KUNRAKUDI - KUMARAN TEMPLE

This peacock shaped hill temple houses many adorable gods both on the top of the hill and at the foot of a charming little hill provided with flight of stairs. The temple at the foot of the hill is enshrining five big sized and neatly sculptured lingas sparkling with superb finish and polish. The Moolavar is called Thenthrunathar. There are two separate sannidhis for Mother Alagammai and sage Agasthya. After worshipping those august deities, when devotees start ascending, they see three beautiful nuni-shrines installed with grand statues of Thogaiyadi Vinayakar, Vallabha Vinayakar and Idumban. There is a mandap for Ve erabahu, who is adored after prayers to the other three. The garbha griha of the main shrine atop the hill is consecrated with the images of Kumaran with his spouses Valli and Devasena. And are superbly sculptured, wringing veneration by their size and shape. There are many mini-mandirs for the most of the adorable, like Manikyavachakar, Tirugnana Sambandar among Nayanmars, Chandra, Navagrahas and Chandikesavar among celestials.

The temple's Pushkarini called Pandava thirtha is deemed very, holy and devotees taking bath in it proceed to worship Lord Muruga. This benevolent Muruga was adored by the highest divinities, like Brahma, Vishnu, Narada, Surya, Indra, Vasishta, Viswamitra and Pancha Pandavas and they were fulfilled with their desires. Offering of Kavadi with due prayers is a routine work, and so one can observe devotees visiting with Kavadis singing all the way from their places. This compassionate Lord is the Kuladaivam of the Marudu brothers, the rulers of Siivagangai, who fought against the British bravely. They were protected and guided by this Kumaran during crises. Inscriptions found here on the walls narrate the endowments made by rulers and devotees.

It is 12 km off Karaikudi, the flourishing commercial centre carrying on roaring business in imported goods of all varieties. And accessible by train and bus.

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