Neer Katha Aiyanar Temple, Rajapalayam, Virudhunagar
Sri Neer
Katha Aiyanar Temple is located near Ayyanar Falls in Rajapalayam in Virudhunagar
District of Tamilnadu. Presiding Deity is Neer Katha Aiyanar with his consorts
Poorna and Pushkala.
Legends
Ayyanar saved Pandyan Army:
Though
Aiyanar worship is in vogue in Tamilnadu from days of yore, building temples
for him began from the 10th century by Chola King Rajaraja I, followed by
other Aiyanar Temples in other parts of the state. Rajapalayam Neer Katha
Aiyanar temple also came into being during this period only.
The
western border of the Pandya region where the temple stands was once usurped by
Pandala king of Kerala. Pandya sent an army headed by Chinniah Thevan who
travelled through Srivilliputhur and Rajapalayam, reached the western ghats,
and drove the Kerala king and his army and recovered the territory.
While
they were returning back to Pandya kingdom, they were caught by floods in the
river. They prayed to Aiyanar to save them. A large tree fell across
the tree which, as a bridge helped the soldiers to cross the river. Thus,
Aiyanar came to be known as Neer (water – flood in this context), Katha
(protecting) Aiyanar.
Chinna Ottakaran and Peria Ottakaran as securities to
Ayyanar:
Two men,
Chinna Ottakaran and Peria Ottakaran came to Rajapalayam for selecting wood for
the flag post of Madurai Meenakshi Amman. They found that some
trees under the control of Aiyanar suitable for their purpose and began to axe
them. While doing so, they found blood from the tree and were
terror-struck. They pleaded with Aiyanar of their innocence and said that
they axed the tree only for making the flag post for Meenakshi Temple. Graceful
Aiyanar pardoned them and asked them to return back after delivering the wood
and be his security.
Mother
Meenakshi stopped them from going back. Exasperated Aiyanar made all
people sick. Mother called the two Ottakarans and allowed them to go back
to Aiyanar and promised that she would come and meet them once in a year with
three garlands. Chinna Ottakaran and Peria Ottakaran are the securities
even today for Aiyanar.
The
Temple
Since
very ancient days, Tamil people use to worship deities of heroism. Aiyanar is
one among them. It is the stanch faith of the people that Aiyanar goes
around places on his horse to protect people from evil powers. Aiyanar is
considered as the main deity of deities in rural places. The letter “I” in
Tamil represents leadership, beauty, wonder, king, guide, God, father etc.
Graceful Neer Katha Aiyanar temple is situated at the foothills of Western
Ghats where two rivers, Palaru and Neeraru meet.
On the
left of Aiyanar is Pushkala and Poorna on the right. Neer Katha Aiyanar is the
source of all power to ensure the industrial growth and agricultural fertility
of Rajapalayam town. Aiyanar is everything for the people here in
their daily life.
Vanalingam,
Thalamaiswami, Perumal, Lakshmi, Chinna Ottakarasamy, Peria Ottakarasamy, Vanakali,
Madam, Madathi, Rakachi Amman, Vana Pechiamman, Karuppusamy, Dharmaraja, Sapthakannis
have their shrines in the temples gracing the devotees.
Temple
Opening Time
The
temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
Festivals
Chithirai
first day (falling almost on April 14) and Chithirai Thiruvizha (April-May) are
the festival days in the temple.
Prayers
Devotees
approach Aiyanar for solutions for various problems in their families.
Realizing their expectations, devotees perform abishek to Aiyanar, feed the
poor and contribute what they could to the temple.
Connectivity
This
temple is located at about 10 km (6.2 mi) west of Rajapalayam. Rajapalayam is connected with bus from all places.
Government and mini bus facilities are available to Neer Katha Aiyanar Temple.
Nearest Railway Station is located at Rajapalayam and Nearest Airport is
located at Madurai.
