This is the 82nd Thevara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 28th sthalam on the north of River Kaveri in Chozha Nadu. This place was called as Kurakkaka during 6th- 7th Century, is now called as Thirukurakkaval on the north banks of River Uppanar, very close to Thalainayar near Mayiladuthurai. This is one of the 5 temple which ends with “Ka”.. the other temples are Thiruvanaikka, Thirukodikka, Thirunellikka and Thirukolakka. Ka- means a beautiful Garden. Thirukarupariyalur ( Thalainayar ) is on the south banks of this river. Since Hanuman ( Kurangu – குரங்கு - Kurangukkaka might have corrupted to the present name of Kurakkuka ) worshiped Lord Shiva, this temple called as Kurakkaka.
In Periya Puranam, Sekkizhar records that Thirugnanasambandar and Thirunavukkarasar went to Kolakka Temple. After that Appar alone went to 7 temples which includes this Thirukurakaval / Kurakkaka, is between Thirukarupariyalur, which was not mentioned separately.
ஆண்ட அரசு எழுந்தருளக் கோலக் காவை
நீண்ட கருப்பறியலூர், புன்கூர், நீடூர்,நீடு திருக் குறுக்கை, திருநின்றியூரும்காண்தகைய நனிபள்ளி முதலாய் நண்ணிக் கண்ணுதலார் கழல் தொழுது கலந்து செல்வார்
Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal and Ramalinga Adigalar had sung hymns in praise of lord of this temple.
மரக்கொக் காம்என வாய்விட் டலறிநீர்சரக்குக் காவித் திரிந்தய ராதுகால்பரங்குங் காவிரி நீரலைக் குங்கரைக்குரக்குக் காவுடை யக்கெடுங் குற்றமே....... திருநாவுக்கரசு சுவாமிகள் --“மிக்கதிருமாவளருஞ் செந்தாமரை வளருஞ்செய் குரக்குக்கா வளரும் இன்பக்கன சுகமே........ திருஅருட்பாMoolavar : Sri Kundaleswarar, Sri Kundalakarneswarar.Consort : Sri Kundalambigai.
Some of the important features of the temple are.....….The temple is facing east with a small entrance. Balipeedam and Rishabam are in front of sanctum sanctorum. The arch with stucco images are at the entrance of Sanctum sanctorum. The Sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala and artha mandapam. A Vesara vimana is over the sanctum. Dwarapalakas are in painting. In koshtam Dakshinamurthy and Durgai.
In Prakaram Vinayagar, Valli Devasena Murugan, Bhairavar, Chelliamman, Chandran, Hanuman and Chandikeswarar. Painting of Hanuman worshiping Lord Shiva of this temple is at the entrance. There is a separate sannadhi for Hanuman. Ambal is in a separate temple with vesara Vimana.
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONSSince the 7th century Thirunavukkarasar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple, the the temple might be existed before his period. Also part of the temple is of brick structure, major renovations was not carried out during Chozha and Vijayanagara Periods.
The temple’s maha kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 04th September 2017 after renovations. ( 5 years after my Visit ).
LEGENDSAs per the Legend, Rama and Sita came to this place after the war at Sri Lanka. Rama wishes to worship Lord Shiva and Asked Hanuman to bring a Shiva Linga, from Ayodhya. When his arrival was delayed, Agasthiyar asked Sita to create a Shiva Linga out of Sand and Rama worshiped Lord Shiva. Since Hanuman came after the pooja was completed, the Shiva Linga was installed in another place. Angered Hanuman tried to uproot the Sand Shiva Linga. He couldn’t do so,but in this process his tail was got cut. So realised that it, his act was a Shiva Aparadha – a sin. Rama advised Hanuman to visit many Shiva Temples and pray to get rid of the sin. It is believed that Hanuman has got back his tail after worshiping Lord Shiva of this temple.
In another legend Hanuman installed and worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple. On seeing the Lord Shiva’s ear is with out a Kundalam, cuts the whole ear ( since it was there from his birth ) and offered to Lord Shiva. Hence this place is called as Kurankkuka and latter corrupted as Kurakkuka. And Anjaneyar offered his Kundala to Lord Shiva Lord Shiva is called as Kundaleswarar / Kundalakarneswarar. A stucco image is on the top of the entrance arch.
It is believed that Sages Agasthiyar and Markandeyar worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple.
It is believed that on Chithirai Month two monkeys used to come to this temple, take a dip in the temple tank, pluck bilva leaves from tree and worships Lord Shiva.
It is believed that Anjaneyar is the lord of Raghu and Shaniswarar, devotees worships Anjaneyar get a relief from the adverse effect of these two planets. Also the devotees worships Lord Shiva for wedding boon, child boon, better job opportunities and to excel in education.
POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONSApart from regular Poojas, special poojas are conducted on Pradosham, Annabhishekam in the month of Aippasi ( Oct – Nov ), Thirukarthigai in the month Karthigai ( Nov – Dec ), Maha Shivaratri in Masi ( Feb – March ), Saturdays and new moon ( Amavasai ) days and hanuman Jayanthi.
TEMPLE TIMINGSThe temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs to 12.30 hrs and 16.30 hrs to 20.00 hrs.
CONTACT DETAILS :The land line number + 91 4364 258 785 and T A Nataraja Sivam Gurukkal may be contacted on his mobile +91 77088 20533 for further details.
HOW TO REACH :On the bus route Vaitheeswaran koil and Thiruppanandal get down at Ilanthoppu and by the side of Hospital the temple is 3 Km ( You have to make your own arrangement, since there is no bus facility ).On a Town bus from Mayiladuthurai to Pattavarthi, get down at Ilanthoppu and proceed as above.The temple is about a half Km from Thalainayar ( crossing the river usually no water will flow – through the bridge it will be 5 KM )The temple is 11 KM from Sirkazhi, 11 KM from Vaitheeswaran koil, 16 KM from Mayiladuthurai, 28 KM from Chidambaram, 50 KM from Kumbakonam and 245 KM from Chennai.Nearest Railway Station is Sirkazhi.
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE
Thanks to the unknown photographers for the photos taken after Kumbhabhishekam--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
ஆண்ட அரசு எழுந்தருளக் கோலக் காவை
காண்தகைய நனிபள்ளி முதலாய் நண்ணிக்
