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Kunnakkudi is noted for its beautiful hill temple
dedicated to Shanmuganathar. The name Kunnakudi is derived
from the sacred Kunru(hill) housing the temple. Kunnakkudi
is also known as Mayuragiri, Arasavanam and Mayuranagaram.
Kunnakudi is located at a distance of 14 kms from
Karaikudi. Located in the vicinity is the Tevara stalam
Thiruppattur and the famous Karpagavinayakar Temple at
Pillayarpatti. This temple has been revered by the
Thirupugazh hymns of Arunagirinathar.
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History
Kunnakudi is located at a distance of 14 kms from Karaikudi.
Located in the vicinity is the Tevara stalam Thiruppattur and
the famous Karpagavinayakar Temple at Pillayarpatti. This
temple has been revered by the Thirupugazh hymns of
Arunagirinathar.
The Togaiyadi Vinayakar shrine is located at the foot of the
hill. A flight of steps leads to the top of the hill. There is
a shrine to Idumban enroute to the hill temple. The Kunnakkudi
temple was built by the Marudu brothers of this area (Sivaganga
Samastaanam), who are also associated with the major
Shivastalams in this area. There is
a cave temple dedicated to Shiva with a 5 tiered Gopuram at
the foot of the hill. This cave temple is of great
archeological significance. There are three caves here, dating
back to the 8th century CE. There are three caves here. The
first enshrines a Shivalingam. One of the walls bears a
sculptured image of Vishnu, while the other bears an image of
Lingapurnadeva, being worshipped by Bhrama (with a miniature
swan above him) and a four armed Vishnu bearing a conch and
discus. Also carved here are images of Durga and Harihara
bearing attributes of both Shiva and Vishnu (as in
Pillayarpatti). There is also a brilliant sculpture of
Nataraja in this cave temple in addition to image of Vinayaka
and Subramanya.
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Mythology
Legend has it that Vishnu and Bhrama once paid a visit to
Skanda - at which time, the peacock mount of Skanda behaved
with arrogance towards the guests. Skanda cursed the peacock
to turn into stone. This peacock manifested itself as a hill
and carried out penances towards Skanda, after which it was
restored to its original form. Part of the rock is said to
remain as Mayuragiri or Kunnakkudi, enshrining Skanda. |
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The Temple Architecture
The presiding deity is the six faced Shanmugar mounted on his
peacock flanked by Valli and Deivayanai. The sanctum faces the
east.
To the south of the sanctum is the impressive Alankara
mandapam enshrining the festival image of Shanmugar. There are
also shrines to Vinayakar, Kuzhandai Vadivelar, Meenakshi
Sundareswarar, Dakshinamurthy, Natarajar, Chandeswarar and the
Navagrahams. Images of Veerabahu and idumban are also seen at
this temple. Much of this is a rock cut temple.
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Festival
Six worship services are offered each day here. The annual
festivals are celebrated during Thaipoosam and Panguni Uttiram.
Many devotees circumambulate the hill during these occasions.
Mondays, in the month of Karthigai are considered sacred here.
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