Lord Shiva is a Swayambumurthi in the temple.
Shrine’s History
Due to an unmanageable crowd of Devas, Rishis to attend the Wedding of Lord Shiva with Mother Parvathi, north began to sink due the heavyweight and south began to rise up. To balance the ground level, Lord Shiva called Sage Agasthya to go south and said his single weight alone could solve this problem. Lord also assured the sage that he would be able to have the wedding darshan from Kuttralam itself, because, he changed Vishnu to Shivalinga and worshipped Him according to Makudagama rules here.
Agasthya took the command of Lord and reached Kuttralam. But the Dwarapalakas of the erstwhile Vishnu temple denied entry to the sage. The sage, though upset, went to the nearby Ilanji Kumaran temple, made a Linga with the white sand and prayed for Shiva darshan. Lord Muruga appeared before the sage and suggested that he may enter the temple as a Vaishnava, make Perumal a Shiva and worship his Lord. Agasthya entered the temple with Tiruman Nama on the frehead, Tulsi mala around the neck and worshipped holding Lord Shiva in his heart. The conch in Vishnus hand changed into deer, Tulsi into a crescent moon, Tilak as forehead eye and the ratna in the chest as the serpent. Agasthya pressed the head of Vishnu with his hand letting it go down and down till it got the form of a Linga. Agasthya got the Shiva Parvathi wedding darhsan immediately here itself. It is still believed that the Devas are worshipping the Lord in the temple during the day and Sage Agasthya during the night.
The fingerprints of Sage Agasthya on the Linga are still visible. Lord Shiva worshipped by Agasthya at Ilanji is praised as Iruvaluka Nayaka. It is suggested that devotees should worship Iruvaluka Shiva first before proceeding to Kuttralam for full gain. The temple was in the shape of a conch when it was a Vaishnavite shrine. It is so now too. The devotee can observe this form on his/her way to Shenbagadevi temple. Conch represents the power of Mother Mahalakshmi. The sound gives energy. Hence, conch is blown during Shiva pujas.
Shrine’s Map Location and How to Go There
By Road
Kuttralam is situated about 200km from Madurai, 65 km from Tirunelveli and 5 km from Tenkasi. Tenkasi is a bustling town, which has decent bus services to many parts of south Tamil Nadu. Alternatively, special buses operated by the government ply directly to Kuttralam during the season.
By Rail
Tenkasi is the nearest rail head. It is connected to Chennai and Tirunelveli by frequent services. You can hire a taxi or an auto from Tenkasi Railway Station to reach Kuttralam. Kuttralam is just 6km away from Thenkasi Railway Junction. Getting in is easy.
By Air
The nearest Airport is Madurai.
Shrine Timings
6.00 a.m. to 12.00 and from 4.00 p.m. to 7.30 p.m.
Events Celebrated at This Shrine
The temple is lit with one lakh lamps on Aadi new moon day in July-August. 10-day Purattasi Navarathri for Parasakti in September-October; Brahmmotsavam in Aipasi (October-November) and in Panguni (March-April); Margazhi Tiruvadhirai in December-January; Thai Float festival in January-February; Panguni Uthiram in March-April are the other festivals celebrated in the temple.
