Diamond landed
as Kodumudi. Hence, the self-manifested Linga on this sacred land came to known
as Kodumudinathar/Makudeswarar. Thus, Ratnagiri hill and the presiding deity
Lord Ratnagirinathar were originated during this mighty process.
Iyermalai:
Iyermalai
is one of the peaks of Meru Mount. The Linga is a Jyothir Linga. Also
Swayambu.. The prayers begin at Kadambar temple on the banks of Cauvery,
proceeds to Rathnagireeswarar in Iyermalai and ends in the Thiru
Engoimalainathar temple. The abishek water is stored in a big bowl called
Kopparai. Once it so happened that the Kopparai did not become full though
people went on pouring the Cauvery water. The angry king took the sword and
threw it on the Linga which began to bleed. The king reconciling from the fury
fell at the feet of Lord, who in turn pardoned him and also offered precious
stone. The scar is still visible on the Linga.
SALIENT
FEATURE:
·
At foot hills
sannadhi for Vinayagar, karuppasamy and Viswakarma Ganapathy in a big mandapam.
·
On the way up
the hill the Ponnidum Parai, Where Sage Sundarar got the gold from Lord Shiva.
It is believed Shiva’s Padham is at Ponnidum Paarai.
·
When we climb
further we can have the dharshan of Sabthamatahakkal. Before that there are
many small mandapams to take rest.
·
At end of the steep
steps Sri Ganapathi welcomes us to his father’s shrine.
·
At 1017th step
we can reach the sanctum sanctorum. The steep steps are neatly and evenly paved
throughout the 1017 steps. Monkey menace is too high in this hill shrine.
·
It is believed
that rishis are mediating in the hill, to prove that there are number of
natural caves in this hill shrine.
·
The moolavar
head looks like chopped. The story goes like this. The Arya King could not fill
the pot with Cauvery water, to get “Rathnam” for his crown, as per an Anthanar.
The king got angry and chopped Anthanar’s (Lord Shiva) head. On realizing that
the Anthanar is Lord Shiva, The Arya King try to kill himself. The Lord
appeared before him and gave Rathnam.
·
The shrine is
constructed on the rocky hill. The Ambal Sannadhi is one level below the Lord
Shiva’s shrine.
·
We could see a
lot of inscriptions dating back 10th to 12th century on the walls of Moolavar
and Ambal Sannadhi.
·
The temple is
facing west.
·
There are some
more special features in the temple are Chandran and Suryan are along with
their wives.
·
Instead of
Lingothbavar Sri Arthanareeswarar is installed.
·
It is still
believed that Indran used to come and worship Lord through 9 holes opposite to
moolavar in the form of thunder & lightning. To prove that the garland and
vastharam of moolavar can be seen burnt on the next day even these years.
·
The abishekam
milk will turn to curd.
TEMPLE INFORMATION:
|
Moolavar |
Sri Rathnagirieswarar, Sri Arthanasaleswarar, Sri
Manikka Easar, Sri Mudi Thalumbar |
|
Ambal |
Sri Surumbaar Kuzhali |
|
Theertham |
Cauvery Theertham |
|
Sthala
Vriksham |
Neem Tree |
BELIEF:
Those
who have no knowledge of their family deities (Kula Deivam) may adopt
Rathnagireeswarar as their family deity. The Easwara grants boons of marriage,
business development, children. Freedom from depression is attained here.
Majority of the devotees visit the place for mental peace alone. While going up
on the steps, the devotee breaths the air from the various herbal plants on
both sides and get relieved from Asthma, Blood pressure, chest pain, joint
pains etc. The experience can be felt even in a single trip. Those doing so
often are completely cured of these problems and this is the truth practically
experienced by the devotees.
Devotees
offer bell lamps (Manivilakku) to the God besides usual archanas etc. Abisheks
are offered in oil, milk, tender coconuts. They undertake some fasting also and
do charities. Dhyana, penance and such silent prayers are undertaken by the
devotees. This is a special Shiva temple for devotees seeking mental peace.
Preparations offered to the deity are distributed to visitors.
|
Tamil Month |
English Month |
Festival Name |
|
Chithirai |
Apr-May |
15 days
Chithirai Festival |
|
Karthikai |
Nov-Dec |
Thirukarthikai
and Somavaram |
|
Maasi |
Feb-Mar |
Maha Shivrathri |
HOW
TO REACH:
This
sivasthalam temple is located at Ratnagiri near Kulittalai. Kulittalai railway
station is located on the Karur - Tiruchirapalli section of the Southern
Railway. Bus services from Trichy, Erode and Karur are available to go to
Kulittali.
TEMPLE
ADDRESS:
Sri Rathinagireeshwarar
Temple,
Iyermalai Hills,
Karur,
Tamil Nadu.
LOCATION:
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