Thirukkurukkai

Padal Petra Sthalam, Nagapattinam District

God

Veeratteswarar, facing west

Goddess

Gnanambigai, facing south

Other Deities

Kurungai Vinayaka, Muruga with consorts, Gajalakshmi, Kamadagana Murthy, Manmadan, Sanagadhi Sages, Kurungai Vinayagar, Sage Theerthabagu, Sogahareswarar, Durga, Brahma, Lingotbavar, Dakshinamurthy, Chandikeswara, Navagrahas, Nataraja, Manickavasagar

Thirukkurukkai is a large west facing temple with a 5 tier Rajagopuram at the western entrance. The temple tank is on the west opposite the Rajagopuram. The temple has many ancient idols on top of the sanctum sanctorum. The vimaana for the Kurungai Vinayaka is in the form of Gajaprashtam (sitting Elephant).

Holy Water (Theertham) – Soolatheertham

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – Kadukkai Maram (Terminalia chebula)

History

Thirunavukkarasar (7th Century CE) has rendered Thevaram Hymns for the lord here at Thirukkurukkai. Stone inscriptions belonging to the Vijayanagar Period can be seen here at Thirukkurukkai.

Legend

Thirukkurukkai is one of the 8 Veeratta Temples and Shiva is believed to have burnt Manmada (Cupid) here. This place is also called Yogeesapuram, Kamadaganapuram and Kambakarapuram. Vinayaka is believed to have shortened his hands to satisfy sage Theerkavagu whose hands were shortened when he tried to get Akasha Gangai to perform Abhishekam to the lord overlooking the Thrisula Gangai present here at Thirukkurukkai. Thus the name Kurukkai (Short Arm).

Directions

Thirukkurukkai temple is 12 kilometers northwest of Mayiladuthurai.

Stay and Food

None locally. Closest is Mayiladuthurai

Padal Petra Sthalams