Karkuvel Ayyanar Temple, Therikudiyiruppu, Thoothukudi

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.

Email: srikarkuvelayyanar@gmail.com

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.