Temples of Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry #95: Kodunkundranathar Temple, Thirukodunkundram
- Sudharshan
- Sep 6
- 5 min read
Updated: Sep 12
கொடுங்குன்றநாதர் திருக்கோயில், திருக்கொடுங்குன்றம், பிரான்மலை
This celebrated, ancient Sivan temple is set against a hill which itself is considered sacred from olden times. The hill is a large 2000-foot high rocky outcropping in an otherwise mostly flat land to the east and is considered one of the southernmost parts of the Eastern Ghats. It was originally called Parambu Malai and finds mention in several works of the Sangam literature of more than 2000 years ago. Thirugnanasampanthar called it Embiranmalai in his Thevaram of the early 7th century. Today it is called Piranmalai. It is believed to be shaped like a lingam. The temple is a Paadal Petra Sthalam and is the 5th in the Pandiyan country. The temple is also referred to as the Nallamangaibakaswamy temple or Mangaipakaswamy Temple.
The temple is built into the hill on its eastern face and faces east. It is a vast temple encompassing more than 30 acres and is built in three distinct levels. The two upper levels are reached by climbing steps built into the hill face. The bottom level is variously called Boologam (earth) or Pathalam (netherworld). The middle level is again sometimes referred to as the earth level or Antariksham (space/sky) and the topmost shrine is referred to as Kailasam or the abode of Lord Shiva). The Lord graces as different idols in all three levels. At the bottom shrine he manifests as a suyambulingam and is called Kodunkundranathar or Kodunkundreeswarar with Goddess Kuyilamudha Nayaki as his consort. At the middle level, the Lord is known as Visvanathar and the Goddess Visalakshi. There is also a Bhairavar shrine here that is very special. At the top, the Lord is known as Mangaipakar (the Lord with his lady) and the Goddess is Thenambikai. The idol here depicts the Lord with Goddess Parvati at his side and is thought to be either carved from natural stone or fashioned out of 9 natural herbs, It is very ancient and no abhishekam is done to it to prevent damage but is anointed with protective natural oils.
The temple has some unique features. It is built in such a way that during the last 3 months of the Dakshinayana beginning in October/November and the first 3 months of the Utharayana ending in March/April, the rays of the sun fall directly on the Lord. Lord Murugan here has an elephant as his Vaakanam as opposed to the peacock, reflecting the antiquity of the temple. The thalavirutcham or temple tree is the Uranga Puli tamarind which is unique in that it blossoms and bears fruit but the fruit will not ripen. The leaves will not fold at night as they do in regular tamarind trees. There is a beautiful 5 tier rajagopuram. There is no Nandhi here. Originally there was no Balipeedam or Kodimaram. A kodimaram or dwajasthambam appears to have been installed in recent times.
Given the antiquity, there are a lot of legends here. It is said that during the divine tussle between Lord Vayu and Adisesha, pieces of Mount Meru fell on different places on earth. This hill is believed to be one of those pieces. During the divine marriage of Lord Shiva and Parvati, sage Agasthya was sent south to balance the loss of equilibrium caused by the great congregation at Kailash. The Lord gave Agasthya darshan at several places in the south to placate him and this is one such site. The Lord manifests in his Anyonya or Kalyana Kolam at the top level of this temple because of this.
There is an interesting legend that is associated with this temple that has been part of Tamil folklore for millennia and is mentioned in the Sangam literature. It is about an ancient Tamil chieftain or minor king called Paari Vallal. He was one of the seven Kadai Ezhu Vallalgal (the last 7 charitable kings) and ruled the territory around here. He was a just and charitable king. His palace was believed to have been on the hill. One day King Paari came to visit the temple here and left his shiny new chariot or 'ther' at the entrance and went inside to pray and meditate, When he came out a few hours later, he found that a wild jasmine creeper (Mullai) was blowing in the wind trying to find support and was trying to hang onto the chariot. The king was overcome with compassion for the plant and left his chariot and went home without it. There is a little statue of Paari at the temple to commemorate the event
The origins of the temple are difficult to date historically, given the great antiquity. Many dynasties including Pandiyan and later kings seem to have contributed at various times. The temple as it stands today is the culmination of that process. The Marudhu Pandiyar brothers made great contributions in the late 17th century at a time when they were fighting the British. The kings of Ramanathapuram have also contributed much. The Kundrakudi Aadheenam plays an active role in the administration of this temple.
This is a Paadal Petra Sthalam and is much venerated by Tamil Saivites. Thirugnanasampanthar rendered the pathikam in the early seventh century. On his southern sojourn in the Pandiyan country he is supposed to have reached here after leaving Vedaranyam. He sings thus:
வானிற்பொலி வெய்தும்மழை மேகங்கிழித் தோடிக்
கூனற்பிறை சேருங்குளிர் சாரற்கொடுங் குன்றம்
ஆனிற்பொலி யைந்தும்மமர்ந் தாடியுல கேத்தத்
தேனிற்பொலி மொழியாளொடு மேயான்திரு நகரே.
(Where thunder roars in the sky and lightning flashes,
where cool clouds tear open and rain pours,
stands the mighty hill of Kodunkundram,
crowned with the curved crescent moon.
Here, the Lord, adorned with the five sounds of music,
and worshipped by the world, dances in joy and
abides in his sacred city, together with His beloved, whose words are sweet as honey)
The Chithirai Brahmotsavam is the special festival here. During the 10 day festival, one day is dedicated to Paari Vallal and he is brought in procession on that day.
Sometime over the last few centuries a Sufi Muslim saint or cleric is believed to have been buried on top of the hill and a dargah or mosque has been built over it. Thus it has become a pilgrimage site for Muslims too.
It is located 70 km or 1.5 hours northeast of Madurai, 90 km or 1.5 hours southwest of Thiruchirapalli and 50 km or 1 hour northwest of Karaikudi. We visited in June 2025. We were based in Kanadukathan.
Sources: Dinamalar - Temples
Census of India, 1961: Temples of Madras State Volume 6 Madurai-Ramanathapuram page 192 Office of the Registrar General. Manager of Publications.
Shaivam.org
Credits: Google Maps
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