Kunnakudi Shanmughanathar Temple, also known as Kunnakudi Murugan Temple, is dedicated to Lord Murugan and located in Kundrakudi village near Karaikudi in Tamil Nadu's Sivaganga district. The temple, built in the classic Hindu architectural style, sits atop a hill along the Tirupattur-Karaikudi road. Nearby, three ancient caves hold rock-cut shrines from the 8th-century Pandyan Empire, showcasing South India's earliest Dvarapala sculptures, which serve as temple guardians.
The temple features a grand five-tiered gopuram leading to a pillared hall and sanctum, with Murugan flanked by his consorts, Valli and Deivanai, both seated on peacocks. The temple stands on a 40-meter hill and covers 6.5 acres. Shrines dedicated to other deities surround the main sanctum. The three rock-cut caves at the hill's western side contain detailed carvings of Shiva and other deities, with two intricately decorated and the third plain.
Four daily rituals and numerous yearly festivals are observed at the temple, with Panguni Uthiram in March-April and Thaipoosam in January-February being particularly celebrated. Devotees perform poojas and offer traditional worship items like pepper and salt at the Saravana Poigai tank. This temple is also revered in Thirupugazh, a 15th-century anthology on Murugan by Arunagirinathar, and attracts many devotees for blessings and healing.
The Sivaganga district administration recognizes Kunnakudi Shanmughanathar Temple as a prominent tourist attraction. Managed by the Kunnakudi Thiruvannamalai Mutt Adikam since the 16th century, the temple is open for rituals from 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The rock-cut caves are maintained as a protected monument by the Archaeological Survey of India, preserving their historical and architectural significance.