Kodungundram Sri Kodungundra Nathar Temple, Sivaganga

Address

Kodungundram Sri Kodungundra Nathar Temple, Piranmalai-630 502. Sivaganga district. Phone: +91-4577

Diety

Kodugundranathar, Amman: Thenambigai

Introduction

Kodunkundranathar Temple is dedicated to Hindu God Shiva located at Piranmalai in Sivaganga District. This Shivastalam, located near Tiruppattur, is a vast hill temple reached by a flight of steps in the Pandya Kingdom. This shrine is regarded as the 5th of the Tevara Stalams in the Pandya region of Tamilnadu. This hill in the form of a Shivalingam is also called Prachandragiri and Katoragiri. This vast temple covering an area of about 30 acres, with three prakarams has 5 beautiful vimanams and an attractive Rajagopuram. The Marudu brothers (of Sivaganga) associated with Kalaiyar Koyil have made several contributions to this temple as in Kalaiyar Koyil. There are 3 shrines in this temple representing the states of Bhumi, Antariksham and Swargam. Bhrama, Saraswathi, Subramanya and Nandi are believed to have worshipped Shiva here. There are separate sanctums for Nallamangaipaaga Swamy (kalyana kolam) Viswanathar and Kodungundra Naathar here. There are 57 Theerthams in this temple.Lord Siva called as Kodunkundranathar and Thayar Kuyilamudha Nayaki bless the devotees mainly the unmarried guys will soon get married. Vallal Pari ruled this places and he gave his chariot to Mullaikodi which you can still see status in this temple. This is built on three levels – each representing earth (boologam or pathalam), space (antaram) and heaven (Swargam). There are different shrines of Siva in each of these levels.

Puranic Significance

Fight between Vayu & Adishesha: According to Legend, Piranmalai is said to be a block of Mount Meru. A contest arose between Vayu the Lord of winds and the divine serpent Adisesha about their prowess. The race was that Vayu should break the Meru Mountain bound by Adisesha. Despite his best efforts Vayu could not succeed in moving the mount but some pieces fell on earth. One such piece fell here. It is on this hill, this temple is built in three tiers consisting of Padala Loka, earth and the hill. Lord Shiva graces from this temple. Since this hill is in the form of a Sivalingam, it is also called Prachandragiri and Katoragiri. Agasthya witnessing Divine Marriage from South: As per popular Hindu Mythology, North went down due to the heavy weight caused by the huge crowd of Sages and Devas gathered there to attend the Shiva-Parvathi wedding. Lord Shiva sent powerful dwarf sage Agasthya to go south to equalize the ground level. Agasthya came to Pothigai hills in south. But Agasthya had to sacrifice the pleasure of joining the divine wedding party. Agasthya begged Lord that he should be able to get his darshan at all places of his choice during his pilgrimage. The boon granted, the sage enjoyed the Wedding function in many places including this place-Piranmalai. Lord Shiva in this hill temple is known as Mangaibaagar (also called Mangai Nayagar) and Goddess Parvati is known as Thenammal. In this hill, there is a natural stone carving that depicts the marriage of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. It shows Lord Mangaibaagar is holding hands with Goddess Thenammal. The temple is under the administration of Kundrakudi Devasthanam. People worshipped Shiva here: Bhrama, Saraswati, Agasthya, Subramanya and Nandi are believed to have worshipped Shiva here.

Beliefs

Couples with difference of opinions pray here for a consensus. Those facing adverse aspects of planet Shukra (Venus) pray to Mother Ambica for relief. Devotees offer white Vastras to Ambica with special pujas.

Special Features

This vast temple covering an area of about 30 acres (120,000 m2), with three prakarams (outer courtyard) has 5 beautiful vimanams & an attractive Rajagopuram. There is a Mandapam called as Devasaba Mandapam. There are 3 shrines in this temple representing the states of Bhumi (Earth), Antariksham (Space/Sky) and Swargam (heaven). The presiding deity Lord Shiva is called as Kodunkundranathar, Ugragireeswarar and the Ambal his consort mother Parvati is called as Kuyilamritanayaki. There are separate sanctums for Nallamangaipaagaswamy (kalyana kolam) and Viswanathar here. The sthala Vriksham is Urangapuli and the Theertham is Madhu Pushkarini, there are also 57 Theerthams in this temple. The Raja Gopuram was built at a latter state. Statue of Pari King who donated his chariot to Mullai in this place is in the middle of the hill and during his period the place was called as “Pareesuram”. This temple is also under the control of Kundrakudi Ponnambal Adigalar. The outer prakaram of the base temple is similar to Rameswaram temple with long corridor. The Navagrahas are in sitting posture. There is a separate Sannathi without dog for Bairavar in the middle stage. Arthajama Pooja is special in this temple. The upper stage Kailayam temple Karuvarai was built without separate pillars, known as Kudavarai type. There is no Dwajasthambam and Nandhi in front of Moolavar Sannathi. The Sthalaviruksha is Uranga Puli, which leaves do not sleep during night and also there is tree for which the name is not known yet This Temple is praised in the hymns of Saint Tirugnanasambandar, who refers to the hill as Embiranmalai. It also finds mention in more than 65 texts of the Sangam period and other ancient literature. Photography is strictly prohibited here as this is the only temple where Shiva is not worshipped as a lingam. His marriage with Parvati is depicted in a natural stone carving inside the hill temple which resembles a cave. There is no Nandhi in this shrine. When Lord granted his wedding darshan to sage Agasthya, Nandi was playing the Maddalam the leather instrument. Hence, he could not be present on the occasion. The absence of Nandi is attributed to this event. Also there is no flag post and Bali Peeta in this shrine. During the consecration of temple, a gum made of eight herbals -Ashta Bandanam is used to re-install the deities. Such a procedure is not followed in this temple as Lord Shiva is Supreme without a beginning or an end. Lord Shiva appears here in “Love’ mood. A vastra once used is not used again. It is new every day. During the pujas Lord is dressed with a long dhoti of 8 yards and an upper cloth, so Mother Ambica too with a 9 yards sari. Shiva is also praised as Veda Shivan as he is holding the four Vedas in his hands. It is noteworthy that during the last three months of Dakshinayana half year and during the first three months of the Utharayanam half year comprising of English months of October-November to March-April, the rays of Sun fall on the Lord continuously. This is a rare feature in this temple only

Festivals

Six worship services are performed each day here. Lord Ugra Bhairavar Shrine here witnesses a special festival in the month of Thai. Chithirai Brahmotsavam in April-May; Vaikasi Visakam in May-June; Tirukarthikai in November-December and Maha Shivrathri in February-March, Arudra Dharisanam, Vinayaka Chathurthi and Navarathri are the festivals celebrated in the temple.