Kurungaleeswarar Temple, also known as Kusalavapureeswarar Temple, is located in Koyambedu, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.The temple is renowned for Pitru Dosha Nivaranam (ancestral curse removal).
The presiding deity is Lord Shiva in the form of a Shivalinga, worshipped as Kurungaleeswarar or Kusalavapureeswarar. His consort is Goddess Dharmasamvardhini, also known as Aram Valartha Nayagi, symbolising righteousness and prosperity. The temple also has shrines for Lord Ganesha, Lord Murugan, Dakshinamurthy, and other deities. The sacred tree (Sthala Vriksham) of the temple is the jackfruit tree (Palaa Maram).
The temple displays a blend of Chola and Vijayanagara architecture. The sanctum of Lord Shiva is north-facing, which is very rare. The shrine of Goddess Dharmasamvardhini is placed on the right side of the sanctum instead of the usual left. A 16-pillared hall (mandapam) with carvings is present inside the temple, including an image of Sarabeswarar. The temple pond adds beauty and spiritual significance.
The temple is several centuries old. Inscriptions inside the temple trace its origin to the Chola period, particularly the reign of Kulothunga Chola III. Later, the Vijayanagara rulers also contributed to its development and maintenance, which was once surrounded by forests.
The temple is closely connected to the Ramayana. After Sita was abandoned and taken to Sage Valmiki’s ashram, she gave birth to twins Lava and Kusha. They grew up here in a forested region then known as Kusa-Lava Puri.
When Lord Rama conducted the Ashwamedha Yagna, his sacrificial horse entered this region. Lava and Kusha captured the horse, not knowing Rama was their father. When Rama’s brothers came to retrieve the horse, the twins fought bravely and defeated them. Even Lord Rama himself was struck down during the battle.
At this point, Sage Valmiki revealed the truth—that Rama was their father and Sita their mother. Overcome with guilt for fighting against their own family, Lava and Kusha prayed to Lord Shiva at this very spot. Lord Shiva blessed them and relieved them of their sins. From then on, Shiva here became known as Kusalavapureeswarar, meaning “the Lord worshipped by Kusa and Lava.”
Kurungaleeswarar Temple is most famous for Pitru Dosha Nivaranam. Just as Lava and Kusha prayed here to be freed from the sin of fighting their father, devotees believe that worshipping Lord Shiva here and performing rituals in the temple pond helps in removing ancestral curses (Pitru Dosha).
On Mahalaya Amavasya (the new moon day of Pitru Paksha), large numbers of devotees gather at the temple and its sacred tank to perform Pitru Tarpana for their forefathers. It is strongly believed that the blessings of the departed reach their descendants quickly when rituals are performed here. For this reason, the temple is considered a powerful place for giving peace to ancestors and receiving their blessings.
Kurungaleeswarar Temple celebrates all major Shiva and Goddess festivals. Pradosham, observed twice a month, is considered very auspicious, while Maha Shivaratri is celebrated with night-long prayers and rituals. Navaratri is celebrated for Goddess Dharmasamvardhini, and festivals like Aadi Pooram and Thai Poosam are also observed. The temple’s annual Brahmotsavam attracts devotees for the car procession, and Mahalaya Amavasya is particularly significant for performing Pitru Tarpana in the temple pond.
