The temple is situated on the Vinnetriparai also known as Neduvel Kundram as per the silapathiharam (from where Kannagi was taken by Kovalan through flower chariot to the Vinnulagam), is about 4380 Meters above MSL
The presiding Deity : Sri Kannagi
Some of the salient features of this temple are….
The temple complex consists of Durgai Amman / Bhagavathy Amman temple ( built in Kerala style ) facing east with a Vinayagar Shrine, An old platform / foundation / adhistanam of the temple where a damaged statue in which left leg is folded and right leg is touching the ground. The right leg has the ornament- Silambu ( it is believed that this was the old statue of Kannagi ), Kannagi shrine facing South in which Utsavar is kept and poojas are done and the Shiva Temple, which is also facing East. All the temples and mandapas are in dilapidated condition. Shiva temple is the biggest one in the complex. The entrance to the complex is through a Rajagopuram base, which is on the North side, facing Madurai.
ARCHITECTURE
The Shiva temple is on a kapota bandha upanam. Bas-reliefs of Cow milching on a Shiva Lingam, Birds and creeper designs, Dwarfs, etc are in the upanam kanda portions. The outer wall had fallen down. The super structure / Vimanam is missing only the centre portion is visible like heap of stones and bricks.
The Rajagopuram was built on upanam and pada bandha adhistanam with three patta kumudam. The structure above the adhistanam is missing.
The Compound wall was found around the complex and Kannagi’s Sannidhi is at the ecntre.
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
It is believed that the original temple belongs to Chera King Cheran Senkuttuvan and the Kannagi idol was made out of stone brought from Himalayan Hills. Chozhas and Pandyas rebuilt the temple with stones. Based on the inscription stones found in the temple on various places, it is presumed that the temple was reconstructed once again. Now the temple is in dilapidated condition, couldn’t rebuilt due to various reasons like, forced occupation by the Kerala Government from Tamil Nadu Government, not willing of reconstruct the temple by both the Governments, formation of approach roads, etc,.
There are 8 inscriptions recorded from this temple under ARN 277 and 284, in addition to this a Pandya period inscription was also recorded from North east corner of the Compound wall, in 2017. Out of nine inscriptions 7 belongs to Pandyas and 2 belongs to Chozhas. Outside this temple, Samandipuram and Gudalur Azhagar temple inscriptions mentions this temple.
Rajaraja Chozha and Kulasekara Pandya’s inscriptions records Kannagi’s name as Sri Poorani.
The Kulasekara Pandya’s ( 1268 – 1308 CE ) 29th reign year inscription on the inner side stone of North side entrance, records the hill as Pooranagiri and Deity’s name as “Pooranagiri Nachiar”.
From Kambam to Angur Palayam road, the place called Samundipuram, the Padipurakottam of Mangaladevi was existed. The same is called as Chamundeeswari. A 13th century Pandya period inscription ( not in readable condition ) is available in this temple. The temple tank is called as Udaiya Nachi kulam. This Kulam / Tanks is on the Peru vazhi ( Ancient route ). Fearing the wild animals, the people worships Mangala Devi at this place.
The 1658 CE Chera King Kulasekara Nayanar’s period inscription at Gudalur Azhagar Temple, records the lands gifted to the 6 temples for Poojas. In that, one temple Deity name is mentioned as “Mangala Devi”. This inscription mentions the periphery limits of lands. The lands gifted are, 15 kalam from to Mangala Devi Amman’s Pooja, Azhagar temple 60 Kalam, Vanmiga nathar 10 kalam, Periyathu Sastha temple 15 kalam, for Brahmana’s bhojanam / food for Brahmins 5 kalam, Ettuma nallur 50, for 6 m,nemples Brahmana Bhojanam 200 kalam.
Note: The inscription mentions the year and date as 1658 CE, August 9th ( Ref Madras Epigraphical Reports 288, 1928-1929 ). The already found inscriptions refers deity as Pooranu, Aludaya nachiar, Udaiya Nachiar, Mangala Devi. But the new incomplete inscription found out in the temple, is an important one. The Gudalur, land donation inscription mentions the deity name as Aludaiya Nachiar.
