Kailasanathar Temple, Thenthiruperai, Thoothukudi

Kailasanathar Temple, Thenthiruperai, Thoothukudi

Kailasanathar Temple is located in the residential area in Thenthiruperai, in the district of Thoothukudi, in the state of Tamilnadu in Southern India. The primary deity of this temple is Kailasanathar (Lord Shiva). The holy tree of this temple is Vilwa. The Agamam or pooja of this temple is known as Kameeyam. This temple is nearly 500-1000 years old in this region. The historical name of this spot is Thenthiruperai.

This is the 7th Nava Kailasam temple which is dedicated to the God Budha (Planet Mercury). The popular legend of Nandhan is associated with this temple. Among the Nava Kailasam, it lies in the upper Kailasam. In this shrine, Lord Shiva graces as a swayambumurthy for the devotees and pilgrims. Shivarathri is the major festival celebrated in this temple with much fanfare. Special pujas and rituals are conducted on Shivarathri day too in grand manner.

Legends

According to the advice of sage Agasthiya his disciple Romasar let nine lotuses flower to float in the river Thamiraparani. In that, the seventh flower docked here, in the form of Linga, here the lord graces in the form of lotus. As a proof we can see the base of Linga is shaped like a lotus flower. Those who want to get the goodwill of the planet Mercury, has to offer the green clothes, green gram and sugar to the planet Budha and worship.

The Temple

This is the seventh among the nine Nava Kailasam temples and is also known as Ponnammai Sametha Kailasanathar Temple. Shiva is worshipped here as Kailasanathar. Mother Goddess Shakti is worshipped as Alakiya Ponnammai. Nandi murti is found facing the main Shivalingam. The subsidiary deities worshipped here include Navagrahas, Bhairava, Ganesha, and Muruga with his consort Valli. Vilwa is the tree associated with the temple.

Shrine of Mother Alakiya Ponnammai is located on the right side of Sanctum facing east. In this temple, a shrine of Kalabhairava with six hands can be found, here Lord is considered to be in the form of Vedas, he doesn’t have his usual vehicle dog. During the full moon and the half-moon Ashtami, there will be special pooja to the lord.

Shrines for Vallabha Ganapati, Sakthi Vinayaka, Kannimoola Ganapati, and Sidhivinayaka can be found in the Temple premises. In ancient times, this place is one of the largest fortified towns. Hence local peoples would say it is the town to the south (Then) of the state, since it is known that Thenthiruperai. Here Nandhi with turban is a special feature. The nearby Vishnu temple (Magaranedunkuzhainathar) is one of Nava Tirupati temple.

Moon, Guru, Venus on horse chariot, Guru and Venus with eight horses, the sun with 7 horses and moon with10 horses this is very unique in this temple. This temple is dedicated to the Sri Budhan (Mercury) and is called as Budhan Sthalam. In this temple, Lord Muruga looks like Sri Shanmuganathar of Thiruchendur with Valli and Devasena. 

Coconut with Horn in the Temple:

There is a coconut with horn in Ambal Shrine in the temple. It is said that once a British Army officer wanted to have a tender coconut. But nearby there was only one coconut grove and all the tender coconut in it was for anointing the murtis in Thenthiruperai Kailasanathar Temple. So the keeper of the grove denied the officer tender coconut.

An angry officer wanted to know what was so special about the coconuts in grove. He asked whether the coconut in the grove had horns. He demanded a tender coconut be plucked from the grove. When the coconut was given to the officer he found horns sprouting from it. The officer soon realized his mistake, made offerings at the shrine, & asked for forgiveness. The coconut with horns can be still seen in the temple.

Temple Opening Time

·        Morning - 8:00 A.M to 10:30 A.M

·        Evening - 5:00 P.M to 7:00 P.M

Pooja Timings

·        Thiruvanandhal - 6:00 A.M

·        Kalasanthi - 9:00 A.M

·        Uchikalam - 12:00 A.M

·        Sayaratchai - 6:00 P.M

·        Arthajamam - 7:00 P.M

Festivals

·        Monthly Pradosham      

·        Maha Shivrathri in February-March

·        Aavani Moolam in August-September

·        Panguni Uthiram in March-April

·        Vaikasi Visakam in May-June

·    10 day Chithirai Mother Chamundeeswari Festival commencing from the day after new moon day in April-May

·        Aadi Pooram in July-August

·        Karthikai Deepam in November-December

·        Margazhi Tiruvadhirai in December-January

·        Thai Poosam in January-February

·        Aipasi Annabishekam in October-November

Contact

Ponnammai Sametha Kailasanathar Temple,

Thenthiruperai, Thoothukudi - 628 621

Phone: 98437 96544

Connectivity

The temple is located at a distance of 38 kms from Thirunelveli on Thirunelveli – Thiruchendur Road near Azhwar Thirunagari. Nearest Railway Station is Alwar Tirunagari which is located at a distance of 6 Kms and Nearest Airport is located at Thoothukudi.