Kuṭṭāla (कुट्टाल).—Seat of a famous Śiva temple in South India, originally
a Viṣṇu temple. There is a story about its conversion into the present Śiva
temple as follows:—
Agastya, on his journey to the south, reached Tirukkutralam (Kuṭṭālam) in
the Tirunelveli Zilla on the southern borders of Tamil Nadu. The temple
there was dedicated to Viṣṇu, and the Vaiṣṇavas (devotees of Viṣṇu)
prevented Agastya from entering the temple with ashes on his forehead. At
once he transformed himself into a devotee of Viṣṇu, and was permitted
entry into the temple. As Viṣṇu wanted to show the world that he and Śiva
were one and the same, and also the greatness of Agastya, the idol of Viṣṇu
was all on a sudden changed into a Śiva Liṅga. Since then, the temple has
remained a Śiva Temple. (Skanda Purāṇa).
Temples in Kuttalam Chapter XII - Temples of Kulottunga III’s Time
Kuttalam is about 11 km. west-south-west of Mayuram onl the
Mayuram-Kumbakonam road, and there are three well-known temples here, viz.,
the Uttaravedisvara, Omkareshwara and Cholesvara temples. We have already
dealt with the temple of Uttaravedisvara, rebuilt by Sembiyan Mahadevi
during the days of Uttama Chola, in our Early Chola Temples, pp. 176-8. We
shall deal with the remaining two important temples here as they both
belong to the Later Chola period. Both of them are located within the
town-limits. They are under worship and in a state of good preservation.
Omkaresvara (Omkaresvaram Udaiya Paramasvamin) temple
The earliest dated records found on the walls of the central shrine of this
temple belong to the 25th year of Tribhuvanachakra-vartin Sri Kulottunga
Choladeva ‘who was pleased to take Madurai, Ilam and the crowned head of
the Pandya’ (Kulottunga III). While recording a gift of land to the temple
of Omkaresvaram Udaiyar, one of them mentions that the temple was built by
Pillai Jayadhara Pallavaraiyar (EI, X, pp. 129-30; ARE 479 of 1907). The
other inscription, found on the north wall of the mandapa in front of the
same shrine, records a gift of land to the same temple and confirms that it
was built by (Araiyan Aludaiya Nayaganar alias) Jayadhara Pallavaraiyar; it
mentions the village of Kavirinallur, a devadana of the temple of Udaiyar
Son-navararivar at Vingunirt-turutti, i.e., Kuttalam (ARE 482 of 1907).
>From another inscription on the wall of the central shrine, we get the name
of the deity as Omkaresvaram udaiya Parama-svami (ARE 591 of 1907). There
is a Chandesvara shrine in the campus of this temple, and on its north and
west walls, there is an inscription of Kulottunga III dated in his 25th
regnal year, recording a gift of land and mentioning Anapayapuram in
Tiru-valundur nadu, a subdivision of Jayangondasola valanadu.
>From these inscriptions, we get to know that the temple of Omkaresvara came
to be built before the 25th regnal year of Kulottunga III, corresponding to
a.d. 1203, and that it was built by a local Chief called Jayadhara
Pallavaraiyar. (Pis. 342-8).
Cholesvara (Vikrama Cholisvaram Udaiyar) temple
On the south wall of the central shrine in this temple, there is a record
of the fourth regnal year of a king whose name is lost, recording a gift of
land and an order of Jayadhara Pallavaraiyar, presumably the builder of the
Omkareshwara temple in the same town; evidently the inscription belongs to
the days of Kulottunga III or possibly Rajaraja III. This record refers to
this temple as that of Vikramacholisvaram udaiyar (ARE 477 of 1907). From a
record found on the north wall of the mandapa in front of the Omkareshwara
temple, we get a reference to the shrine of ‘Vikrama Cholisvaram udaiyar at
Kulottungasolan Kurralam in Virudaraja bhayankara valanadu’, and it refers
to the revenue survey in the 16th year of Sungamtavirtta Kulottungasolan
(I). The king is merely called Tribhuvanachakravartin Konerinmai-kondan
arid the royal order is addressed to one Vanadarayan. Evidently r his
refers to another temple or shrine, as we find that this valanadu
(Virudarajabhayankara) was not far from the limits of Kuttalam, which was
itself in Jayangondasola valanadu. We saw, when dealing with the
Uttaravedisvara temple of Kuttalam, that that temple got a gift of land
from the brahmadeya of Bhulokamanikka chaturvedimangalam, which was in
Nallarrur Nadu in Virudaraja bhayankara valanadu (ARE 491 of 1907).
