Friday, July 15, 2016

Kailasanathar Temple, Rajapathy, Thoothukudi

Kailasanathar Temple, Rajapathy, Thoothukudi
Rajapathy Kailasanathar Temple is one of the Nava Kailasam Temples and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is located at Rajapathy in Thoothukudi District, Tamilnadu. This temple is associated with Kethu, among the Navagrahas. The shrine is around 26 km from Thoothukudi Town. Out of the Nava Kailasam, it belongs to the Kethu. It lies in the Lower Kailasam. The specialty of this temple is there are 4 chakras around the Shiva Linga.



This is the eighth among the nine Nava Kailasam temples. It is also known as the Dakshina Kaalahasthi. Shiva is worshipped here as Kailasanathar. Mother Goddess Shakti is worshipped as Soundaryanayaki. Nandi murti faces the main Shivalingam. The shrine is located on the banks of Thamiraparani River.



Subsidiary deities include Ganesha, Nataraja, Dakshinamurti, Bhairava, and Muruga with his consorts and Sivakami. 63 Nayanmars are worshipped in murti form here. Those people suffering due to bad positioning of Kethu Navagraha in their horoscope find relief after offering prayers here.



Another interesting thing about the temple is the Navagrahas, which aren’t in their regular forms, but depicted as Lingams.



Legends
Sage Romasa, the first disciple of Sage Agasthya sought suggestion from his Guru for attaining total salvation ending the cycle of births and deaths. The Guru advised the disciple to place 9 flowers in the Tamirabarani River created by him and worship Lord Shiva at each place a flower touched the bank. This worship would help him realize his wish, said sage Agasthya.



Sage Romasa followed his Guru Agasthya’s advice meticulously. The last flower touched the banks of the river in Rajapathy. Sage worshipped Lord Shiva here and realized his wish. The place is named after the palace of Pandya king belonging to the Chandra dynasty – Raja – King, Pathi – Place. The temple was ruined due to the fury of floods.  With the steps taken by Shiva devotees, the new temple was built.



Greatness of Temple
This is the place where Ketu worshipped Lord Shiva – Kailasanathar, hence praised as Kethu Parihara Sthala. There is only a disfigured Shiva Linga. There are four wheel figures on all sides of the Linga. It is said that there is a temple buried under this Linga. Ragu rules 7 years in a person’s life. It is advised that the person under this period worship Lord in this temple during this period. 



Devotees pray here for good farm yields, health and child boon, health of cattle, job opportunities and progress in trade and offer various farm produces as their prayer commitment to Lord and Mother. On Pradosha days, they offer various puja materials and fruits for the pujas. 



The temple conducts Ketu Parihara pujas between 12.00 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. on Sundays and between 9.00 a.m. to 10.30 a.m. on Tuesdays with Yajnas. Devotees participate in this pujas for removal of obstacles in wedding proposals, adverse aspects of planets for cure from hyper tension, diabetics, asthma etc.  They also derive benefits of child boon and other developments in life.



The first puja for the consecration of Rajapathy Kailasanathar temple began on the day when the Raja Gopuram of the Kaalahasthi temple was damaged. Hence, this place and temple is regarded as Then Kalahasti – Kaalahasthi of South. This temple is praised equal in reputation to the Kethu Sthala in Keel Perum Pallam temple in Nagapattinam. Along with Aadhi Kailasanathar, Lord Kailasa Nathar and Soundarya Nayaki bless the devotees from this holy soil.



The Temple
In this temple, the Shiva Linga is seen differently. There are four chakras on all sides of the Linga. It is believed that there is a temple buried under this Linga.  Ragu & Kethu rules 7 years in a person’s life. Hence, it is advised that those undergoing this period, should worship Lord in this temple during this period.



Lords Vinayaka, Nataraja, Dakshinamurthi, Muruga with his consorts Valli and Deivanai, Mother Sivakami and Saivite Saints Sambandar, Sundarar, Appar & Manikavasagar grace the devotees from their shrines in the temple.



Temple Opening Time
The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. and from 4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.  
Ketu Parihara Poojas
·        On Sunday from 12:00 P.M to 1:30 P.M
·        On Tuesday from 9:00 A.M to 10:30 A.M
Festivals
·        Margazhi Tiruvadhirai in December-January
·        Shivrathri in February-March
·        Monthly Pradoshams
·        First day of each Tamil month
Prayers
Lord Shiva represents the wisdom character attributed to serpent planet Ketu.   Those facing adverse aspects of this planet and aspiring wise children pray to Lord Kailasanathar.  People also pray here for profitable farm yields, health of cattle, removal of obstacles in wedding proposals, relief from adverse aspects of serpent planets, job opportunities, child boon, development in trade and education of children. People offer vastras to Lord in different colours, pulses, farm yields and fruits as their prayer commitment.
Contact
Sri Kailasa Nathar Temple,
Rajapathy – 628 207, Tuticorin district.
Phone: +91 99420 62825, 98422 63681, 94863 81956
Connectivity
This Temple is located at a distance of 45 kms from Tirunelveli on the way to Thiruchendur near Thenthiruperai. Kurumbur is 40 km from Tirunelveli on the Thiruchendur road. Rajapathy is 5 km from Kurumbur on the Eral Road. From Sethu Subramaniapuram it is 25 km from Tuticorin on Nazareth Road. Rajapathy is 1 km far from Sethu Subramaniapuram. Nearest Railway Station is located at Thoothukudi and Nearest Airports are located at Thoothukudi & Madurai.

References