Friday, April 28, 2017

Kailasanathar Temple, Kodaganallur, Thirunelveli

Kailasanathar Temple, Kodaganallur, Thirunelveli
Kailasanathar Temple is dedicated to Hindu God Shiva located at Kodaganallur in Thirunelveli District of Tamilnadu. The Temple is located on the shores of the Thamirabarani (Tamirapani) River. This village is famous as it is the birthplace of many famous people – the holy Sri Sundara Swamigal and Sangitavidwans like Subbiah Bhagavatar. Kodaganallur is a quaint little village and you will feel as if you have stepped into the past. Even today it has exclusive agraharams (Brahmin streets) and the many temples here add to its historic and cultural identity.





Kodaganallur Kailasanathar Temple is one of the Nava Kailasam Temples. This temple is associated with Sevvai, or Mars (Chevvai or Mangal), among the Navagrahas. This is the third among the nine Nava Kailasam temples. It is also a special temple for Viruchigam (Scorpio) and Mesha (Aries) Rasis (moon signs). Kodaganallur is home to many ancient temples apart from the Kailasanathar Temple. These temples, dating back to the 12th century, include a Vishnu temple for Periya Piran and a Shiva Temple for Sri Abhimuktheshwar. The only Sankara Mutt established in Tamilnadu by the Sringeri Mutt of Karnataka is in this village.  

  


Legends
Nava Kailasam:
Legend has it that Sage Agasthiyar was doing penance in the Podhigai hills. Romasa Rishi was his chief disciple; he wanted to attain liberation and he prayed to Lord Shiva. The Lord wanted to exalt him through his Guru, Sage Agasthya, who put nine flowers in the Thamirabarani River and asked Romasa to install a Shiva lingam and pray wherever these flowers docked on the banks of the river. He was also advised to bathe at the confluence of the river – where it met the sea.
Romasa followed all these instructions and attained liberation. The nine abodes where the flowers washed up on the shores of the river are called Nava Kailasam and the temples built at these spots are small but exquisite.  One of the Lotus flower reached in the village near Kodaganallur, This temple is dedicated to the one of the planet, Chevvai (Mars).  
Karkodaga Nallur:
Once, a sage was doing penance in this area, he was assisted by his son. Once the son went to the forest to get firewood, at that time a young prince visited the sage, he attempted to wake up the sage from his penance and ask for the development of the Kingdom. The sage was in his ritual process and refuses to wake up; angry prince took a dead snake and placed it around the sage’s neck. The Sage was in deep penance he never noticed the snake in his neck, the sage son came back with firewood and notice someone done a great sin. He got angry and came to know that the prince did it. he went to the palace, and said” Prince” you have done a very sinful work you placed a dead snake in my father’s neck.
One day it will get alive and kill your father” and he left the palace angrily. A few days later, the King went to see his horoscopes. The palace priest said “you will die in the venom of a snake”. So he decided to build a chamber were snakes cannot come in, the king lived there happily. As per the sage son words the king must die in a snake bit, but there is no way. The snake took rebirth in the form of a mango worm, at a particular day king ordered for mango; he got the same mango with worm which killed the King.
As the sin done by the karkodagan, he decided to do penance towards lord Siva. To get rid of the sin thus lord came from Kailash to help his devotee he is called in the name of Kailasanathar , and in this place karkodagan got mukthi so its name Karkodaga Nallur.
History
It is believed that the temple was built in the 12th century. However, it was renovated multiple times. Shri Kailasanathar Temple is believed to have been built during the reign of Raja Raja Chola. The Hoysalas and Pandyas have been linked with the rebuilding of the temple.



The Temple
This is a small shrine and does not boast of any great architecture. The walls of the shrine are adorned with paintings of Hindu gods and goddesses and of stories from Puranas. There are only two shrines and a prakaram. Like other temples there are no prakara deities or other deities except Moolavar and Ambal. The Moolavar so very big such that 8 dhotis measuring 8 muzham (yards) each is used to cover the deity. Presiding Deity is called as Kailasanathar and Mother is called as Sivagami / Ananthagowri / Avudai Nayagi. Theertham is Thamirabarani. Sthala Vriksham is Vilvam Tree.




The main shrine Sri Kailasanathar is facing the east direction. The Goddess Sivakami is found in a separate north-facing shrine. The idols of Ganesha and Kartikeya are found in the entrance of the main shrine instead of the usual presence of Dwalabalagars. The temple has Bali peetha, flag staff and Nandi facing the main shrine. A unique offering here is making a garland using yellow thread and 58 turmeric pieces and offering it to Nandi in the shrine. This is performed for early marriage. The garland is tied on Nandi by both men and women.




Shri Kailasanathar Temple in Kodaganallur, as mentioned earlier, is one of the Nava (nine) Kailashams. The temple is also a Navagraha Sevvai Sthalam (shrine for nine planets) and invocations to Sevvai (Mars) can be done here. It is also a special temple for Viruchigam (Scorpio) and Mesha (Aries) Rasis (moon signs). For the devout, Sivagami Ambal Thirukalyanam (wedding ceremony for the goddess) is performed daily. The temple is believed to be 12th century CE old. However, it has been renovated multiple times.




Temple Opening Time
·        Morning: 6.00 A.M - 12.00 P.M
·        Evening: 5.00 P.M - 7.00 P.M
Festivals
·        Every Month Pradosham
·        Maha Sivarathiri
·        Margali Thiruvathirai
Contact
Kailasanathar Temple
Kodaganallur, Thirunelveli
Phone: +91 4534 261849
Mobile: +91 96597 28621
Connectivity
Kodaganallur is a village situated on the banks of the river Tambiraparani. Kodaganallur is located about 23 Kms from Thirunelveli on the Thirunelveli – Cheranmadevi state highway, 9 Kms from Cheranmahadevi, 14 Kms from Veeravanallur, 172 Kms from Madurai and 157 Kms from Thiruvananthapuram. Nearest Railway Station is located at Cheranmahadevi and Veeravanallur. Nearest Airport is located at Madurai and Thiruvananthapuram.

References