The ancient hill top temple known as Karkudi during the era when the sacred Thevaram hymns were sung has been renamed Uyyakondan Malai, deriving its name from the nearby Uyyakondan Channel, an ancient irrigation system believed to have been constructed during the reign of the Chola dynasty in the 9th century CE. Situated at the base of this towering 50-foot hill lies the revered sannidhi of Muruga. The temple's impressive facade is marked by an east-facing, five-tiered gopuram tower that serves as the grand entrance gateway. Upon passing through this ornate portal, visitors encounter the serene Gyana Vaavi theerta, the temple's water tank, to their left. Directly across from this pool, a series of 65 steps have been meticulously carved into the rocky face of the hill, providing a means of ascent to reach the main temple complex perched atop the elevation. During the climb, devotees pass by a subsidiary sannidhi dedicated to Vinayaka. Once atop the hill, the temple reveals itself, surrounded by high walls on all sides and further adorned with another three-tiered gopuram tower and five prakarams or concentric enclosures within its spacious grounds. Proceeding through this secondary tower, one encounters the classic trio of Nandi, altar, and the soaring temple flagpole. Directly in front of the dhvaja stambha or flagpole, a revered impression of the deity's footprint can be seen, marking the sacred spot where the deity emerged from the sanctum to protect his devotee Markandeya from the clutches of Yama, the god of death. Deeper within the complex, the first sannidhi encountered is that of Goddess Anjanakshi, housing the original, time-worn idol of the deity grasping a flower in her hand, the petals of which have suffered damage over the centuries. Despite this deterioration and acting upon divine guidance received in a dream, the venerable idol was preserved in its original state, while a new sannidhi dedicated to Goddess Balambikai was erected to face the rising sun in the east. Both goddesses continue to be worshipped with due reverence and daily ritual ablutions. An additional sannidhi to Shanmukha, the six-faced form of Muruga, adds to the beauty and sanctity of this ancient hill temple.
As one circumambulates the sanctum along the designated path, an array of sacred sannidhis and deities come into view. The primary four nayanmars, ancient Tamil Shaivite saints, are reverently enshrined, while a captivating sannidhi dedicated to Vinayaka accompanied by Goddess radiates divine grace. On the opposite side, the sannidhi of Subramanya, flanked by his consorts Valli and Deivayanai, exudes spiritual fervor. The temple also houses sannidhis of Gajalakshmi, Jyeshtadevi, Bhairava, Surya, the sun god; and Shani Bhagavan, the embodiment of the planet Saturn. The Goshta murthys include Dakshinamurthy, Durga, Brahma, and Arthanariswar, the androgynous form of Shiva and Parvati. The main deity, Ujjivaneswarar, is a self-manifested or swayambu deity, resplendent in the sannidhi facing west. In close proximity lies the sannidhi of Goddess Anjanakshi, the consort of Ujjivaneswarar. The temple walls bear inscriptions that chronicle the generous donations made by the illustrious Chola kings, Uttama Chola and Rajaraja Chola, testifying to the temple's historical significance. The Pallava king Nandivarma Pallavan also left an indelible mark on the temple through his munificent contributions and renovations, with the temple's vicinity being referred to as Nandivarma Mangalam in the inscriptions. Notably, the Jeshtadevi enshrined in this temple holds special significance as the ancestral deity of Nandivarma Pallavan, believed to bestow protection from accidents and promote vigilance upon those who seek her blessings. The temple's lore also mentions that Karan, one of Ravana's brothers, ardently worshipped the presiding deity and received divine blessings, adding to the temple's mythological allure.
The illustrious Tamil poet-saint Arunagirinathar, renowned for his devotional hymns, has beautifully captured the divine essence of Muruga residing here through his poetic masterpiece, the Thirupugazh. Within this canonical text, two soul-stirring songs have been composed, extolling the glories and virtues of the resident deity. The exquisite idol of Muruga, facing the easterly direction is depicted with a single face, radiating serenity and grace, and is endowed with four arms. Flanking the majestic figure of Muruga are two of his celestial consorts, adding to the aura of divinity that permeates the temple precincts.
The ancient Hindu scriptures tell the remarkable tale of Sage Mrikandu and his son Markandeyan, a story that exemplifies the power of devotion, penance, and divine intervention. Mrikandu, a pious sage, was deeply troubled by his inability to bear children. Desperate to rectify this deficiency, he undertook rigorous penance and fervently prayed to Shiva. Moved by Mrikandu's unwavering dedication and sincere pleas, Shiva manifested before him, offering a profound choice: Mrikandu could either be blessed with a hundred offspring who would be ignorant and inconsequential, or he could have a single son, destined to live a mere sixteen years, but endowed with unparalleled knowledge, wisdom, and an exceptional aptitude for worshipping the divine. Recognizing the immeasurable value of a child imbued with such rare qualities, Mrikandu humbly chose the latter option. Thus, when his son was born, he bestowed upon him the name Markandeyan, a name that would become synonymous with spiritual enlightenment and immortality. As Markandeyan approached his sixteenth year, Sage Mrikandu, acutely aware of his son's impending fate, revealed to him the truth about his limited lifespan. Undaunted by this revelation, Markandeyan, guided by his father's wisdom, sought refuge in the devotion to Shiva. He embarked on a pilgrimage, visiting numerous temples dedicated to Shiva, immersing himself in fervent worship and meditation. His journey eventually led him to the Karkudi Shiva temple, where his unwavering devotion reached its zenith. It was at this site that the deity Ujjivaneswarar, appeared before Markandeyan, acknowledging his extraordinary faith and granting him the ultimate boon—the gift of eternal youth and immortality. From that moment on, Markandeyan would forever remain a Chiranjeevi, a being blessed with perpetual existence, forever frozen at the age of sixteen.
The Sthala Purana mentions that the Shiva temple mentioned is renowned for bestowing longevity and prosperity upon those who reside in its vicinity. According to the sacred text, devotees who offer their reverence and prayers at this site are said to transcend the fear of mortality itself. The temple's spiritual significance is further underscored by the fact that it has been exalted in the hymns of the three illustrious Nayanars – Appar, Sambandar, and Sundarar. In his poetic compositions, which are enshrined in the 6th Thirumurai, Thirunavukkarasar repeatedly affirms his direct vision of Ujjiva Nathar. The serene atmosphere atop the hill, coupled with the panoramic view of the surrounding landscape, adds to the temple's spiritual allure and makes it a popular spot drawing people from all walks of life.
Temple Entrance
Way up
Entrance
Gnanavavi-The pool
The Trio
Outer Pathway
Second Tower
Dakshinamurthy
Primary four Nayanmars
Bhairava, Sun and Sani