For the inscriptions the Deity name found as Poorani, Aludaiya Nachiar, Udaiya Nachiar and Mangala Devi. None of the inscriptions mentions directly as Kannagi is to be noted.
LEGENDS
The story of Kannagi Kottam
As per the sangam literature Silapathiharam written by Ilango Adigal, Kannagi who was the daughter of Masathuvan, a merchant and Kovalam, who also belongs to a Merchant Chettiar Group, got married and lived together till, Kovalam found Madhavi a dancer. After losing all his wealth came back to Kannagi and wanted to do business again, somewhere. They came to Madurai to sell one of her anglet, where Kovalan was branded as a thief of stealing Queen’s anglet and killed. Knowing this Kannagi came to Pandya Kings’s Court with anger and proved that her husband was not a thief and cursed Madurai to destroy due to fire. With anger not subsided and dismay, Kannagi walked along the Vaigai river and reached the VinneRRi parai also known as Neduvel Kundram. Kovalan came in a pusbha Vimana, tied the mangal sutra again and took her back. Hence Kannagui is called as Mangala Devi.
This incident was narrated to Chera King Cheran Senguttuvan, by the Kundra Kuravas. Seethalai Sathanar also told that, he had seen the same. Cheran Senguttuvan and his Queen decided to build a temple for Kannagi on the place where She went to Vinnulagam. He also brought the Stone for Kannagi idol from Himalayas after conquering the north Indian Kings and built this Kannagi Kottam.
Kannagi Kottam identification..
It was proved that the Sangam Literature Silapathikaram, written by Ilango Adigal, is a real story of Kanngi, by Prof Dr Govindarajan. He travelled from Poompuhar to this place, as described in the Silapathikaram Literature. He started his journey in 1945, through the foot paths of Kannagi and Kovalan and reached this Hill where the Kannagi Kottam was constructed on 17th November 1963. For his life time achievement, he was conferred with Tholkappiyar award, by the then Indian President Pranab Mukherjee in 2012.
Based on the temple construction, Pandya and Chozha period Tamil and Vattezhu inscriptions available and the damaged Kannagi Idol, it was concluded that this place is the Kannaki Kottam mentioned in the Silapathikaram. The idol was in three pieces and he took the head and compared the rock available on the hill and the idol rock. As per the analysis result the idol rock was not belongs to this hill, but, belongs to the Himalayan Hill region. It was told that the head of Kannagi idol was handed over to the then chief Minister M Karunanidhi, and after that the where about is not known. It was told that the centre part also missing in a court.
The Conflict of the Temple’s location
As per the East India Company’s 1817 CE survey, this place was in Tamil Nadu’s territory. Latter the Surveys conducted in 1893, 1896 and the 1913 & 1915 boundary limits of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The 1976 survey conducted jointly by the Tamil Nadu and Kerala Governments officials also confirmed the same. In the meeting it was agreed that the temple was about 40 feet from Territory limit in side Tamil Nadu. In 1976 the Mangala Devi Kannagi Kottam trust was formed at Gudalur to rebuilt the Temple. Tamil Nadu Government agreed to lay a road inside the Tamil Nadu Territory and fund was also allocated. In the meantime Kerala Government had laid a road from Thekkadi and claims Kannagi kottam is in its territory. The sad part of this episode is the Tamil Nadu Government, had not taken any steps for solving this issue nor raised any objections.
HOW TO REACH
This temple on the hill is situated on the border of Tamil Nadu and Kerala, may be approached from Thekkadi / Kumily and Kambam. Those who are desirous of going by trekking from Tamil Nadu, can go through Kambam – Gudalur – Lower camp – Paliyankudi by vehicle, and then by trekking to VinneRRiparai, about 10 KM, this route will be tough.
Alternatively Before Paliyankudi- can reach Nayakar Thozhuvu – Kannagipuram, from here the trekking distance will be 3.5 KM.
10 KM from Gudalur Paliyankudi and about 17 KM from Kumily / Thekkadi. People will also trek from Kumily / Thekkadi also. Jeeps are available from Kumily Bus stand (has to wait in the looooong Q from morning 04.00 Hrs.)
Blog Written By: V. A. Veluswamy.
