Karungulam Perumal Temple, Thoothukudi
This is
a twin temple of Lord Venkatachalapathi and Lord Srinivasar with Sridevi and Bhoodevi
besides each other on top of the hill. The enshrined God of Lord Venkatachalapathi
is in the form of two sandalwood sticks (Tharkals) that came from Thirupathy,
which are used to drive the temple car in the festivals. These sticks are
placed close to each other and consecrated in the Sanctum Sanctorum.
Karungulam
is located 8 kms South-East of Krishnapuram. There is a big hill in this
village and is located on the Southern bank of the Thamirabarani River in a
scenic location. The hill is called Vagulagiri in the ancient scripts
since the hill was flourishing with beautiful Vakula flowers. The water in the
tanks surrounding this area is blackish in colour and hence the name Karungulam.
Vagulagiri
is situated on the way from Tirunelveli to Thiruchendur by the banks of the
river Tamirabharani. The temple is also called Vagulagiri Kshetram and the
presiding deity is Sri Venkatachalapathi. The temple is on a small hill and is
visible from the main road itself that goes to Thiruchendur.
This
village is very near to the Adichanallur where ancient civilized people lived.
Many edges of Thaazhi or big pots used to bury the dead bodies are protruding
in the earth surface in the ground portion of Kottai Vasal. Coins and mud
vessels have obtained in some places where the ground is dug for laying
foundation to new houses. Further archaeological probing may bring out the
ancient history of this village.
Etymology
It is
interesting to know how the hill at Karungulam acquired the name Vagulagiri.
Once upon a time this hill was flourished and covered with
beautiful Vagulam Flowers and so it has acquired this name.
Legends
Vagulagiri Mahatmiyam:
Vagulagiri
Mahatmiyam is a small recorded palm chuvadi in which the existence of Gods at
this hill is depicted. How, why and by whom the Vagulagiri Lords are
consecrated is also explained from the Grantham scripts it was later translated
into Tamil by Brammashri Venkatachala Shastrigal of this village. Baagligam is
an ancient country in India. Kalharam is a state in this country. King
Subakandan reined this fertile wealthy state. The people of this state had good
regard for his sovereignty. But Subakandan was not happy. He had a deep cancer
like wound on his neck. He suffered severe unbearable pain.
No
native doctor of this village could cure it. In the course of time the wound spread
out, worms produced and unbearable pain persisted. What cannot be cured by
doctors is easily cured by our deep prayer towards God. Subakandan had good
faith in Lord of the seven hills. Sri Venkatachalapathi. He started to Thirupathy
to pay homage to the abiding Lord there. He stayed there for a long time doing
prayers, penances and arathanas with full of heart. He prayed Him sincerely
with songs and Slokas for relief of the pain.
The Lord
came into his dream and asked him to erect a chariot made from the good variety
of Sandal Wood available in the nearby forest. After the erection of the
chariot two sticks would remain. The Lord told the king that He himself would
prevail in these sticks. The Lord also asked the king to carry these sticks to
the southern parts of India and to a village called Krishna Thadagam or
Karungulam and approaches the small hill there and found a suitable place.to
fix it.
These
actions would bring a permanent cure to his disease. The king acted accordingly
and consecrated these sandal sticks in between the holy tamarind tree called
Urangapuli and the existing Sri Srinivasa temple. From this time two Lords,
Venkatachalapathi and Srinivasa with Sridevi and Bhoodevi are worshipped by the
people in this temple.
Sri
Mahamago Upathyaya Krishna Shastrigal is the father of Sri Venkatachala
Shastrigal, a great Sanskrit scholar who has written the Stala Puranam of
Vedaranyam Temple called Vedharanya Mahathmiyam in Tamil.
Specialty
There
are two temples - one of Srinivasar and another of Venkatachalapathi besides
each other on the same hill. The temple is said to be good for those suffering
from heart diseases. The Lord is said to be relieve the devotees of Naga dosha
and psychological problems like depression. Many siddhas are said to have
visited this temple and it is believed that they continue to live here in
a different form. Sage Agasthiyar has also come to the temple several
times.
The
Temple
Vagulagiri
is a small hillock situated on the southern bank of Thamiraparani on the
Tirunelveli – Thiruchendur route. Several
temples were present on both the sides of river Thamiraparani. Karungulam is
also known as Vagulagiri Kshetram. Vagulagiri is small hill situated on the
southern bank of Tamirabarani River. The temple is more than 1000 years old.
Vagulagiri is the first temple in this route and located upon a hillock at
Karungulam. There are two temples with gopuram, one on the foot of the hillock
and the other upon the hillock.
Vagulagiri
hill is situated at the northeastern side of Karungulam village. The people of
this village are staunch devotees of Lord Venkatachalapathi, the main deity on
the hill temple. This Lord has come from Thirupathy. The enshrined god in this
temple is in the form of two sticks. These sticks are made up of sandalwood and
placed close to each other and consecrated in the Sanctum Sanctorum.
The Thamiraparani River flows on the eastern side of this village parallel
to the Tirunelveli -Thiruchendur High road. It is believed that
the Pushkarani water of Thirupathy adds to Thamiraparani water and makes it
sacred. Have a bath in Thamiraparani before going for darshan at Vagulagiri makes
one purified from sins and elevate him to a peaceful life.
The
presiding deity is Venkatachalapathi perumal (Lord made of sandalwood
sticks). There are two temples - one of Srinivasar and another of Venkatachalapathi
besides each other on the same hill. Lord Venkatachalapathi is said to cure
those suffering from heart diseases, relieve the devotees of Naga dosha and
psychological problems like depression.
Temple
Opening Time
The
temple is open from 7 am to 10.30 am in the mornings and from 5 pm to 8 pm in
the evenings.
Festivals
10th day
Chithirai festival is the most famous festival celebrated in this Temple. Apart
from the Chithirai festival, Puratasi Sani Garuda Sevai is celebrated in all
the Saturdays of Puratasi month. Pavithrothsavam Festival is celebrated for
three days in the month of July. A committee called Pavithrothsavam Committee
conducts this festival every year. Vishnu Sahasranama Lakshrachana is
celebrated every year and concludes with a grand Pushpanchali on the day of
Masi Magam.
Connectivity
It is
located 42 Kms towards west from District headquarters Thoothukudi. Karungulam
is about 15 Km from Tirunelveli, towards Thiruchendur. It is located next to Adichanallur
on the way to Thiruchendur, the famous temple of Lord Muruga.