Friday, May 12, 2017

Sankara Narayanan Temple, Sankarankovil, Thirunelveli

Sankara Narayanan Temple, Sankarankovil, Thirunelveli
Sankara Narayanan Temple is dedicated to Hindu God Sankara Narayanan, a fusion of Shiva and Vishnu located at Sankarankovil Town in Thirunelveli District of Tamilnadu. The Temple was built in the 11th century by the Pandya king, Ukkirapandia. This temple also gives the town its name, Sankarankoil. In this temple you can see an unusual sight of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu placed together in the same sanctum sanctorum.



Shiva lingams usually represent one particular natural element. This temple is considered to be representing one of the five elements (Nilam/Land/Prithvi) in this area, the other being Nallur (Agni), Tharukapuram (Neer/Water/Jal), Thenmalai (Vayu) and Devathaanam (Agayam/Sky/Akash). Sankarankovil is the second largest town in the district. It is very noted for the "Adi Thapasu" festival.



This temple is a representation of fusion of two faiths Saivism and Vaishnavism. In older times, the city was called as Sankaranayinarkoil. The main deities in the temple are of Lord Shiva in the name of Vanmeeganathar (southern portion inside the temple) and Goddess Parvathi in the name of Gomathi Amman (northern portion) with separate sanctums. There is another deity in between these two that is of Sankara Narayanar.



The Sankarankoil temple’s architecture has been designed brilliantly so that in March and September, the rays of the sun fall on the icon of Lord Sankaralingam for three days from the 21st of each month. Most temples are associated with a special remedy for a health or astrological problem. In this temple it is toothache and Rahu and Ketu (snake planets) ill effects.



Legends
For brief details, please refer below link;
The Temple
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Temple Opening Time
The temple is open from 5.00 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and from 4.00 p.m. to 9.00 p.m.
Pooja Timings
·        Thiruvanandal - 6.00 am
·        Vizha Pooja - 6.30 am
·        Siru Kaala Santhi - 8.30 am
·        Kaala Santhi - 10.30 am
·        Uchikalam - 12.30 pm
·        Sayaratchai - 5.30 pm
·        Artha Jamam - 9.00 pm
Festivals
For brief details, please refer below link;
Literary Mention
·        Gomathi Satharathinamalai (This book contains hundreds of poems about Goddess Gomathi, Author – Tirunelveli Pettai A. Eswaramurthy Pillai)
·    Gomathi Pillai Tamil – Author Uthumalai Samasdhana Vidwan Puliangudi Muthu Veerappa Kavirayar.
There is a cut stone inscription at Thachanallur Swamy Vedamoorthy Mutt in Tirunelveli District. This stone described about the various temple renovation works done by various kings and their period of rule. By this one Thiru.K.Nallaperumal Pillai has written one book SenTamilselvi Xth Silambu in this book in page No.500, there was some news about this temple.
Prayers
Devotees facing problems due to the presence of poisonous creatures in their houses as lizards, scorpions and snakes offer silver pieces embossed with the images of such creatures for solution. Devotees pray here to develop the quality of love for all promoting unity and to be simple and austere in nature. Devotees offer abishek, vastras and Nivedhanas to Lord Sankaranarayana and Mother Gomathi. The Puthu Maan or ant hill sand is offered as Prasad for the devotees. It is believed that consuming a pinch of the sand Prasad will help to cure a lot of diseases.
Contact
Arulmigu Sankaranarayana Swamy Temple,
Sankarankovil - 627 756
Tirunelveli District
Phone: +91 – 4636 – 222 265
Mobile: +91 – 94862 40200
Connectivity
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