Kurumanakudi is located in the newly formed Sirkali Taluk of Mayiladuthurai or Mayavaram District. Sri Kannayiram Udayar Temple is also known as Sri Kannar Kovil. It is one of the 276 Thevara Paadal Petra Sthalam located to the North of River Cauvery. It is noteworthy to mention here that Saints Manikavasagar, Sekkizhar and Vadalur Ramalinga Swamy had come here to have a Darshan of Shiva. This is an East facing Temple with a Gopuram consisting of different stucco Idols of Vinayagar, Valli Devasena Samedha Murugan. There is a West facing Dwajasthambam or Kodi Maram beneath which is an Idol of Kodimarathu Vinayagar or Dwajasthamba Vinayagar. Beyond this is a Neivedhya Peedam or Bali Peedam and a Nandhi Vaahanam looking towards the Moolasthanam. These are all seen within a multi pillared Mandapam leading towards the Moolasthanam. 

On either side leading to the Moolasthanam are the Sub Shrines of Sri Kudavarai Vinayagar and Sri Bala Dhandayudhapani. In the East facing Sanctum Sanctorum the Presiding Deity of Sri Kannayiram Udayar is seen in the form of a Swayambhu Shiva Lingam. What fascinates the Devotees is that the Presiding Deity seen in the form of a Shiva Lingam has 1000 Eye like holes all over. Around the Koshtam of the Moolavar are the Idols of Sri Narthana Vinayagar, Sri Dhakshinamoorthy, Sri Lingothbhavar, Sri Brahmma, Sri Durgai and Sri Chandikeshwarar. The Consort or Ambal is known here in several names such as Sri Muruguvalar Kothai Nayagi or Sri Kodiyammai or Sri Suguntha Kundalambikai. She is seen in a standing posture in Her seperate Shrine which is South facing. The ceiling before the Ambal's Shrine has the 12 Zodiac Signs or Raasi. It is believed that those Devotees who stand beneath the Zodiac sign or Raasi and Pray would derive all benefits. Next to the Ambal's Shrine is the Temple's Palliyarai.

There is a Sub Shrine for Sri Natarajar along with Sivagami Ambal. The Urchavamoorthy Idols along with those of Pradosha Nayagar, Asthra Devar, Somaskandar, Vinayagar and Sri Valli Devasena Samedha Subramaniyar are seen together in a Sub Shrine. There are Sub Shrines for Siddhi Vinayagar, Kanni Vinayagar, Valli Devasena Samedha Subramaniyar, Naalvar, Gajalakshmi, Saneeswarar, Bhairavar, Suryan and Chandran. The Sthala Viruksham of this Temple is Sarakondrai Maram and the Pushkarani or Sacred Tank is known as Indra Theertham. There is a general belief that Devotees who have eye ailments would be cured of it if they come and Pray here. 

The History behind the Temple is as important as the Temple itself. In ancient times it is believed that Indran was fascinated by the pulchritude and comeliness of Agalikai who was the wife of Sage Gowthama. Hence in the absence of Sage Gowthama, Indran disguised Himself as the Sage and went to Akalikai and started showing His Love and took over her stealthily for a short time. During this period Sage Gowthama appeared there and grew furious over the behaviour of Indran and his own wife Akalikai. He cursed Agalikai and changed her into a stone and then cursed Indran to become a wild cat with 1000 female organs dangling all over his body. Not knowing what to do Agalika fell at the feet of Sage Gowthama and Prayed before him to take back his curse. Sage Gowthama later relented and told Agalikai that she could turn to a human form only when Sri Rama's Divine Feet touches her and this is known as Agalikai Saabam and Saaba Vimochanam. Meanwhile Indran who had turned into a cat dangling with 1000 female organs all over could not go anywhere and hence fell at the feet of Brahmma to tell him some relief. To this Brahmma told Indran to visit Kurumanakudi and seek the Blessings of Sri Kannayiram Udayar so that he could regain the form of Indran. Following this advice of Brahmma Indran came to Kurumanakudi and repeatedly sought the Blessings of Sri Kannayiram Udayar. He also dug a Pushkarani single handedly and had a Holy Dip in it before Praying to Sri Kannayiram Udayar. Pleased with the action of Indran Sri Kannayiram Udayar mellowed and gave back Indran his original form and made him happy. Even today when a Devotee closely observes the Shiva Lingam in the Moolasthanam He / She could see 1000 Eyelets all over the Shiva Lingam. Vinayagar Chathurthi, Aippasi Annabishegam, Arudhra Dharisanam, Masi Magam, Pradhosham, Navarathri, Maha Shivarathiri are some of the festivals are celebrated in a grand manner.

Contact Details: 94422 58085 and Kaliyamoorthy 92441 58673

Temple Timing: 6 AM to 6 PM

Distance from Sirkazhi or Sirkali to Kurumanakudi is 12 Kms

Distance from Mayiladuthurai or Mayavaram to Kurumanakudi is 15 Kms

Distance from Vaitheeswarankovil to Kurumanakudi is 5 Kms

Distance from Chidambaram to Kurumanakudi is 35 Kms

Distance from Cuddalore to Kurumanakudi is 78 Kms

Distance from Thirukadaiyur to Kurumanakudi is 19 Kms

Distance from Thiruvengadu to Kurumanakudi is 13 Kms

Distance from Konerirajapuram to Kurumanakudi is 42 Kms

Distance from Thiruppungur to Kurumanakudi is 9 Kms

Distance from Manalmedu to Kurumanakudi is 19 Kms

Distance from Kattumannarkoil to Kurumanakudi is 51 Kms

Distance from Gangaikonda Cholapuram to Kurumanakudi is 67 Kms

Distance from Kuruvalapparkoil to Kurumanakudi is 69 Kms

Distance from Kumbakonam to Kurumanakudi is 50 Kms

Distance from Thirubhuvanam to Kurumanakudi is 43 Kms

Distance from Thiruvidaimaruthur to Kurumanakudi is 41 Kms

Distance from Thirunageswaram to Kurumanakudi is 48 Kms

Distance from Karaikal to Kurumanakudi is 40 Kms

Distance from Nannilam to Kurumanakudi is 46 Kms

Distance from Srivanchiyam or Srivanjiyam to Kurumanakudi is 51 Kms

Distance from Papanasam to Kurumanakudi is 65 Kms

Distance from Kudavasal to Kurumanakudi is 63 Kms

Distance from Virudhachalam to Kurumanakudi is 76 Kms

Distance from Thiruvarur or Tiruvarur to Kurumanakudi is 55 Kms

Distance from Koothanallur to Kurumanakudi is 72 Kms

Distance from Thiruvaiyuaru to Kurumanakudi is 83 Kms

Distance from Thanjavur to Kurumanakudi is 91 Kms

Distance from Orathanadu to Kurumanakudi is 107 Kms

Distance from Thilatharpanapuri or Seethalapathy to Kurumanakudi is 38 Kms

Distance from Koothanur to Kurumanakudi is 36 Kms

Distance from Thirumeeyachur to Kurumanakudi is 33 Kms

Distance from Thiruthuraipoondi to Kurumanakudi is 83 Kms

Distance from Chennai to Kurumanakudi is 269 Kms

Nearest Railway Station is Sirkazhi or Sirkali R.S.

For any Suggestions in the Website: T.Ragavachari 98411 40126