Chinthamaneeswarar Temple, Karungali, Thiruvallur
Chinthamaneeswarar Temple is a
Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Karungali near Pulicat in
Thiruvallur District of Tamilnadu. Karungali is also called as Kattur. Lord
Shiva of this Temple is family deity for the local fishing community and Chitra
Pournami is celebrated in a grand manner. The temple occupies between the river
Kosasthalaiyar river and Sea without any human habitation. The speciality
of this temple is that, it has sea in the front side, a river behind it and
forest on the other side. It is a very rare sight to see a temple amidst such a
natural setting.
This
place is worth visiting for its picturesque location and uniqueness in spite of
distance and bad roads. Lord Shiva has 5 faces; Isanam, Thatpurusham, Vaamadevam,
Sathyojaatham and Agoram. There are 5 ancient Shiva temples on the banks of
Kosasthalaiyar (Brahmaranya River) representing the 5 faces of Lord Shiva and
this is one of them representing the Agora face of Lord Shiva. The other 4
being Ramagiri Vaaleeswarar (Isanam), Suruttuppalli Pallikondeeswarar (Thatpurusham), Arani (near Periyapalayam) Sampangi Pichaaleeswarar (Vaamadevam)
and Ariyathurai Varamoortheeswarar (Sathyojaatham).
Legends
As per
the legend, there lived a Rishi (Saint) by name Sattai Muni who performed
Thapas (penance) in this place on the banks of Brahmaranya River. It is said
that he formed this temple and worshipped Lord Shiva here.
History
It is an
ancient temple built by Chola Kings. After the demise of the Chola kingdom this
temple had been abandoned and buried under beach sand dunes for many centuries.
The temple was discovered by the local people when it’s Kalasam emerged out.
The temple has been excavated fully now and rejuvenated to its old glory. According
to the inscriptions, the temple is over 1300 years old.
The
Temple
For
brief details, please refer below link;
Temple
Opening Time
Only one
Kaala pooja is undertaken here at this temple (from 9.00 AM -12 Noon). Temple
is open in the afternoon on Pradhosha days though.
Festivals
Chithra
Pournami (Full moon day in the Thamizh month of Chithirai) is very popular here
in this temple. People from neighboring villages and also from other places
throng here in the night of Chithra Pournami, prepare Pongal and offer to the
Lord and worship Chinthamaneeswarar here. It is said that the entire place will
be filled with people and everyone will be staying overnight on the sands
during that night to get their wishes fulfilled. Sri Chinthamaneeswarar is the Kuladeivam
(family God) for the fishermen in this village. Also, the people of this
village worship the Lord here by preparing Pongal at the temple, like how it is
done in Amman temple in villages. It is very rare and unusual to see this type
of worship in Shiva temples.
Prayers
This
temple is considered equivalent to Kasi (Varanasi) and Rameshwaram as it lies
both on the sea shore and the banks of a holy river. Performing annual rites to
the ancestors during Amavasya (No Moon) and Pournami (Full Moon) days here is
considered equal to that of performing them in Kasi or Rameswaram. Many people
visit here to do the annual rites to their ancestors. It is also believed that
the Lord grant their wishes who worship him here and stay overnight during
Pournami days.
Contact
Chinthamaneeswarar Temple,
Karungali, Thiruvallur District
Mobile: +91 98402 14130
Connectivity
For
brief details, please refer below link;
