Nava Kailasam Temples
Sage Romasa was looking for places to install sivalinga on the banks of Tambiraparani. His Guru Agasthya told the disciple to throw flowers used for Shiva Puja on the river, and install where the flowers reached the banks. Romasa threw as advised, nine of the lotus reached the bank at various places. The first flower banked at Papanasam. The Second flower at Cheranmahadevi, third at Kodakanallur, fourth at Kunnathur (Sankaani), the next flower at Murappanadu, sixth at Sri Vaikundam, seventh flower at Then Thirupperai, eighth flower at Raajapathi and the last one ninth at Poomangalam. Romasa Maharishi built temples on those places and worshipped and in due course attained mukthi.
The speciality of these temples is each is considered as an abode of one of the Navagrahams. So pilgrimage to all the nine temples will benefit the people of worshipping at Navagraha Temples.
Papanasanathar temple
Timings : 6.30 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. and 6.30 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Phone : 91- 4634 - 223 268.
Indira, the king of the Devas had Dwashta, son of Sukracharya (Venus planet- the Guru of the demons) as his Guru. Indira was always suspicious of him in view of his Asura origin and hence one day killed him and incurred Brahmmahati dosha. In order to get relieved from his dosha he went to Shiva Kshetras worshipping the Lord. Guru, planet Jupiter (Brihaspathi) advised him worship the Lord Shiva in this place. As a wonder, Even as Indira entered the borders of this place, he was relieved from his sin. Hence, the place came to be known as Papanasam – meaning Sin destruction and the Lord as Papanasanathar.
Sage Romasa was looking for places to install sivalinga on the banks of Tambiraparani. His Guru Agasthya told the disciple to throw flowers used for Shiva Puja on the river, and install where the flowers reached the banks. Romasa threw as advised, nine of the lotus reached the bank at various places and Papanasam was the first. Planets being nine, the places were named as Navakailasam each attributed to one planet. Sun being the first planet, Papanasam is known as Surya Kailasam
Lord PapanasaNathar graces as Rudraksha in the sanctum sanctorum. He is also under the Mukkila tree in the corridor-prakara. It is believed that the three Vedas – Rig, Yajur and Sama – were the Kila trees offering shadow to the Lord and Atharvana Veda the space and worshipped in these forms. Hence, the Lord is known as Mukkila Lingam.
River Tambiraparani, springing from Pothigai Hills reach the plains only at Papanasam. During the Uchikala Puaja (pujas during the mid day), food (nivedhana) is offered to the fishes in Tambiraparani. Lord Shiva granted darshan to sages Vyakrapatha and Patanjali here standing between the horns of Nandhi on a Thaipoosam day. In view of this, special pujas are performed to Nandhi each year on this day with sandal paste.
There is a pounding stone in front of the shrine of Mother Ulgammai. Women use to pound turmeric for making the turmeric water for abishekam to the Mother. A little of this is consumed with the hope of Marriage and to be blessed with children. It is also believed that the consumption of this water increases the longevity of their Mangal Sutras.
Ammainathar Temple, Cheranmahadevi
Timings : 7.00 a.m to 9.00 a.m. 5.00 p.m. to 6.30 p.m.
Phone : 94422 26511
In this Maada koil style temple Swayambu Lingam known as Ammai nathar, (Kailasanathar) and his consort Avudai Nayaki or Oppilla Nayagi Amman (beyond compare in all virtues). The Teertham (Holy water) is River Thamirabarani and the place is Thingal Sthalam (Moon).
There are many deities like Vinayakar, Subramanyar, Viswanadhar, Natarajar, Nalwar, Karikal ammaiar, Nava kanniar and Navagraham are seen. It is believed that Romesa Munivar installed the second lingam at this place and had the divine darshan of Lord Siva here and was blessed to attain mukthi
Nandanar was born in a dalit family and since the people from his community were not allowed inside the temple, he used to worship standing outside the temple. When he came to Cheranmahadevi to pray at Ammainathar temple from outside, Shiva ordered Nandi to move away so that his devotee could get direct darshan of him. Hence you find the Nandi off the centre. .
Two ladies who were labourers and used to offer rice daily to Shiva Lingam in this site, were sad that the Lord did not have a roof. They were made very rich by Lord Shiva who inturn used the wealth to build the temple. The temple was reconstructed by Kulothunga Chola I during the late years. .The recently renovated five-tier tower is east facing and has no stuco strucutres. The main shrine has a bigger Shiva Linga. He is called as Lord Ammainathar or Kailasanathar. Ganesha is near entrance of ardha mandap. Though there was no Navagraha, A shrine has since been constructed.
