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 When one thinks of Kutralam, the natural thought is that of luxuriant waterfalls. However, Kutralam offers more to the religiously minded. There is a temple of Thirukutralanathar or Kurumpalaveesar. The Lord here is an aspect of Siva. Thirukutralanathar means lord of the three peaks. The deity is believed to have been installed by sage Agastya and the temple was built somewhere in the eighth century. Agastyar is said to have shrunk the image of Vishnu and then created the Siva linga here.
Traditionally, a temple is supposed to have one of the five shapes: discus, tortoise, square, lotus and circle. However, this temple is in the shape of a conch, signifying Vishnu. Hence, it is also known as the Sangu shrine.
In the eastern side is the main deity with His consort Kuzhalvaaimozhiammai. There is a hall in the temple by name Thirukoota mandapa. In this hall various decorations to deities during festivals are conducted. Among other deities are Vinayaka, Subramanya and Iyyanar. There are also deities for the five elements: Vanmikanathar for the earth, Jambukeswarar for water, Annamalainadhar for fire, Kalathiappar for air and Thirumulanathar for sky.
 The northern entrance has eighteen steps guarded by Kutrala Karuppan. Lord Nataraja is said to have danced in five holy places and Kutralam is one of them. The Chitra Sabhai or the hall of pictures is in a picturesque locale away from the main temple. Architecturally, the Chitra Sabhai resembles that of the other Nataraja sabhas elsewhere in Tamil Nadu, and its interior is decked with hundreds of murals, depicting images from the Indian epics. It is an excellent house of art and architecture. Natarajar is decorated and brought here during festivals from the main temple.
Many stories have been woven around this temple. Thirukutrala sthala purana, Kutrala kuravanji, Kutrala nathar ula, Kutralam Alai mention a few of them. The temple is famous for its sculptural beauty. There is an impressive image
of Parasakti armed with a trisula and dancing in one leg. Her plaits fall down like a cascade.
The temple conducts nine worship services everyday. In the annual festival, Shiva appears as Brahma, Vishnu, Rudra, Eswara, Sadasiva and Subramanya. Other festivals celebrated here are Vasanta Utsavam in Chittirai, Pavitrotsavam in Kartikai, Navaratri, Skanda Sashti, Chittirai Vishu and Aippasi
Vishu.
Tenkasi is the nearest railway station and buses also ply frequently to this place.
S.Sowmya
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