Koorathangudi Yamasamhareshwara Temple Kumbabhishekam

Thanks to the Blessings of the Almighty, the Consecration Ceremony of the renovated Yamasamhareshwara Temple took place on September 11 2011. On the same day another temple in the Village which was also renovated simultaneously was also consecrated

A Video of the ceremony is available on You Tube at    http://youtu.be/awnTgaDml_4 and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDqOQ1e4SQE

Recounted below is a narration on the Historical Significance of the temple:

The account has been compiled by Mrs.Indu Balaji and translated into English by Mr.K.Subramanian.

In the ancient Chola Kingdom, we can say with confidence that there are no towns or villages without any Temples. We can offer prayers even in remote villages having large temples. Each of these famous temples known for having been worshipped either by the King of Kings (DEVADHI DEVAS), or Saints in their ultimate stage of spiritual attainment, or well known AVATARA STHALAMS of the GOD. The STHALA PURANAMS of each of these holy temples take us to a totally different level of devotion instilling absolute Bhakthi. All these places are resplendent with our ancient value systems and Hindu culture and remind us all as to how to codify our way of living in this materialistic world.

Unfortunately, a good number of these holy shrines are in a dilapidated condition. The renovation and resurrection of several these temples have been constructively undertaken by Smt. Mahalakshmi Subramanian with the involvement and backing of the villagers living in different parts of the country and the world. One such holy shrine dedicated to Kunkumavalli Ambal Samedha Yamasamhareswarar is located in the village known as KOORATHANGUDI. 

Greatness of this STHALAM: This shrine is known as Parikara Sthalam for VRISCHIKA Rasi (those born with Visakam-4, Anusham and Kettai Stars) is located 15 Kms south east of the famous Thiruvarur known to give salvation on just thinking of the Lord Thiyagaraja. This shrine is located on the southern banks of the river Pandavaiyaru. Pandavas during their long exile were to live incognito for one year and they created this river Pandavaiyaru as a branch of the river KORAIYARU. They Pandavas are said to have worshipped the Goddess Kunkumavalli and the Lord Yamasamhareswarar and invoked their blessings to start the incognito period of one year. This shrine is where the Lord Shiva enabled Yama (the God of Death) to ward of his sins and attain salvation and regain his erstwhile status. Because of this act, this shrine famously known as KOOTRU ATTRAAN KUDI is now called KOORATHANGUDI. Lord Yama is known to have separate sanctum only in three locations (Thirukkadayur, Srivanjiyam and THIRUPAINGEELI) but the only shrine where Lord Yama got rid of his curse and sins (for having thrown his rope [PASAKKAYIRU]) around the Lord is KOORATHANGUDI. And this is the place where the Goddess is uniquely named as Kunkumavalli. This shrine is said to have been sung by the saint Thirugnanasambandar as Vaippu Sthalam and also reverently mentioned by Saint SEKKIZHAR in his PERIYA PURANAM. Even a visit this place would instill Bhakti in all.

STHALA PURANAM:  The childless saintly couple of MRIGANDU Maharishi and MARUTHUVATHI were blessed by the Lord Shiva with an intelligent and spiritually devoted child whose life period was fixed as 16 years. This child christened as MARKANDEYA was being brought up with tender care, love and devotion to Lord Shiva. He learnt all the Shastras in his young age and when he attained the age of 15 years, his parents were worried that their devoted child has only one more year of life. But MARKENDEYA consoled them stating that the Lord Shiva would take care of him and undertook pilgrimage to worship the LORD in several famous shrines. He lastly reached Thirukkadayur and was praying the God AMRITHAGADESWARAR (also popularly known as KALASAMHARA MOORTHI) when Yama approached him to take him away. As Markandeya was chanting SHIVA PANCHAKSHARAM by embracing the Lord, Yama threw his ROPE around Markandeya. This rope also encircled the Lord; enraged by this unholy act of Yama the Lord KalasamharaMoorthi annihilated Yama. With cessation of death, the load on the earth increased many folds and BHOOMA DEVI (Mother earth) pleaded with the God. The God relented and gave life back to Yama and restored his routine task.

As the Pasakkayiru had encircled the Lord, Yama in order to ward off this unholy act and sin, visited several places, created temples for Lord Shiva and worshipped him to ward off the Sin. The Lord was not satisfied with the devotion of Yama, and so he came to this place, created yet another temple and prayed the Lord with absolute devotion with tears rolling down his eyes.  Moved by the devotion of Yama, the Lord appeared before Yama in his full form (RISHABAROODAR) and blessed Yama whose unholy act and sins were warded off and he got a place in the Heavens. The Lord also ordained as pleaded by Yama that those who visit this Shrine and worship the presiding deity would be rid of the fear of death and would have a place in the Heavens. The Lord, who enabled Yama to get rid of his sins is since then worshipped as Lord Yamasamhareswarar. The Lord blesses all those who worship him with devotion to enable them to be rid of the fear of death and gain all the wealth. This shrine is also verily known as Parikara Sthalam for those born with the Sun Sign Vrischika who would be blessed by the Lord when they pray Him at this village KOORATHANGUDI.