The bali peetha, Nandi mandapa and flag staff are all located in the many pillared hall connecting the main shrine and the tower. In this temple the dwajasthmbam with the bas relief of Nandanar is positioned between Nandi and the main shrine.
This temple is believed to resolve domestic Issues, Grant and Wishes and check any Doshas. The Goddess Aavudai Nayaki which is big in size is found in a separate shrine on the right side of the main shrine with the Nandi facing her
Dakshinamurti is in the inner Prakaram. And so are Ganesha, Subramanya-Valli-Devasena and Chandikeshwarar, Saptamatar, Jwara Deva, Nalvar, Vishnu, Gaja Lakshmi, Suryan, Chandran and Adhikara Nandi.
In the vegetation loaded outer prakaram we find the sannidhis of Bhairava and Shasta which is full of trees and plants.
Sri Kailasanathar temple, Kodungallur
Temple timings : 7.00 a.m. to 12.00 noon 4.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m.
Phone : 99659 23124
When sage amosa threw lotus flower , third flower reached the bank at Kodaganallur, This temple is dedicated to the planet, Chevvai (Mars).
The small temple built in the 12th century has been renovated many times. There is no other deities except Swami and Ambal. The Moolavar is amazingly so big such that 8 dhothies measuring 8 muzham (yards) each is needed to cover the deity.
The main shrine of Sri Kailasanathar is faces the east while Goddess Sivakami is in a north-facing shrine. Dwarabalakas are absent. The idols of Ganesha and Kartikeya are found in the entrance of the main shrine.
Gotha Parameswarar temple, Kunnathur
Temple timings : 6.00 a.m. - 11.00 a.m. 5.00 p.m. - 8.00 p.m.
Phone : 94420 18567
Kotha Parameswarar Temple is located at Kunnathur Village around 2 km from Tirunelveli Railway Station.
Located on a hill, Lord Shiva is worshipped here as Kothai Parameswaran. His consort is Goddess Sivakamasundari. This is the fourth among the nine Nava Kailasam temples. There is a unique Shivalingam in this temle with Snake carvings on it
When sage amosa threw lotus flower, Fourth flower reached the bank at Kunnathur, This temple is dedicated to the planet, Ragu
Murappanadu, Sri Kailasanathar temple
Timings : 7 a.m. to 12 noon 4.30 p.m. to 7.30 a.m.
Phone : 98424 04554.
Murappanadu Kailasanathar temple, around 17 kms from Tirunelveli, dedicated to Lord Shiva,is associated with Guru (Jupiter or Brihaspati), among the Navgrahas. The shrine is around 17 km from Tirunelveli Town. Here Thamiraparani River flows from north to south.
Being the fifth among the nine Nava Kailasam temples, it is also known as Nadu or Middle Kailasam Temple.
Once there was a king who had a daughter with the face of a horse. When he sought relief from Lord Shiva who appeared in his dreams and asked him to take a holy dip in Thamiraparani River at Murappanadu and offer prayers to the Lord there.
When the Kind did as told, the princess got back the human face. It is believed that Shiva asked Nandi to take the face of a horse to cure the princess. Hence the Nandi has the face of a horse in the temple. The king then built a temple.
Lord Shiva is here as Kailasanathar and. Mother Goddess Shakti as Sivakamiammal with other deities Vinayaga, Murugan, Guru, Navagrahas, Nataraja and other forms of Shiva and Shakti.
Srivaikuntam, Sri Kailasanathar temple
Timings : 6 a.m. – 12 noon 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Phone : +91- 4630 - 256 492.
The Kailasanathar Temple is Srivaikuntam, 30 kms from Tirunelveli, the sixth temple among the Navakailasams, is dedicated to Lord Shiva and associated with Lord Sani . It is located 30 km from Tirunelveli. Constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture, It has three precincts. The temple comes under the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu. It is the place where the sixth lower reached the banks of the river.
Originally believed to be built by the Madurai Pandya king, Chandrakula Pandya, who built the central shrine and vimana of the temple, . With a granite wall surrounding the temple, The temple has a flat gateway tower with a pyramidal entrance tower. During 16th Century the Nayak kings constructed the pillared halls and the major shrines with artistic sculptures of their style. Lord Kailasanathar in Lingam form is in the sanctum while the shrine of Sivakami is housed in a west facing shrine. There are images of Vinayaka, Subramanya, Veerabhadra, Rishabandika, and Nataraja on the walls. The sculptures of Veerabadra and a warrior in the flagstaff hall are unique. Lord Nataraja (Santana Sthabathi) is seen in the hall with Yali Pillars near west facing shrine adjacent to the flagstaff. One of the major shrines is that of Bhoothanathar, Image made of wood, given a major role during the Chittirai Brahmotsavam festival. During earlier days, the temple staff used to deposit the keys of the temple in the custody of Bhoothanathar who it was said protected the temple.