This temple must have come into existence during the days of Vikrama
Chola and has now come to be called by the shortened name of Cholesvara
temple.
Temples of Uttama Chola’s Time
There are three temples at Kuttalam in theTanjavur district and of them,
the most important is the Uttara-vedisvara temple or Uktavedisvara whose
Tamil equivalent is Sonnavararivar. It is now called simply Cholisvaram.
Cholisvara temple (Uttara-Vedisvara or Sonnavararivar temple)
The legends say that Parvati once expressed a desire to Siva to have the
experience of a regular wedding in the orthodox style. And Siva agreed to
do so. Parvati was born as the daughter of Bharata Muni who lived on the
banks of the Kaveri. Siva emerged from the Linga of Turuttiyur and courted
Parvati. To fulfil the old promise, Bharata Muni was made to approach Siva
and make the offer of his daughter in marriage to Shiva. And the wedding of
the divine beings took place as promised by the Lord to Parvati. Hence the
epithet Sonnavararivar (‘He who kept his word’) applied to the deity of
this temple. Turutti means an island in the Kaveri in those days. The place
where Shiva stood was called Uttalam and this name became changed into
Kuttalam, its modern name.
The Devaram hymnists Appar and Sundarar have sung this Lord of
Tirut-turutti. By a bath in the sacred tank of this temple, Sundarar is
said to have been cured of some bodily ailment.
An inscription of the 7th year of Rajaraja I (in 14 fragments) mentions
that this temple was constructed by Sembiyan Mahadeviyar, the mother of
Uttama Chola (103 of 1926). She is also said to have made gifts of land for
offerings, worship, music, and for maintaining 25 brahmans who recited the
Talavukara Sama, Taittiriya And Chandogya Sama Veda in the temple.
In later inscriptions, the temple is called that of Sonnavarariyum
Mahadevar in Vingunir-tirut-turutti in Tiruvalundur nadu.
There are two other later temples here built perhaps in the days of Vikrama
Chola and Kulottunga III.
This is a temple re-built by Sembiyan Mahadevi in the days of Uttama Chola.
The temple faces the west. The oldest part of the temple of the days of
Sembiyan Mahadevi consists of the garbhagriha (21 ft. 8 inches - 6.6 m. -
square), the antarala (2 ft. 5 in. - 0.80 m. - wide) and the ardha-mandapa
extending 19 ft. 2 in. (5.80 m.). There are two dvarapalas at the entrance
to the ardhamandapa.
The antarala has a diamond-shaped grille.
The three main devakoshtas on the outer wall of the garbhagriha project
forward, and Brahma, Lingod-bhavar and Dakshinamurti are installed in them.
The other devakoshta sculptures on the walls of the ardha mandapa are
Ardhanarisvara, Durga and Bhik-shatanar on the north, and Nataraja,
Ganapati and Agastya on the south. There are makara-toranas over the
niches. One sculpture seems to represent a portrait of Gandaraditya
worshipping the Linga.
The pilasters have cushion capitals and square palagai. The brackets have
roll-ornaments with median bands. There is a bhutagana frieze below the
cornice. The second tala is adorned with salas and kutas. The griva and
sikhara are round. There are a number of panels of miniature-sculptures.
This temple, in its main features, resembles the temple at Konerirajapuram
(Pis. 181-184).
Kuthalam refers to one of the various famous Siddha Centre
distributed throughout South India and Tamil Nadu. The Siddha cult
represents a Tantric philosophy that emerged from the combination of
several elements found in traditions such as Shaivism (viz., Pashupata),
Shaktism, Jainism, Tantric Buddhism (Vajrayana), etc. Both the Siddha and
the Navanath cult (i.e., Nava-natha, ‘nine saints’) are popular in South
India [viz., Kuthalam] and Tamilnadu. A Siddha was an inspired seer
belonging to the marginalized sections of society who dissolved their past
karma and crushed the roots of future karma.
K RAJARAM IRS 11 9 24
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: 'gopala krishnan' via iyer123 <[email protected]>
Date: Wed, 11 Sept 2024 at 11:53
Subject: [iyer123] THIRUKKUTRALANATHASAMY TEMPLE
To: Iyer <[email protected]>
THIRUKKUTRALANATHASAMY TEMPLE
TENKASI DISTRICT- TAMILNADU- COMPILED
Dear friends,
I had been to this temple about 5 years back with family after having bath
in Kurtalam falls.
