| Description:
This is one of the 8 Veeratta Stalams Tiruvatikai, Tirukkurukkai, Tirukkadavur, Tiruvazhuvur, Tirukkovalur, Tiruppariyalur, Tirukkandiyur and Tiruvirkudi of Shiva. Tirukkurukkai is located 8 km
northwest of Mayiladuturai and is considered to be the 26th in the
series of the Tevara Stalams located in Chola Nadu north of the river
Kaveri. Legends: Tirukkurukkai is associated here
with the destruction of Manmathan by Shiva.. Various towns around here bear names of
incidents connected with Manmathan's tryst with Shiva. Eg. Kaalvalaimedu, Kanganamputhur,
Vedanallur, Villiyanallur. The Pazhavaaru river to the north of this town is known as
Gnaana Theertham, as it is believed that the tears of joy that flowed out of Shiva in a
state of meditation merged with this river. Shiva is said to have been in a state of
meditation under the Kadukkai tree after the destruction of the vain Daksha's yaagam,
hence the name Yogeeswarar. After the slaying of Kaama, he is said to have brought him
back to life - in flesh and blood for thesake of Rathi, and in a formless state for
others, hence the name Kama Anga Naasan.
A rishi by name Deergavahu performed the ritual of visiting several Saivite shrines,
invoking the Ganges through Yogic powers & offering the waters to Shiva; It is said
that his arms shrunk as he did the same here, hence Tirukkurukkai.
The Temple: This temple covers an area of about 2.5 acres A nine
tiered Rajagopuram adorns this temple with 2 prakarams. Stucco images related to legends
connected with the stalapuranam here are seen on the Vimanam.Natarajar's Sabha here is
known as Kaamaanganaasini Sabha and the Taandavam here is Veera Natanam. Appar is believed
to have visited this shrine after visiting Tiruppunkur and Tiruneedur. Inscriptions
from the period of Raja Raja Chola I (and his descendants) and the Vijayanagar rulers are
found in this temple.
Festivals: Four worship services are offered each day here. The
slaying of Kama is enacted on Masi Magham (full moon) while the annual festival concludes
two days later. Other festivals celebrated here include Vinayaka Chaturthi, Navaratri and
Sivaratri. |
