Kodunkundranathar Temple, Piranmalai, Sivaganga
Kodunkundranathar
Temple is dedicated to Hindu God Shiva located at Piranmalai in Sivaganga
District. This Shivastalam, located near Tiruppattur, is a vast hill temple reached by a flight of steps in
the Pandya Kingdom. This shrine is regarded as the 5th of the Tevara
Stalams in the Pandya region of Tamilnadu. This hill in the form of a
Shivalingam is also called Prachandragiri and Katoragiri. This vast temple
covering an area of about 30 acres, with three prakarams has 5 beautiful
vimanams and an attractive Rajagopuram.
The
Marudu brothers (of Sivaganga) associated with Kalaiyar
Koyil have made several
contributions to this temple as in Kalaiyar Koyil. There are 3 shrines in this
temple representing the states of Bhumi, Antariksham and Swargam. Bhrama,
Saraswathi, Subramanya and Nandi are believed to have worshipped Shiva here.
There are separate sanctums for Nallamangaipaaga Swamy (kalyana kolam)
Viswanathar and Kodungundra Naathar here. There are 57 Theerthams in this
temple.
Lord
Siva called as Kodunkundranathar and Thayar Kuyilamudha Nayaki bless the
devotees mainly the unmarried guys will soon get married. Vallal
Pari ruled this places and he gave his chariot to Mullaikodi which you can
still see status in this temple. This is built on three levels – each
representing earth (boologam or pathalam), space (antaram) and heaven
(Swargam). There are different shrines of Siva in each of these levels.
At the
ground level is the shrine of Thiru Kodunkundranathar, where Siva is in lingam
form, and also houses shrines for Parvati and Murugan. The middle level is of
Bhairavar. The top level temple shows Siva as Mangaibaagar,
along with Parvati in Kalyana kolam (together as a couple). Piranmalai
at 2,500 feet is a unique fortified hill with a temple at 500 feet and a dargah
atop its peak. At the bottom there are traces of a moat and a fort wall,
apparently pulled down in the early 19th Century.
Patches
of paddy fields, coconut and banana groves, wild shrubs and prickly overgrown
grass encircle the base of this last crop of the Eastern Ghats. This is the 249th
Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 5th Shiva Sthalam of Pandya Naadu. Naalvar
has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple. It is a battleground
where many fierce wars were waged. Locals climb up regularly to pay obeisance
at the dargah of Waliyullah Sheikh Abdullah Saheb.
Legends
For
brief details, please refer below link;
History
For
brief details, please refer below link;
The
Temple
For
brief details, please refer below link;
Temple
Opening Time
The
temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Festivals
Six
worship services are performed each day here. Lord Ugra Bhairavar Shrine here
witnesses a special festival in the month of Thai. Chithirai Brahmotsavam in
April-May; Vaikasi Visakam in May-June; Tirukarthikai in November-December and
Maha Shivrathri in February-March, Arudra Dharisanam, Vinayaka Chathurthi and
Navarathri are the festivals celebrated in the temple.
Singers
The
temple is praised in the hymns of Saints Tirugnana Sambandar and
Arunagiriar. Sambandar composed the Thevara Pathigam here. This is the 5th temple in the Pandya region
praised in Thevaram hymns.
Prayers
Couples
with difference of opinions pray here for a consensus. Those facing
adverse aspects of planet Shukra (Venus) pray to Mother Ambica for relief.
Devotees offer white Vastras to Ambica with special pujas.
Contact
Sri
Kodungundra Nathar Temple,
Piranmalai
- 630 502, Sivaganga District
Phone: +91-4577 - 246
170
Mobile: +91-94431 91300.
Connectivity
Piranmalai
is 65 km from Madurai on the Ponnamaravathi road. The temple is near the bus
stop. The bus service to Ponnamaravathi from Madurai Anna bus stand goes via this village Piranmalai. It
is 24 km, north-west of Tirupathur, 58 km from Sivaganga and 194 km from
Rameswaram. Buses are available from Madurai Mattuthavani bus stop and
Tirupathur bus stop. Nearest Railway Station and Airport are located at Madurai.