Though the distance between Tenkasi and Kurtalam is 7 KMs, the two Siva
temples appeared very close to me.
The temple is close to Kurtalam falls, but a depth of about 30 feet, one
has to get down the steps to reach the temple. No hand rails are provided
in the steps.
One has to be careful since the falls and temple area, there are a lot of
monkeys now, which may catch our bags thinking food items.
I have read elsewhere, it was originally a lord Vishnu temple and by his
mystic power sage Agasthia changed it to Siva temple.
The temple is large in size. We can see number of kurathies near the
entrance telling prophecy.
Hope a divine reading.
Gopalakrishnan 11-09-2024
1Introduction
God Arulmigu Thirkkutralanathar
Goddess Arultharum Kuzhalvoimozhi
Theertham Sivamathu Ganga Theertham (Peraruvi)
Sthala Vriksham Kurumbala tree
Agamam Maguda Agamum
Sakthi Peetam Dharani Peetam – Sri Parasakthi Peetam
Sabai Chitrasabai
At a distance of 200 m from Courtallam Bus Station, 7 km from Tenkasi and
62 km from Tirunelveli, The Kutralanathar Temple also known as
Thirukkutralanathar is one of the most popular temples of Tamilnadu and is
dedicated to Lord Shiva.
It is one of the 275 Thevara Shivasthalas of Lord Shiva. The temple is of
2000 years old and there are lot of old Tamil inscriptions of Chola and
Pandyan periods. It is situated near Courtallam Falls.
This is a conch shaped temple and is referred to as Sangakkovil. In the
shrine, the presiding deity Lord Shiva is called as Kuttralanathar and his
consort Goddess Parvathi is called as Kuzhalvoi Mozhiammai.
There is a separate shrine for Adi Parasakthi which is very popular which
is a Shakthi Peetha. Nandi idol is facing the main shrine.
2 Legends
According to one legend, this temple was originally a Vishnu shrine. Lord
Siva sent Saint Agastya to the south to avoid an imbalance due to
overcrowding in the Mount Kailas on his celestial wedding. At Courtallam
Saint Agastya found a Vaishnava temple and by his mystic power Agastya
converted it in to a Siva Temple.
Vishnu changed into a Sivalingam the conch in his hand expanded as the
temple and the chakra rose as the peak. The finger prints of Sage Agastya
on the Linga are still visible.
So the deity has permanent head-ache and to cure it, abisheka is performed
every evening with 64 herbs. Moreover, during the pooja at night a
concoction of herb is prepared as Prasadam. The conch shape of the temple
indicates that it was a vaishnative temple. Since conch is sacred to
vaishnavites.
According to another legend, during the divine wedding of Shiva and
Parvathi, there was heavy crowd at Kailash, the abode of Shiva. Sage
Agasthya could not view event and prayed to Shiva at this place to get him
a view of the event. Pleased by his devotion, Shiva appeared to the sage
and his wife Lopamundra along with Parvathi in his marriage attire. Shiva
made the place his abode and came to be called Kutralanathar.
As per another legend, sage Urosamar floated a set of flowers in the river
and the first flower reached the shore at this place. The sage established
a temple for Kutralathanathar and worshipped the deity here.
3 Historical Significance
There is news about pothigai Hills in Sangam literature. Courtallam is
considered as one of the towns of Sangam period. Though it was under the
rule of Aoi Andren, the chola King Kochenkannan planted the sthalavriksham.
All these prove that Kutralanathar worship had been in practice since
Sangam Period .In “Sivaperuman Anthathi” written by Kabilar in Pallava
Period, the natural ambience of Courtallam and the popularity of
Kutralanathar are referred to. It also proves the name and fame of
Courtallam and the temple even then.
The initial Thirukkutralanathar temple was constructed by Raja Raja Chola.
During the Pandyan reign, the artha-mandapa, maha-mandapa, separate temple
for the goddess and several other structures were built. At the time of
Nayak rule, Parasakthi temple, the compound wall, sangu street, inner
street and few other shrines were built.
4 Importance of Inscriptions
There are 89 inscriptions (Kalvet) in Thirukutralanathar temple.10
inscriptions belonging to the period of the cholaking ParakesariVarman and
Paranthahan, the first are found. Only the first inscription refers to the
God as Thirukkutrala Perumal and those belonging to the later period refer
to the God as Kutralathevan and Madevan.
The reference to the date of the solar eclipse in the inscriptions
indicates that the historians calculated the kings dynasty on its basis.The
Practice of donating Gold,Money,Cow,Sheep and Buffalo also finds a
reference in them. Since the name Perumal is found only in the inscriptions
of this chola King, it may be inferred that there were both the shrines of
Lord Perumal and Lord Siva.
