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