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