Kundaiyur chokkanathaswamy Temple, Nagapattinam

Address

Kundaiyur chokkanathaswamy Temple, Kundaiyur, Thirukkuvalai via, Nagapattinam District – 610204. Phone: +91 4366 245 476

Diety

Sundareswarar/Rishabhapureeswarar/ chokkanathaswamy Amman: Meenakshi/ Mangalambigai

Introduction

Rishabhapureeswarar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Kundaiyur Village in Keelaiyur Taluk in Nagapattinam District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Sundareswarar/Rishabhapureeswarar/ Chokkanathaswamy and Mother is called as Mangalambigai/ Meenakshi. The temple is more than 1000 years old shiva temple. 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.

Puranic Significance

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 Sundareswarar/Rishabhapureeswarar/ Sokkanathaswamy 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.

Special Features

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.