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.