5 Literary Importance
The Thevara Songs written during the Pallava Kings alone mention about the
town Courtallam and the God.Appar, Sundarar, Gnanasambandhar and
Manikkavasahar, the four great poets, have sung about this this place.
The name Courtallam gets the first mention only in Thevaram songs. Books
sacred to saivites- Thevaram, Thiruvasagam, Thirukovaiar, Siva Peruman
Thiruvanthathi and Peria puram-refer to him as koothan residing in
courtallam. The Poets of Nayakkar period like Pattinathar, Arunagirinathar
also have written about the God of Courtallam. Thrikooda Rasappa Kavirayar
has sung of Kutralanathar and Kuzhalvoimozhi Amman in fourteen
Chitrilakkiams.
6Temple structure
The temple has a conch-shaped temple (prakaram (closed precincts of a
temple)) plan and is referred to as Sangakkovil. In the shrine, 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 away from the main temple. Architecturally the Chitrasabha resembles
that of the other Nataraja Sabhas elsewhere in Tamil Nadu, 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.
The sthala vriksham is Kurum Palaa and the Theertham is Chitranadhi.
Nataraja is sported with Nritya Thandavam posture.[6]
The temple has five entrances, with four representing the four Vedas and
one serving as a special entrance for Pilavendan who came to the temple to
enjoy the dance of Lord Shiva. The Devas in this temple are believed to be
worshipping the Lord in the day while Sage Agastya is believed to do it in
the night.
Dwarapalakas in this temple are very unique because they are designed to
look like they are conversing with each other.
The temple also has Panchaboodha Lingams representing Fire, Earth, Water,
Air, and Space.
7 The Presiding Deities
The presiding deity Lord Shiva is called Kuttralanathar, and his consort
Goddess Parvathi is called Kuzhalvai Mozhiammai. A separate shrine
dedicated to Adi Parasakthi is considered a Shakthi Peetha and is very
popular with devotees. The Nandi idol faces the main shrine.
7A Sub deities
There are idols of : Lord Vishnu, Nellaiyappar Gandhimathi
Ambal, Tenkasi
Viswanathar Swamy
Kasi Viswanathar, Kasi Visalakshi, Ulagammai Ambikai and
Navagrahas.
This holy temple is graced by Lord Vallabha Ganapathy. Lord Muruga is seen
in his special shrine with Valli and Devasena, his two consorts.
Sakthi Peetam, feeding Goddess Parvathi Devi, Lord Krishna with flute,
Agabatha Moorthy, the God of the South, Veerapathirar, Murugar, Pillayar,
Meenakshi, Gajendra Moksha katchi, Visabaruder, Kangalar Ravana Arugraha
Moorthi and Siva kicking Yama are the figures of deities. In addition
Sculptures of kings and of incidents from purana are also found there.
8 The Sacred Tree
The Jack Tree or the Kurumpala is the sacred tree or sthalam of the
Kutralanathar temple. The sacred tree is enclosed in an altar constructed
around the sacred jackfruit tree with Adhi Kurumbala Easier shaped like a
Peeta. Interestingly, the tree produces fruit yearly, but no one picks it.
What's more unusual is that the jackfruits are shaped like Shiva lingams.
The Sthala Theertham or sacred water source is Siva Madhu Ganga in the
North Falls.
9 Temple timings
>From 6.00 A.M to 12 Noon
>From 4.30 P.M to 8 P.M
10 Pooja Times
Pooja for eight times (ettu kala pooja) are performed as per Magudagamum.
Thiruvananthal 6.00 A.M
Uthayamarthandam 7.00 A.M
Vila Pooja 8.00 A.M
Sirukala Sandhi 9.00 A.M
Kala Sandhi 10.00 A.M
Utchi Kalam 12.00 Noon
Sayaratchai 6.00 P.M
Arthasamam 8.00 P.M
11 Festivals
Chithrai Vishu Thirunal 10 days
Aippasi Vishu Thirunal 10 days
Margazhi Thiruvathirai Thirunal 10 days
Navarathri Thirunal 9 days
Adi Ammavasai Patthira Theepa Thirunal 1 day
Avani Moola Thirunal 1 day
Aippasi Thirukkalyana Thirunal 1 day
Kandha Shasti Thirunal 6 days
Karthigai Theepa Thirunal 1 day
Thai Maha Theppa Thirunal 1 day
Masi Matha Sivarathiri 1 day
Panguni Uthira Thirunal 1 day.