Kailasanathar temple, Thenthiruperai
Timings : 8 a.m. – 10.30 a.m. 5.00 p.m. – 7.00 p.m.
Phone : +91- 93658 89291
This is a famous Hindu Temple dedicated to Navagraha - Sri Budhan (Planet Mercury).
The 7th Nava Kailayam Temple dedicated to the Budhan (Mercury) and is called as Budhan Sthalam.
In the Navagraha sannadhi, the devotees can see Suryan, Chandran, Guru and Sukran with Suryan in a chariot drawn by 7 horses, 10 horses for Chandran and 8 horses for Jupiter and Venus. A rare phenomenon as horse is normally seen as the vehicle only for Sun.
In the Goddess sanctum, There is a coconut with 2 horns in it. Lord Kailasanathar is Veda swaroopam him and Kala Bhairavar in this temple with six hands is hence not seen with a dog.
Lord Muruga in this temple is similar to Sri Shanmuganathar of Thiruchendur with Valli and Devasena. In separate santums we see Ganapathi as Sri Vallabai, Sri Sakthi, Sri Kannimoola and Sri Siddhi swaroopams.
The seventh flower docked here and the lord graces in the form of lotus. The base of Linga looks shaped like a lotus flower. To be bestowed with goodwill Budhan, one offers green clothes, green gram and sugar and worship.
There is a coconut with horn in Ambal Shrine in the temple. Once a British Army officer wanted to have a tender coconut. Since there was only one coconut grove and all tender coconuts were for anointing the murtis in Temple, the keeper of the grove denied to give the tender coconut.
The annoyed officer wanted to know about the speciality of the Grove’s coconut an djokingly asked whether it has horns. When he demanded a tender coconut from the grove to be given to him, he found horns sprouting out. The officer realising his mistake, made offerings & sought forgiveness. The coconut with horns can be still seen in the temple.
Sri Kailasanathar temple, Raajapathy
Timings : 6.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. 4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Phone : 91 99420 62825, 98422 63681, 94863 81956
Ketu worshipped Lord Shiva – Kailasanathar here and hence it is a Kethu Parihara Sthalam. Shiva Linga appears disfigured with four wheel on all sides of the Lingam with the belief that a temple lies buried underneath. As per astrology Ragu rules 7 years in a person’s life and people during this period visit and worship the Lord. This sthalam is for good farm yields, health, child boon, cattle, job opportunities and progress in trade and many others. On Pradosha days, puja materials and fruits are offered for the pujas.
Ketu Parihara pujas are between 12.00 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. on Sundays and between 9.00 a.m. to 10.30 a.m. on Tuesdays with Yajnas. Devotees participate for removal of obstacles in wedding proposals, adverse aspects of planets, cure from illnesses etc.
The first puja for the consecration of Rajapathi Kailasanathar temple began on the day when the Raja Gopuram of the Kalahasthi temple was damaged. From then, this place and temple is regarded as Then Kalahasti – Kalahasthi of South. This temple is of equal importance as Keel Perum Pallam temple.
The place is named after the palace of Pandya king belonging to the Chandra dynasty – Raja-King, Pathi-Place. The temple was ruined due to the fury of floods. With the steps taken by Shiva devotees, the new temple was built.
Sri Kailasanathar temple, Serndhapoomangalam
Timings : 7.00 a.m. to 9.30 a.m. 5.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m.
Phone : +91 94883 42861,94870 08953, 96777 72348.
This is the only temple of Kubera where his idol kubera on an elephant with his two consorts – Sanganidhi and Padmanidhi is seen on the Vimana above the sanctum sanctorum Lord Kailasa Nathar graces from the sanctum sanctorum and Mother Azhagia Ponnammai is facing south. There is a belief that worshipping Kubera brings prosperity. People people here for blessings from Shukra.
Tambirabarani River flows from the Pothigai hills and confluences with Punnakayal sea face in this place. On the new moon days in the months of Aadi and Thai – July-August and January-February respectively, special pujas are done to Lord Kailasanathar.
Sage Agasthya’s first disciple, Sage Romasa had a desire to install Shivalingas in this place. As suggested by his Guru Agasthya, when he let nine lotus flowers flow in Tambirabarani, The last and the ninth flower reached this place.
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