The Karkuvel Kayyanar temple is located near Thiruchendur's famous Murugan temple. The temple is in the Therikudiyiruppu village, near Kayamozhi in Thoothukudi district, Tamil Nadu. This temple is approximately 500 to 1000 years old. The deity here is believed to be very powerful.
Depiction
The primary deity is Karkuvel Kayyanar. He graces with his consorts, Poornam and Porkamalam. The temple also houses other deities, including Udhiramadan, Malayamman, Ivar Raja, Vanniya Raja, Vannichi and Pechiyamman.
Speciality
The temple is surrounded by red desert sand with cashews and palm trees, which add to the beauty of the surroundings. It is located near the Red Sand Desert, the only desert in South India.
There are believed to be no thefts in and around the temple area and the entire village. The villagers celebrate the Kallar Vettu festival of killing a robber in honour of the Gods who protect the land of Therikudiyiruppu.
The Kallar Vettu festival is a significant festival celebrated in the temple on the last three days of the Tamil month of Krithigai (November-December). It commemorates the beheading of a robber, Kallar Vettu. The first two days are dedicated to Kayyanar, a vegetarian deity. As a part of the festival celebrations, folklore music called Villu Pattu (Bow Music) is presented to Kayyanar.
Then, the priests of the fifteen subsidiary deities bring items from the temple fair, which are handed over as three hands full of these gifts to the musicians. Later, a red-coloured coconut is kept over a rope, symbolising Kayyanar, and it is cut. As an offering, the villagers prepare a dish called Pongal (Sweet Pudding) in front of the Kayyanar temple. On the third Day, animals are sacrificed to please the subsidiary Gods of the temple.
Panguni Uthiram (March-April) is also celebrated as a revered festival.
Legend
According to legend, the land was ruled by Athi Veera Rana Soora Pandyan. Kayannar was the minister in the court and very close friends with the king. The area had a Divine mango tree, which would yield fruit only once a year, and the fruit was regarded as Divine nectar. The mango tree was heavily guarded.
A devout widow living in the village used to take baths in the river near the mango tree and draw water for drinking from the river. One night, a ripened water fell into the water, and unknowingly, the widow, following her routine the next day, took the pot home with the mango in it. The king ordered his soldiers to raid all houses and seize the missing mango.
The soldiers, following orders, also went to the widow's house but were stopped by Kayannar, who asked them not to disturb the pious widow. Disregarding his orders, they entered the house and found the Divine mango. The widow was labelled as a thief. She proved her innocence by casting a spell on the village that the Fire God would destroy all evil men.
The widow's curse was fulfilled, and all the evil men except Kayannar, who had supported her, were burnt to ashes.
Kayannar Assumes Form of Karkuvel Tree
Kayannar later went to the forest, assumed the form of the Karkuvel tree, and resided in the tree for many years. One day, a woodcutter went to the forest and cut down the trees. Surprisingly, he found blood dripping from a tree and heard a prophet's voice from the heavens telling him that Kayannar resided in the tree. He asked that Kayannar be worshipped as their Guardian Deity, and he would protect them from all enemies and evil forces. From that day onwards, the village people started to worship Kayannar as their Kaval Deivam (Guardian Deity).
Prayers
People offer prayers at this temple for progress, better life, good health, wealth and abundance. They also pray for marriage and child boons.
Timings
The temple is open from 6.00 am to 12.00 noon. The temple reopens at 5.00 pm and closes at 8.00 pm.
Access
Bus
There are a lot of buses plying from Madurai, Erode and Tirunelveli to Thiruchendur. From Thiruchendur, it is a five-minute walk to the temple.
Train
Thiruchendur has train facilities for all the major cities in Tamil Nadu.
Airport
The nearest airport to the temple is at Madurai.
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