Saturday, March 18, 2017

Gothai Parameswarar Temple, Kunnathur, Thirunelveli

Gothai Parameswarar Temple, Kunnathur, Thirunelveli
Gothai Parameswarar Temple is dedicated to Hindu God Shiva located at Kunnathur in Thirunelveli District of Tamilnadu. It is one of the Navakailasam Temples and dedicated to the one of the planets, Rahu. It is special temple for Viruchigam and Mesha Rasis. The Temple is located very near to Keezha Thiruvenkatanathapuram temple on the northern bank of Thamirabarani River at the Kunnathur hillside.







Legends
Sage Romasa sought the advice of his Guru Agasthya to choose places on the banks of Tambiraparani for installing Shivalingas. The teacher told the disciple to throw flowers used for Shiva Puja on the river, and do the installations where the flowers reached the shores. Romasa threw lotus flowers as advised on the river, nine of which reached the bank at various places and Kunnathur was one among them. Planets are nine; therefore, they were named Nava (nine) Kailash each attributed to one planet.






The lingam, the iconic form of Shiva in the temple is believed to an aspect of Raghu, one of the planetary deities. The temple forms a series of Navagraha temples in the banks of Tamirabarani River where each of the nine planetary deities are considered to reside. 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 Raghu. In the Lingam, devotees can see a Snake sculpture. This is the only temple, where Snake is seen sculpted in the Lingam.






The Temple
Presiding Deity of this Temple is called as Gothai Parameswarar / Kailasanathar. Mother is called as Sivakami Ambal.  In the Lingam, devotees can see a Snake sculpture. This is the only temple, where Snake is seen sculpted in the Lingam. This temple is dedicated to the one of the planets, Rahu.







Temple Opening Time
The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. and 5.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Festivals
Mahasivarathri in February-March, Thiruvadirai in December-January, Tirukarthikai in November-December and Pradosham days – 13th day either from new moon or full moon days are the festivals celebrated in the temple.
Contact
Gothai Parameswarar Temple,
Kunnathur, Thirunelveli District
Phone: +91 462 2340955
Mobile: +91 94420 18567 / 94420 18077
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 9 kms South-West of Thirunelveli and 100 meters from Keezha Thiruvenkatanathapuram temple on the northern bank of Thamirabarani River at the Kunnathur hillside. The road is a parallel one to Thirunelveli – Papanasam road but on the opposite bank of Thamirabarani River. Bus facility is available from Sandhi Vinayakar stop in Thirunelveli every one hour. Autos may help saving time. Nearest Railway Station is located at Thirunelveli and Nearest Airport is located at Madurai & Thiruvananthapuram.