Thiruthangal Karunellinathar Temple, Virudhunagar

Address

Thiruthangal,

Virudhunagar District,

Tamil Nadu 626130

Moolavar

Karunellinathar

Amman

Chokki ambal

Introduction

Karunellinathar Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is located in Thiruthangal, a town on the outskirts of Sivakasi, Tamil Nadu, India. The temple, built on a 100-foot hillock, features a small gateway tower (gopuram) and houses many shrines, with Karunellinathar and his consort, Chokki Amman, being the most prominent deities. This rock-cut temple is believed to have been built by Gurukalathirayan, a minister during the Pandyan dynasty, in 1233 CE. The temple is famous for its rich history, including a connection to various legends and significant inscriptions. It is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu and offers four daily rituals and several annual festivals.

Puranic Significance

Karunellinathar Temple has significant connections to Puranic legends. It is believed to have been expanded during the reign of the Pandya kings, with one inscription dating back to 1032 CE that references Paramaswamy, who is believed to have chosen the hillock as his abode.

Legends associated with Thiruthangal:

Ranganatha’s Journey: It is said that Ranganatha, the reclining form of Lord Vishnu from Srirangam, was drawn by the devotion of Andal. He embarked on a journey to Srivilliputhur to seek her hand in marriage. On his way, he spent the night in Thiruthangal, and the area became known as Thiruthangal, with the hillock called Thalagiri.
Origin of Arjuna River: According to another legend, during the Pandavas’ exile in the Western Ghats, Arjuna was unable to find water for performing his daily pooja. He prayed to the river Ganga, and with his arrow, he split the earth to bring forth the Arjuna River, which is believed to have originated here.

The Name Karunellinathar: The temple’s name is believed to be derived from two Amla trees (known as “nelli” in Tamil) that once stood in the area. The place was initially called Irunellinathar, later evolving into Karunellinathar.

The Shrine of Lord Muruga: The shrine of Lord Muruga in the temple was built by a devotee named Arumuga Thambiran, who used to make an annual pilgrimage to Palani for darshan. On one trip, he could not cross a canal due to old age and stayed behind. While staying there, he discovered gold coins when digging the earth, which he used to construct the shrine. Lord Muruga of this temple is considered as powerful and graceful as Lord Muruga in Palani.

Beliefs

Devotees believe that prayers and offerings at Karunellinathar Temple fulfill various needs. Specific beliefs associated with the temple include:

Marriages are believed to be finalized for those praying on Tuesdays and Fridays.
Praying during Pradosha worship is believed to cure diseases.
Women participating in the full moon (Poornima) puja are believed to be blessed with the longevity of their husbands.
Praying to Lord Muruga on Karthika star days is believed to reduce the intensity of ill fates.
Devotees often offer hair (tonsuring) to Lord Muruga, as well as clothes (dhoti and sari) and perform special Abhishekams and aaradhanas.
Annadhanam (feeding the devotees) is a significant offering, and distributing nivedhana (food offerings) is also a cherished practice.

Special Features

Karunellinathar Temple is renowned for several historical and mythological features:

The temple is believed to have been built by the Pandya kings, with inscriptions providing details about donations made to the temple.
A lake called Vallabha Pereri existed near the temple.
The temple was expanded by Gurukalathirayan during the reign of Sundara Pandya.
The image of Ulli Bomman Kalangatha Kanda Nayakar, a warrior who attained martyrdom in a war at Thiruthangal, is found in the temple.
The origin of the Arjuna River is associated with a legendary story involving the Pandavas.
The shrine of Lord Muruga is said to have been constructed by Arumuga Thambiran, and devotees consider Lord Muruga of Thiruthangal to be as powerful as the one in Palani.

References

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2017/01/karunellinathar-temple-thiruthangal_28.html