The renovation and reconstruction of this dilapidated holy Shrine was undertaken after seeking divine sanction through PRASNA when one migrant of this village was reminded in his dreams that if the shrine (Family Deity for all the migrants) was restored to its past Glory, Eighty odd erstwhile families of this village would get united again. Accordingly some eight to nine families have already grouped themselves as their ancestors were past residents this village and got re-united. This makes us wonder with excitement about the Ways of the Lord.

Mother Goddess uniquely known as Goddess Kunkumavalli is “AVVYAJA KARUNAMOORTHI” who resides here as SARVANGA SUNDARI instantly moves the worshippers with tears of joy who get immersed in total devotion. The Goddess famously known as UDHIKKINDRA SENGATHIR UCHCHI THILAKAM with Sindhoor as her Hue, Kunkumavalli blesses all with Kunkumam. The unmarried girls who worship Her with absolute devotion are rid of the hurdles in the path to marriage and get the holy Knot tied soon. Those who pray this Goddess for by lighting Sesame oil lamp five consecutive Fridays from wherever they are, are rid of all the worries and sufferings. The mere utterance of the name of the Goddess is enough to invoke Bhakthi in all of us!

The Lord Vinayakar known as ARUMARUNTHU Vinayakar enabled one devotee to recover from an incurable disease, is said to rid people of their mortal sufferings. The Vishnu Durga in this shrine blesses us all with Prayoga Chakra VIPRA SAKTHI.

Lord Subramanya along with his consorts Valli and Devasena dwells here as KALASAMHARA SUBRAMANYA enables all to ward off the fear of death. Thus, like Father, the Son is also known as Kala SamharaMoorthi. The Magnificent Kala Bhairavar of this shrine said to have the powers akin to the KALA BHAIRAVAR of Varanasi and gives one the satisfaction of having worshipped him by visiting Kashi.

One non-resident devotee of this village was shocked to learn that the once resplendent Vishnu Temple was razed down to ground and only the holy waters of this Temple (Teertha Kulam) is there as a reminder of its existence! Another devotee who visited this village 15 years back incidentally found that the Lord Vishnu adorned with Conch and Chakra was being used as a cloth washing stone in the pond adjoining the Shiva Temple housed this Icon in the Shiva temple in the Sanctorum of Goddess Kunkumavalli with the assistance and concurrence of the villagers. As the situation and circumstances did not permit recovery of the temple land to construct a separate temple the villagers decided to construct a separate sanctum for “Lord Srinivasa” (as indicated in the scriptures) and perform the holy consecration simultaneously with the Shiva Temple. Who would have ever thought that the Lord of MAYA who used a hillock as an umbrella to protect his devotees would ever consent to remain as a washing stone!

This incident really moved several villagers who live outside the village due to force of circumstances. The fact that both Lord Yamasamhareswarar and Lord Srinivasa would be together in one temple to bless us all, loudly proclaims to the world that there is nothing to separate and differentiate the two Lords in the name of religion and caste and that Hari and Hara are nothing but one and the same omnipotent Lord.

Anyone setting foot on this Holy Shrine can ward off the fear of death and reap the benefits in the present life and life beyond as the shrine is the abode for Lord Yamasamhareswarar, Goddess Kunkumavalli, Lord Srinivasa, Lord Kalasamhara Subramanya, and Arumarunthu Vinayakar all together in one temple! This is an absolute Truth! They would get relieved of the Farce of material life and attain salvation! It is a must for all to visit this unique shrine and invoke the blessings of all the Gods and Goddesses!

ARULJOTHI ANANDAN, an ardent follower of VADALUR Vallalar Ramalinga Swmigal was instantly inspired with two couplets about this shrine and has penned them in Tamil. The compiler of this Sthala Puranam Smt. Indu Balaji has also coined a song on Goddess Kunkumavalli.

The Holy consecration of this Shrine and Goddess Mahamariamman was completed with grandeur and all glory on Sunday the September 11, 2011. Incidentally on this very day, the USA has taken steps to create ponds at the location of the Twin Towers of New York razed down 10 years ago! Wonderful reminder to humanity of the confluence of thoughts of followers of different FAITHS!