Thiruchunai

Saivite Temples, Madurai District

God

Agastheeswarar, facing east

Goddess

Paadalambikai

Other Deities

Sanctum Niches – Vinayaka, Dakshinamurthy, Lingotbavar, Brahma, Durga.
Vinayaka, Muruga with consorts, Kasi Viswanathar, Visalakshi, Bhairava, Chandran, Surya with consorts, Navagraha, Sage Agastya

Thiruchunai is a beautiful temple on a small mound of rock with a pond in the front. It would be very nice to spend a quiet evening here.

Holy Water (Theertham) – Chunai – Spring near the temple

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – Not known

History

Thiruchunai is a very ancient temple that derived its name from the Chunai (Spring) behind. Thiruchunai was built by Sundara Pandya I (10th century CE). The images of three people (Periya Aandi, Chinna Aandi and Vellayammal) who were instrumental in the construction of Thiruchunai are carved in the pillars here. Their descendants are said to visit and pay respects to them even today.

Legend

Sage Agastya is believed to have rested here at Thiruchunai and created the Shiva Linga and installed it himself. This is also considered one of the places where he was blessed with the vision of the Lord’s marriage. We were told that the marriages of all surrounding villages takes place at this temple.

Directions

When going from Tiruchirapalli towards Madurai take a right at Karungalkudi to reach Thiruchunai. This location is about 45 Kilometers before Madurai.

Stay and Food

None locally. Closest is Madurai.

Saivite Temples