(Thalaignayiru) Karuppariyalur Sri Kutram Poruttha Naathar Temple, Nagapattinam

Address

(Thalaignayiru) Karuppariyalur Sri Kutram Poruttha Naathar Temple, Thiru Karuppariyalur Ilanthoppu Via, Mayiladuthurai Taluk, Nagapatinam District, Tamil Nadu – 609201. Tele: +91- 4364 – 258 833.

Deity

Sri Kutram Porutha Nathar, Sri Aparadha Kshameswarar Amman: Sri Kolvalai Nayagi, Vichitra Balambi

Introduction

Karuppariyalur Kutram Poruttha Naathar temple is a Hindu temple located at Thalaignayiru (or Thalainayar) in Nagapattinam district of Tamil Nadu, India. The historical name of is Karuppariyalur or Karmanaasapuram. The presiding deity is Shiva. He is called as Kutram Poruttha Naathar(Aparaathakshameswarar). His consort is Kolvalai Naayaki . It is one of the shrines of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams – Shiva Sthalams glorified in the early medieval Tevaram poems by Tamil Saivite Nayanars Tirugnanasambandar and Sundarar. Theertham (Holy water): Indhra Theertham, Surya Theertham Sthala Vriksham (Sacred Tree): Kokudi Mullai (Jasmine)

Puranic Significance

1. Indra’s Mistake and Lord Shiva’s Forgiveness

• Once, Indra, the king of Devas, visited Mount Kailash.
• Lord Shiva took the form of a Bhoothaganam (one of his celestial attendants).
• Unaware that it was Lord Shiva, Indra attacked him with his Vajrayutham (thunderbolt weapon).
• Realizing his mistake, Indra came to this temple to seek forgiveness.
• Lord Shiva forgave Indra, and hence, the deity is known as Sri Aparadha Kshameswarar (Kutram Porutha Nathar in Tamil, meaning “Lord who forgives mistakes”).
• Because of this divine forgiveness, this place is called Karma Naasa Puram (meaning “the place where sins are absolved”).

2. Lord Ram’s Worship of Shiva and Hanuman’s Pilgrimage

• After the battle with Ravana, Lord Ram, Sita, and others returned to Rameswaram.
• Ram wanted to worship Lord Shiva to cleanse himself of any sins from the war.
• He sent Hanuman to Ayodhya to fetch a Shiva Lingam for the puja.
• Hanuman got delayed, and in the meantime, Sage Agasthiyar advised Sita to prepare a Shiva Lingam with sand.
• Lord Ram performed the puja with the sand Lingam before Hanuman returned.
• When Hanuman finally arrived, he was upset and wanted to replace the sand Lingam with the one he brought.
• Hanuman tried to uproot the sand Lingam using his tail but failed.
• In the process, his tail got cut, and he lost his strength.
• Realizing his mistake (Shiva Aparadham), Hanuman sought atonement.
• Lord Ram advised Hanuman to go on a pilgrimage to various Shiva temples to seek relief.
• This temple is one of the places where Hanuman worshiped Lord Shiva and was finally relieved of his sin.

3. Indrajit (Meganathan) and the Power of Lord Shiva

• Meganathan, also known as Indrajit, was the son of Ravana.
• He defeated Lord Indra in battle, earning his title “Indrajit” (the conqueror of Indra).
• Once, he was flying across the sky in Pushpaka Vimanam (a divine chariot).
• Suddenly, his chariot stopped mid-air and wouldn’t move further.
• When he looked down, he realized that he was flying over this Shiva temple—which was why his chariot could not move forward.
• Indrajit came down, bathed in the sacred Theertham, and worshiped Lord Shiva.
• He attempted to move the powerful Shiva Lingam to Lanka but failed.
• In the process, he fainted and fell unconscious.
• Ravana learned about this incident and pleaded with Lord Shiva to forgive his son.
• Lord Shiva pardoned Indrajit and allowed him to continue his journey.
• Hence, the deity is also revered as “Kutram Porutha Nathar”, meaning “Lord who forgives mistakes.”

Beliefs

It is believed that Lord Brahma informed Sage Vashistar that any good deed committed at this temple will multiply ten-fold. In this temple Sage Vashishtar and 72 Maharishis were blessed with the gift of wisdom by Lord Shiva. For this reason, those seeking excellence in educational pursuits can worship the lord here. Lord Dakshinamurthy is considered to be the god of education and he is very popular with students. In his hymn, Saint Thirugnanasambanthar also mentioned that the learned lord resides in this temple. It is believed that those seeking “Santhana Prapthi” (child boon) can pray to the lord here after taking a dip in the Surya Theertham.

Special Features

1. Unique Hill Temple Structure (“Malaikkoil”)

• This temple has a two-story hill temple (Malaikkoil in Tamil), similar to the Sattainathar Temple in Sirkazhi.
• The ground floor houses the Moolavar (main deity).
• The first floor features Lord Uma Maheswarar (Thoniyappar).
• The second floor has Lord Sattainathar.
• Here, Thoniyappar and the goddess are praised as Sri Garppa Gnaneswarar and Sri Garppa Gnana Parameswari.
• Since the temple is located on the western side of Sirkazhi, this place is also known as Mela Kaazhi (Mela means west).

2. Spiritual Significance – “Karu Pariyalur”

• Worshiping the Lord here is believed to grant salvation and liberate devotees from the cycle of birth and rebirth.
• Hence, this place is called “Karu Pariyalur” (Karu means foetus, and Pariyal means to seize in Tamil).
• Saint Thirugnanasambanthar, in his hymns, mentions this “Karu Pariyal” (removal of rebirth) for those who worship Lord Shiva here.

3. Unique Architectural Features

• The front hall (Mandapam) of the temple is designed in the shape of a bat’s forehead and is called “Vovval Nethi Mandapam.”
• This architectural design adds to the beauty of the temple.

4. Sthala Viruksham – Sacred Temple Tree

• The Sthala Viruksham (sacred tree) of this temple is “Kokudi Mullai,” a variety of jasmine.
• Because of this, the temple is also called “Kokudikkoil.”
• Both Saint Thirugnanasambanthar and Saint Sundaramurthy have referred to this temple as “Kokudikkoil” in their hymns.

5. Theerthams – Sacred Waters of the Temple

There are eight sacred Theerthams associated with this temple:

1. Vinayaka Theertham (Pazhavaru River)
2. Surya Theertham
3. Vashista Theertham
4. Hanuman Theertham
5. Nimbapushkarani
6. Sankapushkarani
7. Potramarai
8. Senkazhunir Thadagam

Festivals

Vinayakar Chaturthi in the Tamil month of Aavani (Aug-Sept), Skanda Shashti and Annabishekam in the Tamil month of Aippasi (Oct–Nov), Thiru Karthikai in the Tamil month of Karthikai (Nov-Dec), Shivrathri in the Tamil month of Masi (Feb-Mar) and Panguni Uthiram in the Tamil month of Panguni (Mar-Apr). Pradosham is also observed regularly.

Century/Period/Age

1000-2000 years old

Managed By

Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HRCE)

Nearest Bus Station

Thalaignayiru

Nearest Railway Station

Mayiladuthurai

Nearest Airport

Trichy

Videos

lightuptemple