Kailasanathar Temple, Srivaikundam, Thoothukudi – Legends
& Religious Significance
As per
legend, sage Urosamar floated a set of flowers in Thamiraparani River and the sixth
flower reached the shore at this place. The sage established a temple for
Kailasanathar. The lingam, the iconic form of Shiva in the temple is believed to
an aspect of Shani, one of the planetary deities.
The
flagstaff of the temple is believed to have been brought from Devi
Kanya Kumari in Kanyakumari. The Nataraja in this temple is called Santhana Sabhabathi
(anointed with sandal). The temple forms a series of Navagraha temples in the
banks of Thamiraparani River where each of the nine planetary deities are
considered to reside in one temple. The temples are classified as Nava
Kailasam and the presiding
deity of all the nine temples is Kailasanathar.
The
temple is associated with the planet Shani (Saturn) and considered sixth in the series of the
nine temples. Kumaraguruparar, a saint of the 18th century and who got his
speech at Thiruchendur Murugan Temple, was born at this place.
