Koorathankudi Emasamhareswarar Temple, Nagapattinam

Address

Sannathi Street, Koorathankudi,

Kilvelur Circle,

Nagapattinam District,

Tamil Nadu 610106.

Moolavar

Emasamhareswarar

Amman

Kumkumavalli

Introduction

Emasamhareswarar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, located in a small town called Koorathankudi near Kilvelur Circle in Naga District. Here the Presiding deity is called as Emasamhareswarar, and Mother is called as Kumkumavalli. The Temple is believed to be built by the Pandavas during their exile. The Temple is believed to be 1300 years old. Nagai – Thiruvarur road is located 8 km south of Kilvelur and 2 km west of Killukudi.

Puranic Significance

The great sage Mrikandu rishi and his wife Marudmati worshipped Shiva and sought from him the boon of begetting a son. As a result, he was given the choice of either a righteous son, but with a short life on earth or a child of low intelligence but with a long life. Mrikandu rishi chose the former, and was blessed with Markandeya, an exemplary son, destined to die at the age of 16.

Markandeya grew up to be a great devotee of Shiva and on the day of his destined death he continued his worship of Shiva in his anionic form of Shivalingam. The messengers of Yama, the god of death were unable to take away his life because of his great devotion and continual worship of Shiva. Yama then came in person to take away Markandeya’s life, and sprung his noose around the young sage’s neck. By accident or fate the noose mistakenly landed around the Shivalingam, and out of it, Shiva emerged in all his fury attacking Yama for his act of aggression. After defeating Yama in battle to the point of death, Shiva then revived him, under the condition that the devout youth would live forever. For this act, Shiva was thereafter also known as Kalantaka (“Ender of Death”). Shiva came to Sthalam and blessed the devotees who worshiped him with the moksha to get rid of the fear of death.

Beliefs

It is believed that those who worship at this temple will be cured of all diseases and blessed with peace & prosperity.

Special Features

Kungumavalli faces the south- side in a separate shrine. If you worship mother on Fridays, the marriage ban will be lifted and Mangalya will be blessed. Arumarundu Ganesha is in a separate Sanctum. It is believed that if you worship him, your ailments will go away soon. It is said that if you worship the majestic Kala Bhairav here, you will get Kasi kala Bhairav benefits. There are other sanctum sanctorum of Dakshinamoorthy, Navagraha Vishnu and Chandikeswarar.