Kunnakudi Murugan Temple

The Shanmughanathar Temple at Kundrakudi, better known as the Kunnakudi Murugan Temple, stands on a 40-metre hill about 14 km from Karaikudi in Sivaganga district, on the road from Tirupattur. The hill is said to resemble a peacock, which gives it names like Mayuragiri and Mayilmalai, and the sage Agastya is believed to have worshipped Murugan here. A five-tiered gopuram, 16.5 metres high, leads to the east-facing sanctum, where Murugan and his consorts Valli and Deivanai are each seated on a peacock.

Three 8th-century Pandya cave shrines to Shiva are cut into the west face of the lower rock, now protected by the Archaeological Survey of India. Two are richly carved, and their dvarapalas, leaning towards the sanctum, are considered the earliest such guardian figures in South India. Panguni Uthiram and Thaipoosam are the major festivals, when devotees carry milk pots and kavadi through the streets, and worshippers offer pepper and salt to the Saravana Poigai tank.