Chithrai Vishu Thirunal, Aippasi Vishu Thirunal, Margazhi Thiruvathirai
Thirunal and Theppa Thirunal are Special Festivals of the temple.
The 10-day Purattasi Navarathri for Parasakti in September/October,
Brahmotsavam in Aipasi (October/November), Margazhi Tiruvadhirai in
December/January, Thai Float festival in January/February, Panguni Uthiram
in March/April are the main festivals celebrated in the temple.
Arudra Darisanam is celebrated in the Chitrasabha, and the Taandava Deepa
Aradhanai carried out then is of significance here. In the annual festival
Shiva appears as Bhrama, Vishnu, Rudra, Eswara, Sadasiva and Subramanya.
Other festivals celebrated here are Vasanta Utsavam in Chittirai,
Pavitrotsavam in Kartikai, Navaratri, Skanda Sashti, Chittirai Vishu and
Aippasi Vishu. The ivory chariot used in processions is of great beauty.
12Benefits of worshipping in the temple
The Worshippers are redeemed of their sins.
The Worshippers are blessed with everything they pray for.
The devotees doing Sandal abishekam for God Manakkolanathar get married
soon.
13 Temple Cars
There are five temple cars and it is the speciality of this temple.
1 Arulmigu Vinayagar Car 2 Arulmigu Murugar Car 3 Arulmigu
Natarajar Car 4 Arulmigu Swami Car 5 Arulmigu Amman Car
14 Pancha sabha Kshethram
This is one of the Pancha Sabha Kshetram of Lord Shiva known as Chithra
Sabha temple. The five dance halls of Shiva are Chidambaram, Madurai,
Tiruvalankadu, Tirunelveli and Courtallam. The marvelous Chithra Sabha
positioned here is prominent for its stunning wall painting and carvings
with a close resemblance to Chidambaram. The Chitra Sabha or the hall of
pictures is located in a picturesque location, 500 m away from the main
temple. Lord Shiva as Nataraja is brought here during festivals from the
Kurumpalaveesar temple.
The roof of Chitra Sabha is made up of copper plates and its interior is
decorated with paintings with natural dyes out of herbs. Parakirama
Pandiyan (1422 – 1483 AD) started the work for chitrasabha and if is
presumed that Uthayamarthanda Varman Completed it.
As it is the dancing hall of Lord Shiva, we find statues of dancing girls
bedecked with jewels as if welcoming, on the stages of mandapas on both the
sides of the entrance. There is a statue of a singer with the musical
instrument. Wooden carvings are seen on the doors at the entrance.
Coutrallam's Chitra Sabha is also famous for its copper-plated roof and is
decorated with paintings created completely out of natural dyes. Historical
records state that Parakrima Pandiyan commenced the work on the Chitra
Sabha, which was then completed by Uthayamarthanda Varman.
15 Shenbaga Devi Amman Temple
This temple on mountain is five kilometers away from Kutralanathar temple.
Only after the Pooja for the Goddess here, festivals of Thirukutralanathar
temple begin. During Full Moon day of Chitrai Month ten days festivals is
celebrated for Shenbaga Devi Amman.
16Annadhanam
Under the Annadhana Scheme of the Honorable Chief Minister Annadhanam is
arranged at 12 O’ Clock for 100 devotees daily during the Saral Season and
Mandala Season and for 50 members on other days from 23.03.2002.
17Accommodation
There are many lodges with modern facilities available for low rent in
addition to that One Dormitory hall was Construct in west Car Street and
New Thendral Bhavanam building was also constructed in Sannathi Street
using temple fund.
18Transport Facilities
By road
Buses from Chennai (via Trichy, Madurai, Rajapalayam,Tenkasi) to Shencottah
stop at Courtallam near Tenkasi town.
By Rail
Trains from Chennai to Shencottah Fast board at Tenkasi Railway Station.
By Air
Madurai Airport is the nearest airport.
19 Location of temple
Distance (From Tenkasi Bus Station): 7 Kms
Place Location: Adjacent To Courtallam Main Falls
Travel Tips: This place is just adjacent to Courtallam Falls and usually
visited after the falls
20 Contact Address
Assistant Commissioner/Executive Officer,
Arulmigu Thirucourtrallanathaswamy Temple,
Courtallam – 627 802.
Tenkasi Taluk. Tirunelveli District.
Telephone Numbers : 04633 – 283 138 (Office) / 04633 – 283 216 (Temple)
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