Karkuvel Ayyanar Temple is a

Hindu temple A Hindu temple, or ''mandir'' or ''koil'' in Indian languages, is a house, seat and body of divinity for Hindus. It is a structure designed to bring human beings and gods together through worship, sacrifice, and devotion.; Quote: "The Hind ...

in a village named Kuthiraimozhi in Thoothukudi, in the Indian state of

Tamil Nadu Tamil Nadu (; , TN) is a States and union territories of India, state in southern India. It is the List of states and union territories of India by area, tenth largest Indian state by area and the List of states and union territories of India ...

. The temple is 500–1,000 years old. The temple is surrounded by a red sand desert with many

cashew The cashew tree (''Anacardium occidentale'') is a tropical evergreen tree native to South America in the genus ''Anacardium'' that produces the cashew seed and the cashew apple accessory fruit. The tree can grow as tall as , but the dwarf cult ...

and

palm trees Palm most commonly refers to: * Palm of the hand, the central region of the front of the hand * Palm plants, of family Arecaceae **List of Arecaceae genera * Several other plants known as "palm" Palm or Palms may also refer to: Music * Palm (ba ...

. This is the only

desert A desert is a barren area of landscape where little precipitation occurs and, consequently, living conditions are hostile for plant and animal life. The lack of vegetation exposes the unprotected surface of the ground to denudation. About on ...

found in

south India South India, also known as Dakshina Bharata or Peninsular India, consists of the peninsular southern part of India. It encompasses the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana, as well as the union territo ...

Location

This temple is located in Kuthiraimozhi-Theri Kudiyiruppu village, from Kayamozhi which is from

Thiruchendur Tiruchendur is a municipality located in Thoothukudi District, Tamil Nadu, India. It is home to the Arulmigu Subramaniya Swamy Temple, which is one of the Six Abodes of Murugan. Etymology Tiruchendur, a temple town like many towns in the st ...

Deities

It is said that the presiding deity of the Ayyanar has come from a tree known as Karkuva. He is also called Karkuva Ayyan, Karku Velappan, Karukkuvalai Ayyan, and Karkuvel Ayyanar, among other names. He is found with his consorts, goddess Poornam and goddess Porkamalam, in a sitting posture. There are also separate shrines for other deities. Other Gods there include Periyandavar, Udhiramadan, Malayamman, Ivar Raja, Vanniya Raja, Vannichi, Pechiyamman, Ponirulapar, Kallar Sami, SolkelaVeeran Thuppakki Madan, and Sarvasakthi Amman.

Kallar Vettu

The main festival of this temple is Kallar Vettu ('Killing of Robber'). It is celebrated every year on the last five days of Tamil month Karthigai (mid-November to mid-December) and the first day of Tamil month Margazhi (mid-December to mid-January). The sixth day festival is celebrated in a grand manner. On that day during morning taking of milk pot and taking holy water from

Thamirabarani River The Thamirabarani or Tamraparni or Porunai is a perennial river that originates from the Agastyarkoodam peak of Pothigai hills of the Western Ghats, above Papanasam in the Ambasamudram taluk. It flows through Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi distr ...

took place. The holy water placed on the elephant would be brought. Later Mulaippari is taken. By 12.00 noon special pujas are held. On that day, by 4.00 p.m. 'Kallar Vettu' took place. At that time tender cocoanut, considered as Kallar, is broken in the rear side of the temple. The cocoanut water which came from it is considered as holy water. The devotees, took the sand on which the cocoanut water, spray it in their field for bounty yield. Some keep them in their cash box. It is considered as auspicious and would bring them wealth. Due to this God, no theft occurs around this village. Several lakhs of people gather there to celebrate. Villu Pattu (bow song) about the Praise of Karguvel Ayyanar is another attraction.

Kumbhabhishekham

The latest

Kumbhabhishekam ''Kumbhabhishekam'', also known as ''Samprokshanam'' is a Hindu temple ritual that is believed to homogenize, synergize and unite the mystic powers of the deity. It is part of the consecration ceremony of Hindu temples. ''Kumbha'' means the Hea ...

of this temple was held on 1 September 2022.கற்குவேல் அய்யனார் கோவில் கும்பாபிஷேக விழா, தினத்தந்தி 29 ஆகஸ்டு 2022
/ref> From an inscription found in this temple it is learnt that previous Kumbhabhishekam was held on 31 October 2008.

References

External links

Official websiteDinamalar
Regional Hindu gods Hindu temples in Thoothukudi district {{TamilNadu-hindu-temple-stub