Kailasanathar, Senthapoomangalam, Thoothukudi

Basic information about the temple

Moolavar:	Kailasanathar	Ambal / Thayar:	Soundara Nayaki
Deity:	Siva	Historical name:
Vriksham:	Vilvam	Teertham:	Tamirabarani river
Agamam:	Karana	Age (years):	1000-2000
Timing:	8 to 9 & 5.30 to 7.30	Parikaram:
Temple group:		–
Sung by:		Temple set: Nava Kailasam
Navagraham:	Sukran	Nakshatram:
City / town:	Senthapoomangalam	District:	Thoothukudi
Maps from (click):	Current location	Thoothukudi (26 km)	Tirunelveli (53 km)
	Kanyakumari (105 km)	Nagercoil (107 km)

Location

Sthala puranam and temple information

This is the ninth and last of the Nava Kailasam temples located on the banks of the Tambraparani river, and is dedicated to Sukran. 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.

The planetary deity Sukran is believed to rule over a person’s life for 20 years. It is believed that during this time, he blesses the person with fame, fortune and wealth. Sukran worshipped Siva at this temple, and so Siva Himself imbibes all the qualities of Sukran, in addition to being the adipathi of all the Navagrahams.

Separate from the moolavar Kailasanathar, the temple also has shrines for Sokkanathar and Meenakshi Amman. Due to this feature, the temple is believed to be over 1000 years old, and built by either Kulasekara Pandyan or Maravarman Sundarapandyan, since they were the first to introduce the concept of separate shrines for Siva (as Sundareswarar) and Meenakshi Amman, as is the case in Madurai. On special occasions, the Siva Lingam here is adorned with a special band and a nagabharanam. Interestingly, Murugan at this temple has a peacock turned to the right (instead of the usual left).

In the vimanam over the garbhagriham, there is a carving of Kubera seated on an elephant, along with his consorts Sanga Nidhi and Padma Nidhi – this is a unique feature of this temple. Worshipping Kuberan here, in addition to worshipping Siva, is said to be beneficial for enhancing one’s financial prosperity.

As is the case with the Rajapathy Kailasanathar temple, while there is a separate Navagraham shrine, all the deities are represented by Siva Lingams, since He is the adipathi of the planetary deities. In addition to this, there is a separate shrine for the Navagrahams in their respective iconographic forms.

There is a separate bathing ghat for this temple, at the Tambraparani river, which is located about half a kilometre from the temple. The river then flows east and meets the sea, where another bathing ghat is located.

Given that this is a Sukra sthalam, it is regarded that worshipping Siva here is equivalent to worshipping at the Agneeswarar temple at Kanjanoor near Kumbakonam (also a Sukra sthalam).