This is the seventh shiva temple of the ashtaviratta sthalams. This temple is associated with the destruction of Manmada (Kamdev). The temple is located about 12 kilometers from Mailaduthurai - Manalmedu route. This is one of the 276 Padal Pethra Sthalams revered by Nayanmars. Thirunavukkarasar has sung a hymn on Lord Shiva of this temple. The temple covers an area of 2.5 acres on the northern bank of river kaveri.
Mulavar: Sri Veeratteswarar, Sri Yogeshwarar
Devi: Sri Dnyanambika
Kshetra vruksha: Haritagi (Hara tree in Marathi)
Puranik name: Kamadahan Puram, Kampakkapuram, Yogeshwar Puram, Thirukurakkai
Present name: Kurakkai
District: Nagapattinam, Tamilnadu
The shiva linga is a swayambhu linga and is about 1500 years old. The temple is west facing. Has 2 parikramas and 5 tiered rajagopuram. The stone inscriptions indicate the work done by Chola and Vijayanagar kings. The sanctum sanctorum is in the form of a semi circular tank (agazhi in Tamil). The front mandap looks like the forehead of a bat (Vavval in Tamil is bat, nethi is forehead). Hence the mandap is known as Vavval-Nethi-Mandapam.
About the idols and other shrines.
On the base of shiva linga, there is a lotus flower fixed in it.
Idols of Ratidevi (wife of Manmada) and Manmada are the utsav murtis in the temple. Lord Ganesha in this temple is addressed as Kurungai (short hand) Vinayaka. Lord Shiva is addressed as Kamadahan murti. He has his right leg hanging down, left leg folded on the lap, right hand in abhaya mudra and the left hand on the left leg. Lord Shiva in this temple is a anugraha murti. There is a separate shrine for kamadahan murti. Goddess Parvati has a separate shrine. Shrine of Lord Ganesha has a gajaprushtha gopuram (Vimanan). Lord Vishnu is known as Sri Soha (Grief) Hareshwarar. It is believed that Lord Vishnu was overcome by grief as his son Manmada was killed by Lord Shiva. Lord Vishnu has a separate shrine in the temple. There are shrines of Lord Muruga with Valli and Deivanai, Mahalakshmi, Surya, Chandra and Bhairavar.
Koshta murtis are Mahaganapati, Lord Dakshinamurti, Lingodbhava, Lord Brahma, Goddess Durga and Chandikeshwar are present in the kosht.
There is an idol of Nalvar in the corridor Behind sanctum sanctorum there is a shrine for Lord Annamalai. There are idols of Lord Bhairav and Lord Vishnu on either side of Annamalai in worshiping posture. From the main temple at a distance of about half kilometer there is a place called Vibhoothikuttai. It is believed that Kamadev was burned to ashes at this place. Lord Shiva as Nataraja performed a tandav at this temple known as Veeratandav. Therefore the place (sabha) is known as Kamanashan sabha and Shambhuvinotha sabha.
Those who worshiped at this place: Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Muruga and Ratidevi.
Kshetra purana:
According to Puran, this place is associated with the death and rebirth of Kamadev. According to Puran, two demons Surapadman and Dharakan were tormenting the people, celestial gods, angels, and sages. They had a boon that they will be killed only by a son born to Lord Shiva. The devas tried to seek the help of Lord Shiva who was in deep meditation. They feared that Lord Shiva will become angry and they will not be able to face his wrath if they disturbed him. Finally they were able to convince Kamadev (Manmada) in helping them so that they can disturb the meditation of Lord Shiva, so that a son will be born to Lord Shiva. Manmada sent five arrows attached with flowers at Lord Shiva. Finally Lord Shiva was disturbed and he came out of meditation. He became furious on Manmada for disturbing him. He opened his third eye and burnt Manmada to ashes.
Later on Ratidevi (wife of Manmada) pleaded with Lord Shiva and Parvati to bring back her husband to life. Finally Lord Shiva restored Manmada to life again but he cannot be seen by anyone except his wife. The marks left by the five flowers (lotus) can be seen on the shiva linga even now. Hence Lord Shiva is known as Sri Kamaanganashan and Kamadahanmurti. There are various places around this temple which are associated with this incident.
The place where Manmada decided to disturb Lord Shiva is known as Kanganaputhur.
The place where he drank milk is known as Palakudi
The place where he took the bow on hand is known as Villinur
The place where he stringed the arrow is known as Kavalamedu.
The place where all of them assembled to take the bow on hand is known as Javanallur
The place where he finally decided to release the arrow is knowns as Mettukurukkai
It is believed that Lord Shiva meditated under a Haritagi (Harada tree) (it is known as Kadukkai tree in Tamil). Hence Lord Shiva is known as Yogeshwarar. It is believed that tears of joy fell from the eyes of Lord Shiva when he was meditating and mixed in the river Pazhavaru. And now this is known as Dnyanateertha.
Puran about Kurukkai Vinayaka:
Kai in Tamil means hand. Kuruki in Tamil means shrink or shorten. A sage called Teerthavahu used to worship at various Shiva temples by invoking the river Ganges (Ganga). When he reached this place, he could not get Ganga as the Shoolateertha at this place was considered to be more auspicious than river Ganga. When he tried to get water from Ganges, his hands shrank. He worshiped Lord Shiva and Lord Ganesha with the grace of Lord Ganesha he got his hands to original shape. Hence the place got the name Kurukkai. And Lord Ganesha was known as Kurukkai Vinayaka as he has very short arms. Near the idol of Vinayaka we come across the idol of Sage Teerthavahu.
Festivals and worships:
Margazhi (Dec-Jan): Ardhra festival for 3 days is held.
Masi (Feb-March) 10 days of Kamadahan festival, Magha nakshatra festival, Mahashivaratri festival, Pancha murti procession.
Purattasi (Sept Oct) Navaratri
Karthigai (Oct-Nov): On Somwar, special worship is done at night and yantra pooja of yantra in sanctum sanctorum.
Aadi (July-August): Pooram festival
Panguni (Mar-April): Uthiram festival, Mahashivaratri, New Moon Pradosha pooja
Special worship is held on the Pongal, Tamil New year and English New year.
People perform putrakameshthi yadnya for child boon
This is a parihar sthala for vargadosha.
Courtesy: https://veludharan.blogspot.com/
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