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