Kuranganilmuttam Arulmigu Valeeswarar Temple

Kuranganilmuttam Arulmigu Valeeswarar Temple is a historic Paadal Petra Sthalam (Thondai Nadu Shrine #6) glorified in the 7th-century Tevaram hymns of Saint Thirugnanasambandar. Located near the Mamandur rock-cut cave monuments in Cheyyar taluk, the temple stands as a rare and sacred sanctuary dedicated to animal devotion and divine salvation.

Spanning across a serene granite complex, the temple features a 3-tiered Gopuram, the sacred Vali Theertham (Kakutstha Theertham), and a central sanctum housing a self-manifested (Swayambhu) Shiva Lingam. The temple's name and sthala puranam commemorate three distinct creatures—Kurangu (Monkey - Kishkindha King Vali), Anil (Squirrel), and Muttam (Crow)—who worshipped Lord Shiva together at this spot to achieve freedom from curses and spiritual liberation.

Kurangu (Monkey), Anil (Squirrel), Muttam (Crow) Worship Legend

According to the Thondaimandala Puranam, during ancient times, three living beings sought redemption from past karmic curses at this holy spot: 1. Kurangu (Monkey): King Vali of Kishkindha, suffering from spiritual restlessness, arrived here, dug a holy bathing pool (Vali Theertham), and offered fresh cow milk over the Swayambhu Lingam every morning to gain divine strength and peace. The Lord thus earned the name Sri Valeeswarar. 2. Anil (Squirrel): A tiny squirrel (Anil) dipped its bushy tail in the sacred waters of the Vali Theertham, carried water droplets to the Lingam, and wiped its tail over the Lingam to bathe the Lord. 3. Muttam (Crow): A celestial crow (Muttam) flew from distant holy rivers carrying fresh bilva leaves in its beak to adorn the Lord's matted locks.

Lord Shiva was deeply moved by the selfless, innocent devotion of these three animals. He manifested before them, absolved them of all curses, and named the sacred sthalam Kurang-Anil-Muttam (Combining Kurangu + Anil + Muttam). Carvings of a monkey, a squirrel, and a crow worshipping a Lingam can be seen on the inner granite pillars to this day.

Saint Thirugnanasambandar's Tevaram Miracle

When Saint Thirugnanasambandar visited Kuranganilmuttam in the 7th Century CE, he composed a 10-verse Tamil Tevaram decad starting with "Bhoomiyinil Malar" (பூமியினில் மலர்). Sambandar praised Lord Shiva who accepted the worship of a monkey, squirrel, and crow, declaring that any human who worships Lord Valeeswarar with pure love shall be spared from lower animal rebirths and attain eternal Moksha.

Kuranganilmuttam is enshrined in the 1st Thirumurai of the Shaivite Tevaram canon composed by Saint Thirugnanasambandar.

> Tevaram Verse (Sambandar - 1st Thirumurai, Decad 31, Verse 1): > "பூமியினில் மலர் சண்பகம் மாதவி > பாமலி வண்டு முரலும் பொழில் சூழ் > காமரு குரங்கணில் முட்டத்துப் பிஞ்ஞகனைத் > தாம்பல பாடி ஆடத் தவிர்ந்திடும் பாவங்களே."

Translation: "In the lush groves of Kuranganilmuttam where bees hum around blooming champaka and jasmine flowers, those who sing and dance in praise of Lord Shiva shall have all their sins extinguished."

The miracle is also documented in Sekkizhar's 12th-century Periya Puranam.

• Pallava & Chola Inscriptions (8th–12th Century CE): Inscriptions carved on the sanctum base record endowments by Pallava King Nandivarman II (731–796 CE) and Chola Emperor Rajaraja Chola I (985–1014 CE) for supplying pure oil for perpetual lamps (Nanda Deepam).
• Nearby Mamandur Cave Connection: Located 1 km away are the 7th-century rock-cut cave temples built by Pallava King Mahendravarman I, containing early Grantha and Tamil inscriptions.

• Sculpted Animal Reliefs: Rare 8th-century granite bas-relief carvings on the inner prakaram pillars depicting a monkey pouring milk, a squirrel dropping water, and a crow dropping bilva leaves over a Shiva Lingam.
• Vali Theertham Hydro-Geometry: A square stone step-well fed by subterranean spring channels linked to the Cheyyar riverbed.

• Animal Compassion Pooja: Special bilva archana performed on Sundays for the welfare of animals and relief from planetary doshas.
• Pradosham Abhishekam: Holy milk, curd, honey, and sandalwood Abhishekam performed to Lord Valeeswarar during evening Pradosham.

• Best Months: October to March (pleasant climate for temple exploration).
• Major Festivals:
• Maha Shivaratri (February–March)
• Margazhi Arudra Darshan (December–January)
• Panguni Uthiram (March–April)

• Tevaram 1st Thirumurai by Saint Thirugnanasambandar.
• Periya Puranam by Sekkizhar (Thirugnanasambanda Nayanar Puranam).
• Pallava Architecture by A.H. Longhurst (ASI Memoir No. 17).