Thennazhagar Temple, Kovilkulam, Ambasamudram,
Thirunelveli
Thennazhagar Temple is dedicated to Hindu God Vishnu
located in Kovilkulam Village near Ambasamudram in Thirunelveli District of
Tamilnadu. Presiding Deity is called as Thennazhagar
(Vinnagar Perumal) and Mother is called as Sundaravalli and Soundaravalli.
Theertham of this Temple is Markandeya Theertham. Utsavar is called as Soundararaja
Perumal. Shravanam Utsavam was celebrated in a grand manner in this 10th
Century AD temple. Sundararaja Perumal is part of the Annual 5 Garuda Seva that
takes place at Ambasamudram.
Legends
Lord Vishnu gave darshan to Sage Markandeya:
Sage
Markandeya was visiting many Vishnu shrines on earth. On his way to Pothigai
Hills, responding to his prayer, Lord gave the sage his darshan with Mothers
Soundaravalli and Sundaravalli.
Thennazhagar:
There
was a staunch Vishnu devotee who lived in this village. In his dream, he was
ordered by the God to visit Kalazhagar in Madurai. As the devotee brought the
idol from the place where Kalazhagar temple is located and installed in this
village, this deity was named as Thennazhagar. He is also praised as Sripathy
Vinnagar Peruman.
The
Temple
The
current structure of the temple appears to be 300 - 400 years old. The
temple has no tower. It has flag staff, Bali peetha and Garuda facing the main
shrine. The temple as well as the main shrine faces the east direction. The
temple is built in "maada kovil" architectural style. It
has sanctum sanctorum, ardha mandapa, maha mandapa and also a front side
mandapa with pillars.
The
corridor that connects the main shrine and the temple entrance has many pillars
with the lion sculptures on the top. The sanctum sanctorum has the tall
beautiful idol of Thennazhagar along with his consorts Sundaravalli and Soundaravalli on
his either sides. The Lord has four arms and carries conch and discus in his
upper arms. He graces in a standing form. Presiding deity Perumal in
sanctum sanctorum is made of a lime mixture called Karai.
As the
original idol was damaged due to age, this is made and installed again, hence
Tirumanjanam is not offered to the idol. Sage Markandeya is in a
worshipping for near Perumal gracing with Mothers Soundaravalli and
Sundaravalli. Original Garudazhwar is on the temple wall on the northeast
corner. Special Tirumanjanam is offered to Garudazhwar only on Swati
star day in Aadi-July-August. He would be dressed with a shirt made of flowers.
Special
pujas are performed for 10 days to Lord following the Aadi Pooram festival. As
the Murthy-idol is brought from Madurai Kalazhagar temple, Lord is named as
Thennazhagar – Azhagar of South. He is also praised as Sripathy Vinnagar
Peruman. As there was a tank around the temple earlier, the place is named Kovilkulam,
Kovil-temple and Kulam-tank. Vishwaksenar, Nagar, Thirumangai
Azhwar, Nammazhwar and Udayavar Ramanuja adore the front mandapam.
The
temple was known for its festivals in earlier days. Due to lack of proper
administration, no festival is celebrated in the temple these days. Several of
the vahanas are still found inside the temple, though some of them are in poor
shape. The Utsava deities Soundararaja Perumal and his consorts are
currently not located in this temple. Due to lack of security in this temple,
they were shifted to a temple in the nearby Ambasamudram town.
Inscriptions
Burning Perpetual Lamp:
During
the rule of Sadaya Maran Pandyan (Raja Simhan II), there was a gift of 25 sheep
for lamp to be burnt by Kadan and his wife Narachey Nokki in 905 AD. In
centuries gone by, this temple was referred to as Thiru Podhigai Vinnagaram. In
925 – 926 AD, there was a gift of sheep made by one adigal for burning a lamp
at the temple.
Shravanam Festival:
During
the rule of Jatavaraman Pandya Kulasekara Deva in 1203 AD, there was a gift of
money for a festival to be celebrated each month on Shravanam in the temple of
Sripati Vinnagaram - Emberaman.
Other Gifts:
Vikrama
Pandya Deva, in 1293 AD, there was a gift of money for the Sundararaja Perumal
temple by Sundarattol Korriyammai. Earlier in 1287 AD, there was a gift of
money for temple by a resident of the fourth hamlet of Raja Raja Chadurvedi
Mangalam. During the rule of Vikrama Pandya, there was also gifts of money to
development and improvement of the temple. There was a gift of land by Koneri
Mel Kondan for offerings to Sripati Vinnagara Azhvaar.
Temple
Opening Time
The
temple is open from 7.00 a.m. to 9.00 a.m. and from 5.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Festivals
Aadi
Pooram in July - August, last Purattasi Saturday in September - October and
Vaikunda Ekadasi in December - January are the festivals celebrated in the
temple. Special Tirumanjanam is offered to Garudazhwar only on Swati star day
in Aadi-July-August. He would be dressed with a shirt made of flowers. Special
pujas are performed for 10 days to Lord following the Aadi Pooram festival.
In
centuries gone by, a 10day festival in Aadi used to be celebrated in a grand
way. Thennazhagar joins Lords from Krishnan Koil, Navaneetha Krishnan temple, Purushothama
Koil and Lakshmi Narasimha temple in Ambai in the annual 5 Garuda Sevai Utsavam.
Prayers
Devotees
pray to Lord Soundararaja Perumal seeking beautiful/handsome appearance. Devotees
offer sweet pudding-Sarkarai Pongal to Perumal as Nivedhana and perform special
pujas.
Contact
Sri
Thennazhagar Temple,
Kovilkulam,
Brahmmadesam Post,
Ambasamudram
Taluk, Thirunelveli District
Phone: +91 – 4634 – 251 705
Mobile: +91 – 94891 17581
Connectivity
Kovilkulam
is located at about 3 Kms North of Ambasamudram. Buses are available only at
specific hours. Ambasamudram is 37 Kms from Tenkasi, 12 Kms from Veeravanallur,
47 Kms from Thirunelveli, 206 Kms from Madurai and 143 Kms from
Thiruvananthapuram. Nearest Railway Station is located at Ambasamudram. Nearest
Airport is located Madurai and Thiruvananthapuram.