Sunday, August 11, 2019

Rishabhapureeswarar Temple, Kundaiyur, Nagapattinam

Rishabhapureeswarar Temple, Kundaiyur, Nagapattinam
Rishabhapureeswarar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Kundaiyur Village in Keelaiyur Taluk in Nagapattinam District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Rishabhapureeswarar and Mother is called as Mangalambigai. The Temple is considered as Thevara Vaippu Sthalam as Devaram hymns had a mention about this Temple. The Temple is located very close to Thirukuvalai Brahmapureeswarar Temple.

Legends
Kundaiyur Kizhar was local landlord in Kundaiyur Village during Sundarar period. He used to send rice and other household supplies to Sundarar out of his devotion to Sundarar. Once, the area was affected by severe drought, Kundaiyur Kizhar was worried about the supplies to Sundarar. He prayed to Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva appeared in his dreams and informed him not to worry. Also insisted that supplies required would be provided by him. Astonished Kundaiyur Kizhar woke up from the dreams and went out and saw rice mound touching up the sky in front of his house.
On seeing this miracle, Kundaiyur Kizhar invited Sundarar to visit his place to see this miracle. Even Sundarar got astonished and worried how he would transport all these supplies to his home. In order to solve this issue, he visited Thirukolilinathar Temple at Thirukuvalai and sang hymns to get Lord Shiva help. Lord Shiva instructed Bhooda Ganas to transport all the rice to Sundarar home in Thiruvarur. This incident is celebrated here during Magam Day in Masi Month.
The Temple
There is no Rajagopuram in this Temple. The Temple has entrances in the east and south. East entrance is considered as the main entrance as it faces sanctum. Balipeedam and Nandi Mandapam can be immediately seen after this entrance. Sanctum is located after the Nandi Mandapam. Sanctum is guarded by Dwarapalakas. Another Nandi can be seen at the sanctum facing the Lord. Sanctum is situated in elevated position and can be accessed by climbing four steps.

Presiding Deity is called as Rishabhapureeswarar, He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam and is facing east. Mother is called as Mangalambigai. She is housed in a separate south facing shrine. Her shrine is located in the Mandapam before Sanctum. Her shrine can be seen on the right side. There are shrines for Maha Ganapathy, Lord Murugan with his consorts Valli & Deivanai, Bhairavar and Suryan in the outer prakaram. There is also a shrine for Kundaiyur Kizhar in the Temple premises.

There are shrines for Meenakshi and Sundareswarar / Chockanathaswamy in the prakaram. Sundareswarar Shrine is located on the right side and Meenakshi Shrine on the left side immediately after the eastern entrance. Due to these shrines, some people call this Temple as Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple. The trees near these shrines cover them like umbrellas.
Temple Opening Time
The temple remains open from 08.00 AM in the mornings till 06.00 Pm in the evenings.
Literary Mention
The Temple is considered as Thevara Vaippu Sthalam as Devaram hymns sung by Sundarar had a mention about this Temple. The Temple is mentioned in 7th Thirumurai in 20th Patikam in 1st Song.
நீள நினைந்தடி யேனுமை
நித்தலுங் கைதொழுவேன்
வாளன கண்மட வாளவள்
வாடி வருந்தாமே
கோளிலி எம்பெரு மான்குண்டை
யூர்ச்சில நெல்லுப்பெற்றேன்
ஆளிலை எம்பெரு மானவை
அட்டித் தரப்பணியே
Contact
Rishabhapureeswarar Temple,
Kundaiyur, Thirukuvalai P.O.
Nagapattinam District – 610 204
Phone: +91 4366 245 476
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 700 meters from Thirukkuvalai Bus Stop, 750 meters from Thirukuvalai Brahmapureeswarar Temple, 4 Kms from Ettugudi, 5 Kms from Sattiyakudi, 8 Kms from Kachanam, 11 Kms from Ammanur Railway Station, 12 Kms from Tirunelikkaval Railway Station, 20 Kms from Thiruthuraipoondi, 23 Kms from Thiruvarur, 30 Kms from Nagapattinam and 130 Kms from Trichy Airport. The Temple is situated on Sattiyakudi to Ettugudi Route.
Location