Kodunkundranathar, Piranmalai, Sivaganga

Basic information about the temple

Moolavar:	Kodunkundranathar	Ambal / Thayar:	Kuyilamudha Nayaki, Amriteswari, Thaenambigai
Deity:	Siva	Historical name:	Tirukkodunkundram
Vriksham:	Urangaa PuLi, Pala Maram	Teertham:	Thaenaazhi Teertham
Agamam:		Age (years):
Timing:	to & to	Parikaram:
Temple group:	Paadal Petra Sthalam (Pandya Nadu)	–
Sung by:	Sambandar	Temple set:
Navagraham:		Nakshatram:
City / town:	Piranmalai	District:	Sivaganga
Maps from (click):	Current location	Karaikudi (52 km)	Pudukkottai (53 km)
	Madurai (63 km)	Dindigul (64 km)

Location

Piranmalai is located about 88km from Trichy, about 7 km off the NH45.

Sthala puranam and temple information

During the contest between Adiseshan and Vayu on their strength, one of the pieces of Mount Meru landed here and is considered to be this hill. After worshipping Lord Siva at Vedaranyam and other temples, Sambandar came here. Seeing the hill shaped like a Lingam, he called it Empiran-malai, which has now become Piranmalai.

There was once Siva devotee called Vanasuran. Due to certain circumstances, it turned out that Lord Siva had to fight on behalf of Vanasuran, against Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu issued a weapon in the form of a chill (fever), which was defeated by a fever that Lord Siva discharged, whose form had three heads, four hands, nine eyes and three legs (called Jwara Bhagna murti). This murti is said to exist in certain specified temples only, including at this temple, and worshipping this murti even once is said to be enough for curing the worst of diseases.

The temple has three levels, considered and referred to as pathalam, bhoolokam and Kailasam. At the basement/ground level is Kondunkundranathar, with Kuyilamuthanayaki as his consort. On the next level, the Lord is present as Viswanathar, with Visalakshi amman (this is also considered to represent the Bhairavar aspect of Lord Siva). Finally, at the top is Mangaibagar, in kalyana kolam with Parvati.

Agastyar missed the wedding of Lord Siva and Parvati, as he had been asked to come to the south to balance the earth. It is said that as recompense, he was granted a boon that he could see Lord Siva and Parvati in their wedding attire and kolam, whenever and wherever he wanted to. Piranmalai is one such place where this is the case.

Mangaibagar’s murti is said to be made of herbs and hence no abhishekam is carried out on it. Only punugu oil (civet) is offered on Fridays. The murtis of Lord Siva and Parvati at the Mangaibagar shrine are adorned with new clothes every day! Mangaibagar is also called Veda Sivan, as he holds the four Vedas in his hands. This place is also called Then Kailayam.

Nandi is conspicuously absent at this temple. The legend is that he is missing as he was busy playing the drum (mathalam) at Lord Siva’s wedding!

Murugan was afflicted with the dosham of having slain Padmasuran, and so he installed two lingams here (Chokkalingam and Ramalingam).

Arunagirinathar has sung about this temple in his Tiruppugazh. It is said that after his singing, Murugan appeared and danced to his songs.

A huge wall has been erected around the temple, which is called the Sundarapandiyan Tirumadhil.

It is believed that if one takes a bath in the temple tank and then worships the Lord in all his three sannidhis at this temple, they will be rid of any and all diseases; and all of one’s wishes will come true.