Tamilnadu Tourism: Shanmughanathar Temple, Kunnakudi, Karaikudi, Sivaganga

Shanmughanathar Temple, Kunnakudi, Karaikudi, Sivaganga

Kunnakudi Shanmughanathar temple (also called Kunnakudi Temple or Kunnakudi Murugan Temple) in Kundrakudi, a village in the outskirts of Karaikudi in Sivaganga district in the South Indian state of Tamilnadu, is dedicated to the Hindu god Murugan. Constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture, the temple is located in the Tiruppattur - Karaikudi Road, around 14 km from Karaikudi.

There are three caves located on the western side of the lower rock, that have rock-cut shrines from the Pandyan Empire from the 8th century. The caves have the earliest sculptural representation of Dvarapalas, the guardian deities, for any South Indian temple. Sri Thenattru Nathar graces as swayambumurthy. Lord Shanmuganathan is the presiding deity here. Lord Shanmuganathan is also called ‘Muruga’, ‘Shanmuga’’ and ‘Skandha’.

It is a cave temple. Marudhu Pandiyars Kings of Sivaganga renovated the Temple. On the western side of the hill are three excavated cave shrines at the ground level. These are in a line and are adjacent to one another. Later structures have been added to these shrines in the front. All these cave shrines are dedicated to Shiva. The first two shrines are embellished with very fine sculptural details, with beautifully carved 'Dvarapalas', but the third one is very plain.

There are a number of old inscriptions in this region which are found to be useful to the research minded historians. Here Lord Shanmuganathan is mounted on his peacock flanked by Valli and Deivayanai. Prayers in this temple bring relief from diseases and mental worries. The Devotees are blessed with good Children. Devotees bring their child after a year of birth and give its hair as offering to Shanmuganathan.

It is interesting to note that the appearance of the Kunnakudi hill resembles that of a peacock at certain angles. The history of the temple dates back to more than 1200 years. It could have been constructed and maintained by the Pandya kings. It is said that Pandavas, sage Agasthya have worshipped in this temple.

The temple has a five-tiered gateway tower, the gopuram in the hill, leading to a pillared hall and the sanctum. The temple is maintained and administered by the Kunnakudi Thiruvannamalai Mutt Adikam, while the rock-cut caves are maintained as a protected monument by the Archaeological Survey of India.

Legends