Sivanthiappar Temple, Vikramasingapuram, Thirunelveli

Sivanthiappar Temple, Vikramasingapuram, Thirunelveli

Sivanthiappar Temple is dedicated to Hindu God Shiva located at Vikramasingapuram near Ambasamudram in Thirunelveli District of Tamilnadu. It is a majestic temple covering a large area with so many big idols. Main Deity is called as Sivanthiappar and Mother is called as Vazhi Adimai Konda Nayaki. Sthala Vriksham (holy tree) of this temple is Vilva tree. Theertham is Kadana River.

History

About 400 years ago, Shivanthiappa Naicker ruling this region built this temple for the welfare of the people praying to Lord Shiva. The Lord is named Sivanthiappar after the name of the ruler.

The Temple

Lord Shiva graces the devotees with a turban on his head. Mother Vazhi Adimai Konda Nayaki blesses the devotees from a separate shrine facing south. Lord Nataraja has his own shrine. Lord Dakshinamurthy generally appears in temples with palm leaves or Agni the fire. Here he has his left hand placed on a serpent, a different feature in this temple. Those facing problems due to serpent planets, pray to Lord Dakshinamurthy for relief.

At the entrance of Lord Shiva shrine, Adhikara Nandhi and Bhairava appear facing each other. Arumuga Nayinar (Lord Muruga) graces from a separate shrine. His consorts Valli and Deivanai are facing each other. Mother Durga is in the midst of Saptha Madhas. Durga is the prominent deity in the temple. Those facing delays in marriage, light lime cup lamps, offer kumkum archana with Sarkarai Pongal-sweet pudding for speeding up proposals. Vinayaka in the temple is called Lord Kanni Moola Ganapathi.

The massive temple has five-tier tower (Raja gopuram) and is facing the eastern direction. There is a tall flag staff and Bali peetha located near the Nandi Mandapa. The Nandi mandapa is strikingly beautiful with sculpted pillars and the statues of women holding oil lamps. Near Bali peetha, there are two sub-shrines dedicated to Sthala Vinayaka and Shanmukha. The temple has two praharams. Similar to other temples in this region, Bali peetha is located between the main shrine and Nandi. It is unusual and found like this only in this region.

Main Shrines:

The sanctum sanctorum has a moderately big sized Shiva Linga named as Sivanthiappar. The shrine faces the eastern direction. Right next to his shrine, the main shrine of Goddess Vazhi Adimai Konda Nayaki bearing a beautiful Tamil name, is located. It faces the southern direction.

The inner prakara around the main shrines has the following sub shrines:

·        Dhakshinamoorthi

·        Chandikeswara

·        Prakara Vinayaka

·        Shanmukha sitting on peacock with his consorts Valli and Devasena facing each other – rare and beautiful idols

Maha Mandapam:

Unlike other typical temples, the maha mandapa of this temple is really a maha (big) mandapa (hall) with a lot of artistically beautiful pillars and idols.

The metal (Utsava) idols found in this mandapa include:

·        Nataraja – Sivakami

·        Naalvar

·        Veerabagu

·        Somaskanda

·        Uma

·        Sapta Matas

·        Veerabhadra

·        Subramanya-Valli-Devasena

·        Shiva devotees

The stone idols found in this mandapa include:

·        Surya

·        Chandra

·        Veerabhadra

·        Bhairava

·        Adhikara Nandi

·        Ganesha

·        Saneeswara

Outside the maha mandapa, there is another exterior mandapa. There is a Ganesha idol found there.

Other Shrines:

·        Naalvar

·        Karaikkal Ammaiyar

·        Sekkizhar

·        Mangaiyarkkarasi

·        Ganesha

·        Siva Subramanya

·        Navagraha

Temple Opening Time

The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 9.00 p.m. and from 5.00 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.

Pooja Timings

·        Kalasanthi - 6:30 A.M

·        Sayaratchai - 5:30 P.M

Festivals

Chithirai Festival, Purattasi Brahmmotsavam in September-October and Aipasi Wedding festival in October-November, Margazhi Urchavam, Karthikai Sampoorna Pooja and Every Tamil Month 1st day Ganapathi Homam (Mathanthira pooja) are the festivals celebrated in the temple.  

Prayers

People pray to Lord Sivanthiappar for wedding boon and welfare of children facing adverse planetary aspects. Devotees perform abishek to Lord with Vilwa leaves.

Contact

Sivanthiappar Temple,

Vikramasingapuram-627 425,

Thirunelveli district

Phone: +91 – 4634 – 223 457 / 293 757

Mobile: +91 9443728451 / 9894176671

Connectivity

Vikramasingapuram is situated 53 Kms to the south of Thirunelveli and 7 km from Ambasamudram. Vikramasingapuram is close to the Agasthiyar Falls and situated on the banks of river Thamirabarani. Nearest Railway Station is located at Tenkasi (29 Kms) and Nearest Airport is Tuticorin Airport located at about 85 Kms from Vikramasingapuram.