Kuttralanathar Temple, Courtrallam – History
This
temple has more than 2000 years old history. It is believed that the temple was
constructed even before 5th century B.C. Since Sangam literature describes the
'Pothigai' hills, Kutralam town could have been one among the towns of Sangam
period. The Ay dynasty ruled parts of southern India from the early Sangam age
to the 10th century AD. Among the Ay rulers of the Sangam Age, Ay
Antiran is the most outstanding chieftain of this Velir clan. The Velirs
were regarded as the 3rd chain of Philanthropists. Ay Antiran's name is
mentioned in the Purananuru as the lord of Podiyil Malai in southern
Western Ghats.
Kochenganan,
the Chola monarch of early Sangam era, built number of temples in Tamilakam. He
also set forth the specific tree as the 'holy tree' (Sthala Vriksham) for that
specific shrine. Thus Kutralanathaswami shrine was associated with Jack fruit
tree aka Artocarpus heterophyllus. From the foregoing evidences lead the
scholars to believe that Kutralanathaswami worship could have existed since
from Sangam period. Poet Kapiladeva Nayanar believed to have lived during 10th
century A.D. describes Kutralam town in poetical work 'Sivaperuman
Tiruvandadhi'.
Kutralam
is one among the five dance floors of Lord Nataraja (Shiva). It is known as
Chitra Sabha. Among 14 Shiva shrines of Pandya country, Kutralam is believed to
the most ancient. Parasakthi Peetam, one among the 64 Sakthi Peetams, forms
part of Kutralanathaswami temple. The peetam is also known as Yoga peetam,
Dharani peetam and Arutparasakthi peetam.