Kodunkundranathar Temple, Piranmalai, Sivaganga – The
Temple
This
vast temple covering an area of about 30 acres (120,000 m2), with
three prakarams (outer courtyard) has 5 beautiful vimanams & an
attractive Rajagopuram. There is a Mandapam called as Devasaba Mandapam. There
are 3 shrines in this temple representing the states of Bhumi
(Earth), Antariksham (Space/Sky) and Swargam (heaven).
The presiding deity Lord Shiva is called as Kodunkundranathar, Ugragireeswarar
and the Ambal his consort mother Parvati is called as Kuyilamritanayaki.
There
are separate sanctums for Nallamangaipaagaswamy (kalyana kolam) and Viswanathar
here. The sthala Vriksham is Urangapuli and the Theertham is Madhu Pushkarini,
there are also 57 Theerthams in this temple. The Raja Gopuram was built at a
latter state. Statue of Pari King who donated his chariot to Mullai in
this place is in the middle of the hill and during his period the place was
called as “Pareesuram”. This temple is also under the control of
Kundrakudi Ponnambal Adigalar.
The
outer prakaram of the base temple is similar to Rameswaram temple with long
corridor. The Navagrahas are in sitting posture. There is a separate
Sannathi without dog for Bairavar in the middle stage. Arthajama Pooja is
special in this temple. The upper stage Kailayam temple Karuvarai was
built without separate pillars, known as Kudavarai type. There is no
Dwajasthambam and Nandhi in front of Moolavar Sannathi.
The
Sthalaviruksha is Uranga Puli, which leaves do not sleep during night and also
there is tree for which the name is not known yet This Temple is praised in the
hymns of Saint Tirugnanasambandar, who refers to the hill as Embiranmalai. It
also finds mention in more than 65 texts of the Sangam period and other ancient
literature. Photography is strictly prohibited here as this is the only temple
where Shiva is not worshipped as a lingam. His marriage with Parvati is
depicted in a natural stone carving inside the hill temple which resembles a
cave.
Inscriptions
on the north and behind the garbha griha state that the temple was built by
King Paari and talks about a city called Pareesuram. The sun rays apparently
fall on the lord without a break from Aipasi to Panguni (October to April). Lord
Shiva blesses the devotees in the name of Kodungundra Nathar from the Padala
Loka temple, in the middle as Viswanatha with Mother Visalakshi and at the top
as Mangai Paagar. The upper temple is of a cave type-Kudavarai
Koil. Lord appears in his wedding form with Ambica as he granted darshan
to sage Agasthya. This is called ‘Love Form-Anyonya Kolam’.
The
sculptures depicting the countless Devas gathered at Mount Kailash to attend
the divine wedding are on the upper wall of the Mandap in the front of the
temple. The idol of Mangai Paagar is made of the essence of nine herbals. Cosmetic
substances including oil are applied on the Lord. There is also a small
Linga in this shrine, ‘Udayavar Lingam’ gifted by King Kasirajan. All abisheks
are performed on this Linga only. As the region belongs to the Kurinji
category of land with hills, the produces of the land as Thinai flour, honey
and raw rice are used for making Dosas (a popular dish of Tamilnadu) for
nivedhana.
There is
no Nandhi in this shrine. When Lord granted his wedding darshan to sage
Agasthya, Nandi was playing the Maddalam the leather instrument. Hence, he
could not be present on the occasion. The absence of Nandi is attributed
to this event. Also there is no flag post and Bali Peeta in this shrine. During
the consecration of temple, a gum made of eight herbals -Ashta Bandanam is used
to re-install the deities. Such a procedure is not followed in this temple
as Lord Shiva is Supreme without a beginning or an end.
Lord
Shiva appears here in “Love’ mood. A vastra once used is not used
again. It is new every day. During the pujas Lord is dressed with a
long dhoti of 8 yards and an upper cloth, so Mother Ambica too with a 9 yards
sari. Shiva is also praised as Veda Shivan as he is holding the four Vedas in
his hands. It is noteworthy that during the last three months of Dakshinayana
half year and during the first three months of the Utharayanam half year
comprising of English months of October-November to March-April, the rays of
Sun fall on the Lord continuously. This is a rare feature in this temple
only.
It is
said that Lord Muruga granted his dancing darshan. But he appears old in
the temple. Against the traditional Peacock vahana in the shrine, Elephant
occupies the position. There is a window wall with 18 holes opposite
Muruga shrine. The elephant can be seen only through these holes. Theerthavari
is celebrated in the nearby river Palaru. Lord Muruga installed two Shivalingas
for worship and got relieved from the dosha of killing demon Surapadma.
These two Lingas are in the Kodunkundranathar Shrine prakara called
Chockalingam and Ramalingam.
Lord
Muruga is in between the two Lingas as if his father is protecting him from
both sides. Devotees carry milk pots to Lord Bhairava during the Chithirai
festival in April-May as is generally followed in Lord Muruga worship, because
it is said that Lord Bhairava too came from Lord Shiva. Those suffering from
amnesia, shy and fearful in nature pray to Lord Bhairava offering Samba rice
and Vadamalai garland made of Vadas (a popular Tamil dish). Lord Bhairava
has his own Theertha-sacred spring too. Those suffering from skin problems
bathe in this theertham and pray to Lord Shiva for cure.
After
praying Lord Shiva in Vedaranyam, Saint Tirugnana Sambandar came to this place
to worship Lord, who appeared before the saint in the form of a hill. In
his Pathigam (10 verses), Sambandar called this place, “Embiran Malai” which
later changed as Piran Malai. Of the seven chieftains noted for their
charitable traits, Pari was ruling this region. He had contributed liberally
for the renovation of this temple. During the Chithirai Brahmotsavam
festival, one day is dedicated to this king as Pari Festival remembering the
event of the King offering his car-rath to the jasmine plant to spread on
it.
Pari
comes in procession that day, leaving the car for the jasmine plant and returns
to the temple. Next day his helping the people with a measure of rice
festival takes place. The sacred tree Urangapuli (tamarind tree) has strange
characteristics. It blossoms. Yields the tamarind but it will not ripe. It
falls unripe. The leaves do not fold. There is another tree in the
Mangai Bagar shrine on a rock bearing no name. No flower blossoms in the
tree.
Base (Pathalam):
·
Iraivan: Sri
Kodunkundranathar
·
Iraivi: Sri Kuyilamudha
Nayagi, Sri Amritheshwari.
Middle (Boologam):
·
Iraivan: Sri Viswanathan
·
Iraivi: Sri Visalakshi
Top (Kailayam):
·
Iraivan: Sri Mangai Bagar, Sri Umamahesvarar
·
Iraivi: Sri Thenambigai,
Sri Thenambal