Jamadagneeswarar Temple, Kilangadu, Thirunelveli

Jamadagneeswarar Temple, Kilangadu, Thirunelveli

Jamadagneeswarar Temple is dedicated to Hindu God Shiva located at Kilangadu Village in Thirunelveli District of Tamilnadu. Presiding Deity is called as Jamadagneeswarar and Mother is called as Nalla Mangai.

Legends

Parasurama rage on Kshatriyas:

Sage Jamadagni and his wife Renukadevi were living in this region with their illustrious son Parasurama. A king Kartha Veeryarjuna by name with 1000 hands with the blessings of Lord Vinayaka came to this place for hunting. The king and his men became too tired at the midday and could not get even food then. He met the sage. Sage Jamadagni hosted a delicious feast to the king and his men. When Kartha Veeryarjuna asked the sage, how it was possible for him to extend such hospitality in that place, the sage said that it was the divine cow Kamadenu that fed the king and his men. 

The sage did not foresee the danger ahead and was simply true and honest.
The greedy king demanded the sage to part with the cow with him. The sage refused and said that the cow could live only among the Rishis and not with kings. He used all the tactics and finally ordered his men to seize the cow. With a sign from sage Jamadagni, Kamadenu simply shook its horns producing a huge army. Kamadenu army disappeared after flooring the king’s forces. Kartha Veeryarjuna decided to avenge his defeat. He beheaded the sage while he was in deep meditation. When the Sage’s wife intervened, he inflicted 21 stab injuries on her. Renukadevi was waiting for her son Parasurama, told him of what happened, and breathed her last. 

After the funeral rituals were over after 16 days, Renuka became a furious Bhadrakali, appeared before her son, gave him an axe and disappeared. Parasurama vowed to avenge his parent’s death at the hands of a Kshatriya. He    destroyed 21 generations of his dynasty one by one. Having executed his vow, he built the temple for Lord Shiva worshipped by his Sage father.

Jamadagneeswarar:

Thousands of years ago, a Pandya King who built the Tenkasi Viswanathar Temple was passing through this place. His horse fell down and refused to get up. A voice directed the king to dig the place. When his men did so, the king got the Shivalinga worshipped by Sage Jamadagni; hence, Lord was named Jamadagneeswarar.

The Temple

Lord Jamadagneeswarar is facing east. Mother Nallamangai is facing south. The temple has a separate shrine in the northeast corner for Renukadevi. She brought Ganga water for the puja of sage Jamadagni, hence is also known as Gangai Amman. 

Temple Opening Time

The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 10.00 a.m. and from 5.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.

Festivals

Besides Pradosha pujas, the temple celebrates Maha Shivaratri in February-March.

Prayers

People pray to Lord Shiva and Mother Nallamangai with various wishes in mind. Devotees perform abishek and archanas to Lord and Mother offering vastras as their prayer commitment.

Connectivity

Kilangadu Shiva temple is about 8 km far from Tenkasi on the northeast direction. Nearest Railway Station is located Tenkasi. Nearest Airport is located at Tuticorin and Thiruvananthapuram.