About Temple:
This is also the place where Rishi Theerthavagu brought down the Ganga to bathe the Lord. It is here the Lord burnt the Cupid who was then blessed by the Lord in response to his apology. A temple known for its antiquity. Sung by Thirugnanasambadar, Appar and Sundarar. Situated in North of the Chola Kingdom.
Korukkai is located 22 Km from Mayiladuthurai and 30 from Sirkali.
View Of Veeratteswarar Temple Gopuram – Korukkai
History
While Lord Shiva was in medidation the world could not bear the heat emanated from his penance. The Devas approached Lord Muruga to disturb the Lord’s concentration, which he refused. Finally, they approached Cupid for the purpose, which, without realizing the consequences, ventured to play with the Lord. His arrows fell on the Lord, who, opening the eyes saw the Cupid and burnt him. His wife Rathi begged the lord for his life. Answering her prayers, the Lord gave Cupid his life and sent him to the world above called Devaloka.
The ancient Siva Temple here is dedicated to Sri Veeratteswarar or Yogeeswarar. The village where this reputed shrine standa is five kilometers north-west of Nidur railway station which is on the Madras-Thrichy main line. The sacred tank popularly called Soola Theertham in front of the temple is considered as holy as the Ganges.
Veeratteswarar Temple – Korukkai
The ancient temple covers an area of 2.5 acres. It was renovated by the Adheenakartha of the Dharmapura Adheenam. There are several stone inscriptions here giving valuable information about the temple. The temple has a beautiful tower in the front, two prakarams, two sancta and two beautiful vimanams, one for Swamy and one for Ambal with stucco figures on them. There is a separate shrine for Sri Durgaparameswari Amman. The Moolavar, Sri Veeratteswarar is a Swayambu Lingam. A novel feature of this Lingam is that it has a beautiful lotus like structure on the top known as the ‘Vishnu Peetam’ Saint Appar had worshipped the Lord here and composed several sacred Padhigams in His praise, of which the under mentioned stanza is an impressive one. Poojas are performed four times daily by hereditary Brahmin priests according to the principles of the Agama Sastras.
Front Side View Of Veeratteswarar Temple – Korukkai
The temple own a rishabam, a peacock, a swan, a bandicoot and a parrot vahanam all made of wood. The place is held very sacred since according to a popular belief it was here that the Lord in Yogic posture opened His third eye on the forehead and burnt Kama or Cupid to ashes. Navarathri, Vinayaga Chathurthi, Sivarathri and Masi Magham are the regular annual festivals celebrated by the temple. The Manmatha festival commemorating the mythological incident is celebrated with great éclat attracts a large number of devotees from far and near. Legend has it that being unaware of the divinity that characterized the waters of the Soola Theertham, Saint Dheergabahu Munivar stretched out his hands as usual towards the Heavens to receive the Noly Ganges water.
View Of Veeratteswarar Temple
But at once he was shocked to see his long hands grow short. His pathetic appeal to Lord Vinayaga was of no avail. In a state of despair, he began to knock his head against a stone but there shot out of the stone a hand to protect his head and bless him. Dheergabahu who was so blessed came to be known as Kurungai (Kurumkai – short hand) Munivar. The village’s name is Kurungai which later on got corrupted into Kurukkai or Korukkai. The glory of this sacred sthalam is supposed to have been narrated to the Devas by the reputed Sage Vyasar. The affairs of the temple are managed by the Adheenakartha of the Dharmapura Adheenam who is the hereditary Trustee of the temple.
The inscriptions are found on the mandapam and Chandeswara shrines. Most of the inscriptions refer to gifts of lands to the temple. However, a few are of interest. An inscription in the twenty-ninth year of Kulothunga III records the gift of paddy for mention the expenses of maintaining the servants of Thiruppalliyarai, the construction of a guhai called Thirunavukkarasu Thirukkugai for feeding the destitute apurvins who visited it and the Mahesvaras who attented the festival of Thiru Vaikasl Thirunal.
It also refers to the recitation of Thiruth Thandagam in the temple. The nineteenth regnal year of Kulothunga III. Another inscription of the same king (Kulothunga III) records a gift of money by a lady to some other temple. The last named Araiyan Umaiyalvi belonging to Periya Ahapparivarman gifted for offerings to the temple of Thiru Chamundisvaramudaiayr and to the images of Thiruppalliyaraiaa Nachiyar and Atkondanayaka Deva set up by her in the temple at Panaiyur in Kurrukkainadu.
Veeratteswarar Temple Korukkai
Festivals:
Masi Magam – Kama Dhagana Vizha 10days during January February. Brahmmotsavam is celebrated in a grand manner. Thiruvadirai during December-January. Procession of deities. These are the important festivals. Navarathri and monthly pradoshas are very important. Deepavali, Pongal and Tamil and English New Year days are also observed.
Specialities:
People praying to Veeratteswarar conquer lust, gain physical and mental strength, cured of illness, initiation to deep medidation and all noblest gifts. They gain complete mental peace, employment opportunities, and development in business, promotion in jobs, settlement of marriage and children.Devotees offer Kalyanamalai (marriage garland), clothing, abishek in milk, curd, turmeric powder, tender coconut, lime, honey, sandal etc.
