Marthandeshwarar Temple, Karungulam, Thoothukudi
Sri
Kulasekara Nayagi Sametha Marthandeshwarar Temple is an important temple
dedicated to Lord Shiva at Karungulam. Lord Shiva is worshiped here as
Marthandeshwarar. In addition to Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvathi, Murugan and
Vinayagar are also worshiped here. Sri Marthandeshwarar Temple in Karungulam is
located at 8°38'43.9"N 77°51'16.0"E or 8.645515, 77.854452. The
temple is located at the base of a hill. The Lord Shiva of this temple was
consecrated by God Surya.
Marthandeshwarar
Temple is at the very entrance of this village, and so it is also called as
Marthandam Karungulam. The unique feature of this temple is that the Navagrahas
are with their wives. In Agasthiar Naadi Jothidam some of the people are asked
to worship these Navagrahas with wives, which indicate that this temple is very
old. This village is surrounded by a very few tanks and the water in these
tanks is blackish in colour and hence it has acquired this fantastic name.
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.
Legends
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.
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.
The
Temple
Lord
Shiva is named as Marthandeshwarar in this temple. The east facing temple does
not have a tower. As per the legend, Lord Surya (the Sun God) constructed this
temple. The other typical features such as flag staff, Bali peetham and Nandi
are all located facing towards the east facing main shrine. Marthandeshwarar,
the main deity, is slightly larger Shiva Linga. The Goddess Kulasekhara Nayaki
is found in a separate south facing shrine in the prakara.
Dakshinamurti
is found as the niche idol in the prakara. The idols of Surya, Chandra,
Bhairava, Saneeswara and Adhikara Nandi are located in the prakara. The sub
shrines of Ganesha, Subramanya and Chandikeshwarar are also found in the prakara.
The maha mandapa has a sub shrine full of Utsava (metal) idols of Nataraja
Sivakami and other deities.
At the
entrance of the maha mandapa, the idol of Anugnai Vinayaka is found. Near the
flag staff, the idols of Ganesha and Subramanya are located. There are five
Shiva Lingas along with Ambal in the prakara. They are called as Pancha Lingas.
There is another important shrine in this temple which is dedicated to
Mahalingar and his consort Dharmasamvardhini. The idols of Ganesha and Nandi
are also found in this shrine.
The
highlight of the temple is Navagrahas, the nine planets. Surya is found with
his two consorts. All other eight planets are found along with their respective
consorts. It is very rare to find planets with their wives.
Connectivity
It is
located 42 Kms towards west from District headquarters Thoothukudi. It is
located next to Adichanallur on the way to Thiruchendur, the famous temple of
Lord Muruga.