Vaikundamurthi Temple, Kottayur, Sundarapandiyam,
Srivilliputhur, Virudhunagar
Vaikundamurthi
Temple is dedicated to Village Deity Ayyanar in Kottayur Village of
Sundarapandiyam near Srivilliputhur in Virudhunagar District of Tamilnadu.
History
About
300 years back, this area was ruled by a king called Mara Varman Pandiyan. An
old man and woman were walking in the forest near the village one day. Suddenly
in front of them an ant hill grew up. They tried to find out what is inside the
ant hill. The knife with old man touched a stone and it started to bleed. They
went back to the village and brought other people. Inside the ant hill was the
statue of Vaikunda Murthi with his wives. The king came to the village to see
the God. When he was there, the God entered one villager and he requested the
king to build a temple for him.
The king
and the people built a temple there. During this time, there was a temple of
Periya Karuppasamy near the mountains. There was an earth quake on the mountain
and the idol of Periya Karuppasamy was pushed before the temple of Vaikunda
murthi. Vaikunda Murthi permitted him to have temple near him. From that time
onwards Periya Karuppasamy helps Vaikunda Murthi in all his affairs. In the
village of Manapparai, it seems there was a God called Mamundi Karuppar, who
used to visit Sundara Pandiyam very often. During one of his visits, Vaikunda
Murthi summoned him through Periya Karuppasamy.
Vaikunda
Murthi wanted Mamundi Karuppu also to stay with him. But it seems Mamundi
Karuppu agreed provided his orders were obeyed by Periya Karuppusamy. This was
agreed to. During the early times it seems a Kerala King who was a magician
tied up all rains and water to this kingdom. Mamundi Karuppu went there and
caused serious stomach ache to the Kerala queen. No doctors were able to cure
it. Mamundi Karuppu approached the king for curing the disease. When he did, he
asked the Kerala king to untie the rain and water to Sundara Pandiyam. There
was heavy rain in Sundara Pandiyam and all their problems were solved.
The
Temple
Sri
Vaikundamurthi graces as Sastha while going for Parivettai on the outer temple
and as Aiyanar within the temple with his consorts Poorana and Pushkala in dual
forms. Just outside the temple there is a statue of a 15 foot high horse on
which Vaikunda Murthi is seen to be riding.
Temple
Opening Time
The
temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. continuously.
Festivals
Chithirai
Thiruvizha in April-May, Parivettai, Maha Shivrathri and Masi Amavasya, new
moon day in February-March are the festivals celebrated in the temple.
Connectivity
Sundarapandiyam
is 1 km on the Kottayur main road in Srivilliputhur Taluk of Virudhunagar District. Nearest
Railway Station is located at Srivilliputhur and Nearest Airport is located at
Madurai.