Karaimel Azhagar Ayyanar Temple, Kanadukathan,
Sivaganga
Karaimel
Azhagar Ayyanar Temple is dedicated to local village deity Ayyanar located at
Kanadukathan village in Sivaganga District. The Temple is called as Sri Poorna
Pushkala Ambal Sammedha Hariharapudhra Maha Saastha Sri Karaimel Azhagar Ayyanar.
It was believed that Ayyanar is the next incarnation of Lord Ayyappan of Sabari
Malai. Parivara Theivangal in this Temple is similar to Sabarimalai.
Legends
There
was a hear say that Kanadu Kathan, Sri Sathappa Chettiyar’s family
members passed through this place with their daughter, the lady went
for outside and she did not turned up after a long time.
When she
was called a voice (அசரீரி) was heard as “I had joined with Karuppar (நான் கருப்பனுடன் கலந்து விட்டேன்)”. After that Sri Ayyanar has become the Kula
Theivam for these people. Annual festivals are regularly conducted.
Chettiyars used tonsured their first sons or daughters in this temple.
Ayyanar
is believed to be an incarnation of Lord Sri Ayyapan (who was born to Lord
Shiva and Vishnu) married Poornakala and Pushpakala and stayed in this temple
to bless the Nagarathars as Kaval Theivam. Some of the miracles happened here
was the thieves who entered in to this temple have lost their eye sight.
History
Ayyanar
was once in the midst of thorny bush and a thatched shed was constructed
by the 5 sons of Ayangudi Vellayan Chettiyar. After 200 years, a stone temple
was re – constructed.
The
Temple
Presiding
deity is called as Ayyanar and Mothers are Poornakala and Pushpakala. The
temple is facing east with a thirukulam on the south side. Moolavar is in
sitting posture with a lotus on one hand. Kanadukathan Sri Sathappa Chettiyar’s
statue is in mandapam, whose predecessors had done the construction of
this temple.
In
parakaram, Sannadhi for Nondi Karuppar, Pechiamman, Paramanur Kali,
Periya Karuppar, Chinna Karuppar, 18m padi Karuppar, Pechi Muthamman, Akora
Veerapathirar, Saptha maathakkal, Muneeswarar, Arasu Mukam, Sannasi (Sanyasi or
a munivar) and Bairavar are located.
Balipeedam
with vahanam Elephant are in the mandapam. Dwarapalakars are in sudhai
installed at the entrance of the temple. Sudhai Horse with sirpangal is located
at the left side of the main temple entrance. It is believed that this Ayyanar
is Kula Theivam for Kanadukathan Nattukkottai Nagarathars and also for Madurai
Melur Naavinipatti, Valladappatti, Kottakkudi, and Attadaippatti.
Once
these people lived in Surakkudi about 300 years before and moved to Melur.
This was disclosed by Sri Ayyanar himself came on priests (அருள் வாக்கு) at
the time of performing the Kumbhabhishekam. Madurai Melur people also
contributed for development of this temple.
Religious
Practices
The
priests are non – Brahmins (Velalars - Kuyavars – mud pot manufacturers). Goats
and Cocks are offered to Ayyanar. Now the temple is under the control of a Trust
headed by Sri Dr. AC Muthiah, a leading industrialist of South India.
Connectivity
This
Temple is located at a distance of 1 Km from Kanadukathan. Nearest Railway
Station is located at Karaikudi and Madurai. Nearest Airport is located at
Madurai.
References
