In the heart of Tirunelveli's diverse temple landscape, there exists a truly exceptional gem, set amidst an unexpected backdrop—a cremation ground. Welcome to Karuppanthurai, formerly known as Karruppoonthurai, the designated cremation ground for Tirunelveli town. Nestled within this unique location lies a small yet enchanting temple from the later Pandya era, believed to have been constructed in the 1200s or 1300s. Its origins are steeped in a captivating legend, adding to its mystique.
According to lore, Lord Shiva, in a fit of anger for not being invited to a yagna (sacrificial ritual) conducted by Daksha, assumed the fearsome form of Bhairava. In this wrathful state, he not only disrupted the yagna but also punished all who aided Daksha, ultimately leading to Daksha's demise. Subsequently, Shiva's furious incarnation settled in Mela Natham village under the name Agneeswara. His fiery gaze scorched the lands in the opposite direction, including Karuppoonthurai, Karunkadu, and Karikkaththoppu. Faced with this fiery catastrophe, the distressed inhabitants sought the assistance of their benevolent King Veera Pandian, who, in turn, sought the aid of the renowned Siddha Goraka.
Goraka, a revered Siddha, undertook the task of pacifying Shiva's wrath. He installed an icon of Lord Shiva Linga, embodying a serene and calming presence, in Karupponthurai to quell the destructive fire wrought by Shiva's furious form. On the auspicious day of Poornima, Goraka led the villagers in a grand ceremony, offering their heartfelt prayers to the newly installed Shiva Linga, who would come to be known as Azhiyapati Iswarar. This divine intervention effectively shielded Tirunelveli from Shiva's fiery rage. Notably, this temple holds the unique distinction of being the sole place worldwide where Lord Shiva is venerated under the name "Azhiyapati Iswarar."
The sanctum of this temple houses a moderately sized east-facing Shiva Linga, the Azhiyapati Iswarar. Adjacent to this, a south-facing shrine venerates the exquisite Goddess Sivakama Sundari, also known as Soundaravalli. Her enchanting posture, with her head tilted southwest while gazing upwards, enhances her allure, earning her the name Soundaravalli. An intriguing aspect is her role as an intermediary between devotees and Lord Azhiyapadeeswarar, conveying the supplications of devotees to the deity—an attribute rarely found elsewhere.
Within the temple's Maha mandapa, one encounters icons of Ganesha and Subramanya. Nandi, the sacred bull, faces the presiding deity. The temple's prakara features sub-shrines dedicated to various deities, including Kannimoola Ganapati, Dakshinamurti, Subramanya along with Valli and Devasena, Shasta, Bhagavati, Chandikeshwara, and Bhairava. The holy foot-print of Goraka (Goraka padam) is also seen in the Maha mandapa.
The temple's vimana, characterized by its two-tiered Nagara vimana design, is a sight to behold. While the hollow niches remain unadorned, the toranas above them showcase miniature depictions of Dakshinamurti, Narasimha, and Brahma, adding an artistic flourish to this sacred abode.
Happy travelling.
