Wednesday, January 4, 2017

Vaikundamurthi Temple, Kottayur, Sundarapandiyam, Srivilliputhur, Virudhunagar

Vaikundamurthi Temple, Kottayur, Sundarapandiyam, Srivilliputhur, Virudhunagar
Vaikundamurthi Temple is dedicated to Village Deity Ayyanar in Kottayur Village of Sundarapandiyam near Srivilliputhur in Virudhunagar District of Tamilnadu.

History
About 300 years back, this area was ruled by a king called Mara Varman Pandiyan. An old man and woman were walking in the forest near the village one day. Suddenly in front of them an ant hill grew up. They tried to find out what is inside the ant hill. The knife with old man touched a stone and it started to bleed. They went back to the village and brought other people. Inside the ant hill was the statue of Vaikunda Murthi with his wives. The king came to the village to see the God. When he was there, the God entered one villager and he requested the king to build a temple for him.
The king and the people built a temple there. During this time, there was a temple of Periya Karuppasamy near the mountains. There was an earth quake on the mountain and the idol of Periya Karuppasamy was pushed before the temple of Vaikunda murthi. Vaikunda Murthi permitted him to have temple near him. From that time onwards Periya Karuppasamy helps Vaikunda Murthi in all his affairs. In the village of Manapparai, it seems there was a God called Mamundi Karuppar, who used to visit Sundara Pandiyam very often. During one of his visits, Vaikunda Murthi summoned him through Periya Karuppasamy.
Vaikunda Murthi wanted Mamundi Karuppu also to stay with him. But it seems Mamundi Karuppu agreed provided his orders were obeyed by Periya Karuppusamy. This was agreed to. During the early times it seems a Kerala King who was a magician tied up all rains and water to this kingdom. Mamundi Karuppu went there and caused serious stomach ache to the Kerala queen. No doctors were able to cure it. Mamundi Karuppu approached the king for curing the disease. When he did, he asked the Kerala king to untie the rain and water to Sundara Pandiyam. There was heavy rain in Sundara Pandiyam and all their problems were solved.
The Temple
Sri Vaikundamurthi graces as Sastha while going for Parivettai on the outer temple and as Aiyanar within the temple with his consorts Poorana and Pushkala in dual forms. Just outside the temple there is a statue of a 15 foot high horse on which Vaikunda Murthi is seen to be riding.
Temple Opening Time
The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. continuously.
Festivals
Chithirai Thiruvizha in April-May, Parivettai, Maha Shivrathri and Masi Amavasya, new moon day in February-March are the festivals celebrated in the temple.
Connectivity
Sundarapandiyam is 1 km on the Kottayur main road in Srivilliputhur Taluk of Virudhunagar District. Nearest Railway Station is located at Srivilliputhur and Nearest Airport is located at Madurai.