Kutralaanathar Temple, Kuttralam
Location: Kuttralam
Deity known as: Kuttralanathar, Kurumpalanathar, Trikootanathar, Trikootachaleshwarar
Female Deity: Venu-VakVathini, Kuzhalvoi Mozhiammai
Pathikam: Sambandhar - 2
Gallery - Kutralaanathar Temple
How to Reach
This Shiva Temple is located about 5 kilometers from Tenkasi. Tenkasi is well connected by both road and rail from Madurai and Tirunelveli. Regular bus services are available from Tenkasi to Kutralam.
By Train
Train numbers 16101 and 12661 from Chennai Egmore, and train number 20683 from Tambaram, operate services to Senkottai, which is about 7 kilometers from Kutralam.
Temple Address
Kutralam
Kutralam Post
Tenkasi Taluk
Tirunelveli District
PIN - 627802
Temple Hours
Morning: 6:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Evening: 4:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Specialities
Shakthi Peetam: Parashakthi
Pancha Sabha: Paintings
Pooja: Tiruvananthal Puja (Morning 6:00 AM)
Salient Features
- Shakthi Peetam: This temple is Parashakthi Peetam and is revered as one of the sacred Shakti Peetam.
- Pancha Sabha: This temple is one of the five Pancha Sabha temples dedicated to Nataraja, representing the Chitra Sabha.
- Swayambhu Linga: The presiding deity is a self-manifested (Swayambhu) Linga that is believed to have transformed from an idol of MahaVishnu.
- Unique Legend: This is the temple where Sage Agasthya is believed to have witnessed the celestial wedding of Shiva and Parvathi.
- Conch-shaped Temple: The temple layout is designed in the shape of a conch, reflecting its Vaishnavite origins.
Temple Legend - Sage Agasthya's Journey
During the celestial wedding of Shiva and Parvati at Mount Kailash, the presence of countless gods and sages gathered in the north caused the earth to tilt slightly. To restore balance, Shiva asked the revered sage Agastya to travel to the southern regions. Agastya felt sorrowful at leaving, as he wished to witness the divine marriage. Understanding the sage’s devotion, Shiva granted him a boon that he would be able to behold the sacred wedding from wherever he was and whenever he desired.
Places visited by Sage Agasthya in his journey to south -
- Tiru-Kodunkundram
- Kutralam
- Tiru-Panankattur
- Tiru-Kallil
- Tiru-Votriyur
- Tiru-Verkaadu
- Tiru-Vaanmiyur
- Achirupakkam.
- Tiru-Nallur
- Tiru-Nani-Palli
- TiruAakkur
Upon reaching the Podhigai Hills, Sage Agasthya bathed in a nearby waterfall and proceeded to the temple. As a staunch follower of Shaivism, he was denied entry, since the temple was then dedicated to Mahavishnu. Deeply distressed by this turn of events, the Sage travelled to Ilanji, where he prayed earnestly to Muruga.
The Divine Transformation
Muruga advised Sage Agasthya to disguise himself as a Vaishnava in order to gain entry into the temple, where he would be blessed to witness the divine wedding of Shiva and Parvathi. Following this counsel, the Sage entered the temple in disguise and beheld the deity Mahavishnu in the sanctum. He then prayed earnestly, closed his eyes, and placed his hand upon the idol of Mahavishnu.
The Miraculous Event
Miraculously, the idol began to shrink and transformed into a Shiva Linga. In that very moment of divine transformation, Sage Agasthya was blessed with the vision of the celestial wedding of Shiva and Parvathi, which he had missed due to his southward journey. The transformed Shiva Linga bears the imprint of Sage Agasthya’s palm, left as he pressed it in devotion. Just as the idol of MahaVishnu became a Linga, Sridevi transformed into Kuzhalvaimozhi Ammai, and Bhudevi manifested as Parashakti.
Temple Layout and Architecture
The temple is situated at the foothills of the scenic Trikutamalai, rising to a height of about 5,000 feet. Spread across nearly 3.5 acres, the temple complex has four entrances and is uniquely designed in the shape of a conch, reflecting its original dedication to Lord Mahavishnu.
Bird's Eye View
The conch-shaped layout of the temple can be clearly seen from a bird’s-eye view near the waterfall, along the path leading to the Senbhadevi Temple on the hill.
Main Sanctum
The presiding deity, Trikootanathar—also known as Kutralanathar—is worshipped in the form of a self-manifested (Swayambhu) transformed Linga, facing east. The sannidhi of Kuzhalvaimozhiyammai is located to the right of the presiding deity’s shrine and also faces east.
Parashakti Peetam
The Kutralanathar Temple is revered as one of the 'Shakti Peetam' temples. This sacred Parashakti Peetam, consecrated by Sage Agasthya, is located in the prakaram surrounding the sanctum.
Prakaram Sannidhis
Along the narrow path of the prakaram, we can see sannidhis of:
- Adhikhara Nandi
- Surya
- Kumbhamuni
- Panchaboothalingam
- Nannakaraperumal
- Subramaniya
- Saneeswara
- Goshta Murthas: Dakshinamurthy, Vinayaka and Sapthamatha
Pancha Sabha Sthalam - Chitra Sabha
Kutralanathar Temple is also one of the 'Pancha Sabha' temples dedicated to Nataraja. About 1 km from the main temple, the Chitra Sabha stands as a separate structure, accompanied by a small pond nearby.
Exquisite Wooden Carvings
The Chitra Sabha features exquisite wooden carvings that are truly remarkable and captivating. Its roof is designed in a style strikingly similar to that of the renowned Chidambaram Temple.
Two Halls of the Chitra Sabha
First Hall: The first hall is adorned with numerous windows, allowing ample natural light to illuminate the space. On the auspicious day of Tiruvathirai, Lord Nataraja is placed on a platform at the center of this hall.
Second Hall: The walls of the second hall are adorned with intricate and captivating paintings depicting all 64 Tiruvilayadal (divine plays) of Lord Shiva. The vibrant colors and meticulous attention to detail in these artworks leave devotees and visitors alike in awe.
Orientation
The Chitra Sabha faces east, while the idol of Nataraja within the sabha is oriented towards the south.
Gallery - Kutralaanathar Temple
