Basic information about the temple
| Moolavar: | Kailasanathar | Ambal / Thayar: | Sivakami |
| Deity: | Siva | Historical name: | |
| Vriksham: | Iluppai | Teertham: | Tamirabarani river |
| Agamam: | Age (years): | ||
| Timing: | 6 to 10 & 5 to 8 | Parikaram: | |
| Temple group: | – | ||
| Sung by: | Temple set: | ||
| Navagraham: | Nakshatram: | ||
| City / town: | Srivaikundam | District: | Tirunelveli |
| Maps from (click): | Current location | Tirunelveli (31 km) | Thoothukudi (40 km) |
| Nagercoil (90 km) | Nagercoil (90 km) |
Location
Sthala puranam and temple information
This is the sixth of the Nava Kailasam temples located on the banks of the Tambraparani river, and is dedicated to Sani. The temple was consecrated by Sage Romaharshana and is on the banks of the river Tambraparani. Read the story of the Nava Kailasam temples, here.
Bhootanathar, a guardian deity and manifestation of Sastha, has a wooden murti at this temple, and is important with respect to the temple. He is accorded first priority during the temple’s annual Brahmotsavam festival in the Tamil month of Chithirai (April-May).
It is believed that in earlier times, the temple staff would hand over the keys to the temple, to Bhootanathar, at the end of the day. Even today, it is believed that Bhootanathar protects the temple at night.
This being a Sani sthalam, has a separate shrine for Saneeswaran. Given that this is a Sani sthalam, it is regarded that worshipping Siva here is equivalent to worshipping at the Darbaranyeswarar temple at Tirunallaru near Karaikal (also a Sani sthalam). This is therefore a place to worship in order to mitigate the ill-effects of Sani and Sani dosham.
The temple was originally built by Chandrakula Pandya, a Pandya king, in the 13th century or thereabouts. It has seen subsequent renovations by the Vijayanagara Dynasty and also the Nayaks as recently as the 16th century. Several sculptures in the temple are classic Nayak architecture.
The dhwajasthambam (flag staff) of this temple is believed to have been brought from the Devi Bhagavati Amman temple in Kanyakumari. Unusually, Sivakami Amman’s shrine faces west at this otherwise east-facing temple, indicating that this may be regarded as a Guru-sthalam (in the sense that Siva is in the position of Guru or teacher, to Parvati). Natarajar here is called Chandana Sabhapati, as He is worshipped by anointing sandal paste.
As with most temples in the region, this temple too features a flat (mottai) gopuram. However, despite its modest front façade, the architecture inside this temple is spellbinding, and is a clear demonstration of both Pandya and Nayak styles.
Other information for your visit
Srivaikundam is the birthplace of the poet saint Kumaraguruparar, a staunch Murugan devotee, who is said to have regained his speech at Tiruchendur, due to the grace of Murugan.
Srivaikundam is also home to one of the Nava Tirupati temples – Vaikuntanatha Perumal at Srivaikundam, located very close to this temple.
Contact
Phone: 04630-256492; 98437 96544
Gallery
TN Temples Project 