Neelamaninathar Temple (Kariamanicka Perumal Temple),
Kadayanallur, Thirunelveli
Neelamaninathar
Temple, also called as Kariamanicka Perumal Temple is located at Kadayanallur
in Thirunelveli District of Tamilnadu. Presiding Deity is called as Neelamaninathar
/ Kariamanicka Perumal and Mother is called as Mahalakshmi. Historically this
place is called as Arjuna Kshetra.
Legends
Arjuna,
after his victory in the Kurukshetra war came here with his men to cleanse
himself of the sin of killing many. He went to Pothigai hills, bathed in
the Holy Tambiraparani. On his way, he stayed under a Marudha tree for
rest. Lord Vishnu appeared in his dream and said that He was near a
Marudha tree and advised him to worship there for total cleansing of the sins. Arjuna
waking up from the sleep saw the Lord in idol form with his consorts and
worshipped the Swayambu idols. The king who ruled this region then built
the temple.
The
Temple
Presiding
deity Lord Neelamani Nathar praised as Karia Manicka Perumal in Tamil blesses
the devotees from the sanctum sanctorum in a standing posture with his consorts
Mothers Sri Bhoodevi and Sri Neeladevi. As Arjuna worshipped here, the
place is called Arjunapuri Kshetra. Lord Sudarsana-the deity of the discus of
Perumal graces from a separate shrine with 16 hands. Two lions below the peetam
are bearing Lord Sudarsana and Lord Yoga Narasimha behind him.
The
other wonder exclusively in the temple is a five hooded serpent below Lord
Narasimha. Though a Vishnu temple, the temple has shrines for Lord Dakshinamurthy
belonging to Shiva attributes. He blesses the devotees with two disciples
(generally Lord Dakshinamurthy has four disciples), a difference from other
places. His form too is different as that of Lord Aiyappan.
The other
significance that Muyalagan under his feet (symbol of ignorance has his head on
the left side against the usual right. There are two Anjaneya on the
pillars, one as Baktha Anjaneya and the other with his left hand on the chest
and the right upward. There are shrines for Mother Mahalakshmi, Sri Andal
and Vishwaksenar.
Temple
Opening Time
The
temple is open from 7.30 a.m. to 10.00 a.m. and from 5.30 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.
Festivals
Chithirai
Brahmmotsavam in April-May is grandly celebrated in the temple.
Prayers
Those
facing obstacles in wedding proposals and those annoyed about the welfare of
children due to adverse planetary aspects pray to Lord offering rice made of
curry leaves and porridge-payasam on Tiruvonam star day hoping to get relieve from
the problems. Devotees perform Sudarsana Homa here for relief from fear of
threats and success in endeavors. Devotees perform special Tirumanjanam to Lord
and Mother. Those unable to execute their prayer commitments in Tirupathi do it
here as Lord Neelamaninathar in a standing form is but a replica of Venkatachalapathy.
Contact
Sri
Neelamaninathar Temple,
Kadayanallur
– 627 751,
Thirunelveli
District
Mobile: +91 – 99657 61050
Connectivity
Kadayanallur
is located at about 135 Kms from Madurai on the Tenkasi road. Kadayanallur
is located at about 69 Kms from Thirunelveli, 16 Kms from Tenkasi, 119 Kms from
Thiruvananthapuram. Nearest Railway Station is located at Kadayanallur and
Tenkasi. Nearest Airport is located at Madurai and Thiruvananthapuram.