Thirukutralanathar Temple, Kuttralam
Sri Thirukutralanathar Temple, Kuttralam
Sri Kutralanathar temple, located adjacent to Coutrallam Main Falls is one of the prominent temples in Tamil Nadu. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Thirukutralam or Trikootachalam represents one of the five Pancha Sabhas of Lord Nataraja. The temple is located 7 kilometers from Thenkasi in Tirunelveli district.
The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of the Govt. of Tamil Nadu.
Kutralanathar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva worshipped as Sri Kutralanathar and his consort Goddess Parvathi worshipped as Kuzhalvoimozhi Amman. It is believed that the worship of Kutralanathar has been in practice since the Sanga period.
Legend behind the temple
According to the legend, the temple was originally a Vaishnava temple. At Lord Shiva’s request, Sage Agastyar went southward to balance the instability caused by the multitude of crowd present at the wedding of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi in the Himalayas. Sage Agastyar is believed to have converted the Vishnu shrine into a Shiva Lingam.
This temple is one of the Pancha Sabha Kshetram of Lord Shiva (in the form of Lord Nataraja) known as Chitra Sabha. The other four dance halls are found in Chidambaram, Madurai, Tiruvalankau and Tirunelveli. The Chithra Sabha or the hall of pictures located in a picturesque locale, 500 metres away from the temple is decked with hundreds of murals.
The Temple Deities
Kutralanathar temple is conch shaped and is referred to as Sangakkovil. The presiding deity Lord Shiva is worshipped in the temple as Kutralanathar and his consort Goddess Parvathi as Kuzhalvoi Mozhiamman. Lord Shiva shrine in the temple is a Swayambumurthi i.e it is self-manifested. There is a separate shrine for Lord Vishnu, Kasi Viswanathar, Kasi Visalakshi, Adi Parashakti, Tenkasi Viswanathar, Nellaiyappar Gandhimathi Ambal and Navagrahas. Lord Ganesha and Lord Murugan also grace this holy place.
Reference to Literature
Thrikooda Rasappa Kavirayar’s well known work Kutrala Kuravanji glorifies the shrine at Thiru Kutralam. The temple has been revered in two pathigams by Saint Tirugnanasambandhar of 7th century A.D. The four great poets Appar, Sundarar, Gnanasambandhar and Manikkavasahar have sung about this holy place.
Kutralanathar Temple Timings
The temple remains open from 6:00 AM to 12:00 Noon and from 4:30 PM to 8:00 PM.
Pooja Timings of Kutralanathar
| Pooja Details | Timings |
|---|---|
| Thiruvananthal | 6:00 AM |
| Uthayamarthandam | 7:00 AM |
| Vila Pooja | 8:00 AM |
| Sirukala Sandhi | 9:00 AM |
| Kala Sandhi | 10:00 AM |
| Uchikalam | 12:00 Noon |
| Sayaratchai | 6:00 PM |
| Arthajamam | 8:00 PM |
Kutralanathar Temple Festivals
The major festivals observed in the temple are:
- Vishu Festival – 10 days festival during the Tamil month of Chithirai (April-May)
- Brahmotsavam – 10 days festival during the Tamil month of Aippasi (October-November)
- Thiruvadhirai Festival – 10 days festival during the Tamil month of Margazhi (December-January)
- Navarathri Festival – 9 days festival during the Tamil month of Purattasi (September-October)
Other festivals observed in the temple include Adi Ammavasai, Avani Moolam, Aippasi Thirukalyanam, Kandha Shasti, Karthigai Deepam, Thai Maha Theppam, Maasi Sivarathri and Panguni Uthiram.
How to reach Kutralanathar Temple
Kutralanathar temple is located at a distance of 14 kilometres from Tenkasi bus station and 65 kilometres from Tirunelveli. Tenkasi Railway Junction at a distance of around 16 kilometres connects the temple to all major cities in the State. Madurai Airport is the nearest airport at a distance of 161 kilometres from the temple.