Kailasanathar Temple, Srivaikundam, Thoothukudi – The
Temple
The
image of Kailasanathar in the form of Lingam is housed in the sanctum. The shrine of Sivakami
is housed in a west facing shrine. The shrine also houses the images of Vinayaka, Subramanya, Veerabhadra, Rishabandika, and Nataraja on the walls. There are two sculptures of
Veerabadra and a warrior in the flagstaff hall, which are noteworthy. The
flagstaff in the temple is believed to have been brought from Kanyakumari Amman
Temple.
The west
facing shrine adjacent to the flagstaff has a hall with yali pillars,
where Nataraja is housed. Nataraja is worshipped in the
temple is covered with sandal paste. He is here known as Santana Sabapathi.
The image
of Bhoothanathar is made of wood and the deity is given the primary role during
the Chittirai Brahmotsavam festival. It is believed that during historic times,
the temple staff used to surrender the keys of the temple in front of
Bhoothanathar who used to protect the temple.
The
temple is a typical example of Dravidian architecture with ornate pillars and
sculptures. It is a huge temple with some breathtaking sculpture of deities and
characters from Hindu Puranas.
