Yogeswarar, Putheri, Kanyakumari

Basic information about the temple

Moolavar:	Yogeswarar	Ambal / Thayar:	x
Deity:	Aiyanar/Sastha	Historical name:
Vriksham:		Teertham:
Agamam:		Age (years):
Timing:	6.30 to 7.30 & 6.30 to 8.30	Parikaram:
Temple group:		–
Sung by:		Temple set:
Navagraham:		Nakshatram:
City / town:	Putheri	District:	Kanyakumari
Maps from (click):	Current location	Nagercoil (6 km)	Kanyakumari (23 km)
	Tirunelveli (80 km)	Thoothukudi (128 km)

Location

Sthala puranam and temple information

Many years ago, a yogi came to this place and stayed here. His penance was to sit and perform his worship, without moving. Over time, he attained mukti, and a big anthill started to grow over his samadhi.

Those who had seen the yogi believed that the anthill was an incarnation of Siva, and started worshipping it. They also raised a tall wall to protect the anthill from the elements. On top of the wall, one can see what looks like an image of a yogi lying down.

This anthill continues to be worshipped as a temple of Siva. In addition, there is a separate shrine for Sastha set up within the boundary wall. This Sastha, who is said to have been here for several centuries, and continues to remain under the Poolathi tree here, is the guardian deity of the village.

Each year, on the Friday following Panguni Uthiram in the Tamil month of Panguni (March-April), the walls are painted a lively red, which gradually loses shade over the next one year (the pictures below are from December, meaning the painting is 9 months old). That same evening, a Kann-Thirappu (opening of the eyes) festival is celebrated here.