Karkuvel Ayyanar Temple, Therikudiyiruppu, Thoothukudi
Karkuvel
Ayyanar is a regional deity, who is popular in South India,
particularly in Tamilnadu. Sri Karkuvel Ayyanar temple is located in a village
named Therikudiyiruppu in Kayamozhi, Thoothukudi in Tamilnadu. This Ayyanar temple is in a village which is near the
famous Thiruchendur temple of Tamilnadu.
The
Karkuvel Ayyanar temple is on the west side of the village. This temple is only
14 kilometer from Thiruchendur
(State Highway 40). Sri Karkuvel Ayyanar temple is about
500–1000 years old. It is surrounded by Red sand.
Legends
It seems
once upon a time this area was ruled by a Pandya king called Athi Veera Rana Soora
Pandyan. He had a minister called Ayyanar. It is believed he was the human form
of the son of Shiva and Vishnu. In this kingdom there was a special mango tree
near a pond. This mango tree yielded only one mango fruit per year. It was a
believed that eating that fruit would give divine powers. So the king protected
the mango tree with several security guards.
In that
village there lived a pious widow. She used to take water daily morning for her
use. One day the mango which had fallen in the previous night went in to her
water pot and she carried it home without knowing it. Next day morning the
security guards started searching for the fruit.
When
they tried to enter the widow’s house, Ayyanar told them not to enter there.
The king refused his request and the security found the divine mango in the
widow’s house. When the king wanted to give her death punishment and again Ayyanar
told about the innocence of the widow. Then the widow got angry and cursed that
the entire village including the king’s country should burn. Only Ayyanar
escaped. He entered a Karkuva tree and became one with it.
After
several centuries, the village was rebuilt. Whenever the load bearing bulls
tried to cross the Karkuva tree, it seems they fell down. So the villagers
decided to cut the roots of the tree. When they tried to cut it, blood started
oozing from the tree. Then a voice from the tree told them that Ayyanar was
living in the tree. So the villagers built a temple for him and started calling
the God Karkuvel Ayyanar.
He sits
in the temple along with his wives Poornam and Porkamalam (similar to Poorna
and Pushkala, the wives of Sastha). There are several minor Gods in the temple
such as Udhiramadan, Malayamman, Ivar Raja, Vanniya Raja, Vannichi, Pechiyamman
etc.
It seems
when the temple was being built a thief stole the ornaments of the wives of Ayyanar.
He immediately became blind. He was also beheaded by Vanniya Raja. All the
local people were informed about this by Ayyanar. The villagers pleaded for
giving life to the thief. Ayyanar made him alive. Later, this thief also became
a God in this temple called- Robber God. Due to this incident no theft takes
place in the boundaries of the village even today.
The
Temple
Lord
Ayyanar is the main deity with his wives Poornam and Porkamalam. There are
several Gods in the temple such as Udhiramadan, Malayamman, Ivar Raja, Vanniya
Raja, Vannichi, Pechiyamman, Ponirulapar etc. (South Tamilnadu Gods).
Temple
Opening Time
The temple
is open from 6.00 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. and 5.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Pooja Timings
·
Kalasanthi
Pooja - 8.00 a.m. to 9.00 a.m
·
Uchikala
Pooja - 11.00 a.m. to 12.00 Noon
·
Sayaratchai
- 6.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m
Pooja
Fees Details
Nithiya Pooja Kattalai:
In this
temple pooja will be conducted three times per day. The concern devotees can
take the poojas for one day. The poojas will be conducted for all 365 days. So,
the cost of one day pooja is Rs. 3000/-. The Donation for pooja will be
accepted by demand drafts. The concern devotees want to book the poojas for one
day the can pay amount of Rs. 2000/- by demand drafts.
|
Fees Details
|
Price
|
|
Thengai
|
Rs. 1.00
|
|
Mudi Ticket
|
Rs. 10.00
|
|
Kaathu Kuthu
|
Rs. 5.00
|
|
Pongal
|
Rs. 5.00
|
|
Abishegam
|
Rs. 25.00
|
|
Bus, lorry Parking Ticket
|
Rs. 30.00
|
|
Van, Mini Van Parking Ticket
|
Rs. 20.00
|
|
Car Parking Ticket
|
Rs. 10.00
|
|
Two Wheeler Parking Ticket
|
Rs. 5.00
|
Festivals
The main
festival in Karkuvel Ayyanar Temple is "Kallar Vettu" (Cutting the
Robber). On the last three days of the month of Karthigai (November-December) a
great festival called “The cutting of robber” festival takes place at this
temple. First two days, there is ritual worship of Ayyanar who is vegetarian
God. The story of Ayyanar is sung as Villu Pattu (bow music) during this
festival. After this the priests of the fifteen subsidiary Gods go to the
festival shops and bring whatever they like from there. Three hands full of
whatever is taken are given to the musicians.
Later
one red coconut is kept on a rope symbolizing Ayyanar and is cut. It seems
previously the coconut was cut kept on the head of Samiyadi of Ayyanar. Then
all the villagers prepare Pongal in front of the Ayyanar temple. Next day lots
of animals are sacrificed for pleasing the subsidiary gods of the temple. There
is also a festival on the Panguni Uthiram day (March-April). Wednesdays and
Saturdays are considered special days at the temple. Ivaraja Pooja and Aadikkodai
Festival are the other festivals celebrated in this temple with much fanfare.
People
wanting children pray Pechiamman of the temple and people pray Vanniya Raja to
get rid of the effects of black magic. Villu Pattu (bow music) about the Praise
of Lord Ayyanar is another attraction during Festival. Many lakhs people gather
here on this festival. Belief says due to this God, there is no theft around
these Villages.
Contact
Arulmigu
Karkuvel Ayyanar Temple,
Therikudiyiruppu
(Post),
Kuthirai
Mozhi Village,
Thiruchendur
Taluk,
Tuticorin
district - 628 228
Phone: 04639 - 232530.
Clerk: 94431 15045.
Connectivity
This
Temple is located at a distance of 10 Kms from Thiruchendur Bus Stand. Nearest
Railway Stations are located at a distance of 10 Kms from Thiruchendur and
Kurumbur. Nearest Airport is located at a distance of 50 Kms from Vaagaikulam,
Thoothukudi. Two inbound and outbound flight services are available to Chennai
daily. Major Airport is located at Madurai at a distance of 200 Kms. Thiruvananthapuram
Airport is located at a distance of 190 Kms from this Temple.
