Sankara Narayanan Temple, Sankarankovil, Thirunelveli
Sankara
Narayanan Temple is dedicated to Hindu God Sankara Narayanan, a fusion of Shiva
and Vishnu located at Sankarankovil Town in Thirunelveli District of Tamilnadu.
The Temple was built in the 11th century by the Pandya king, Ukkirapandia. This
temple also gives the town its name, Sankarankoil. In this temple you can see
an unusual sight of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu placed together in the same
sanctum sanctorum.
Shiva
lingams usually represent one particular natural element. This temple is
considered to be representing one of the five elements (Nilam/Land/Prithvi) in
this area, the other being Nallur (Agni), Tharukapuram (Neer/Water/Jal),
Thenmalai (Vayu) and Devathaanam (Agayam/Sky/Akash). Sankarankovil is the
second largest town in the district. It is very noted for the "Adi
Thapasu" festival.
This
temple is a representation of fusion of two faiths Saivism and Vaishnavism. In
older times, the city was called as Sankaranayinarkoil. The main deities in the temple are of Lord Shiva in
the name of Vanmeeganathar (southern portion inside the temple) and Goddess
Parvathi in the name of Gomathi Amman (northern portion) with separate
sanctums. There is another deity in between these two that is of Sankara
Narayanar.
The
Sankarankoil temple’s architecture has been designed brilliantly so that in
March and September, the rays of the sun fall on the icon of Lord Sankaralingam
for three days from the 21st of each month. Most temples are associated with a
special remedy for a health or astrological problem. In this temple it is
toothache and Rahu and Ketu (snake planets) ill effects.
Legends
For
brief details, please refer below link;
http://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2017/05/sankara-narayanan-temple-sankarankovil-legends.html
The
Temple
For
brief details, please refer below link;
Temple
Opening Time
The
temple is open from 5.00 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and from 4.00 p.m. to 9.00 p.m.
Pooja
Timings
·
Thiruvanandal - 6.00 am
·
Vizha Pooja - 6.30 am
·
Siru Kaala Santhi - 8.30
am
·
Kaala Santhi - 10.30 am
·
Uchikalam - 12.30 pm
·
Sayaratchai - 5.30 pm
·
Artha Jamam - 9.00 pm
Festivals
For
brief details, please refer below link;
Literary
Mention
·
Gomathi Satharathinamalai
(This book contains hundreds of poems about Goddess Gomathi, Author –
Tirunelveli Pettai A. Eswaramurthy Pillai)
· Gomathi Pillai Tamil –
Author Uthumalai Samasdhana Vidwan Puliangudi Muthu Veerappa Kavirayar.
There is
a cut stone inscription at Thachanallur Swamy Vedamoorthy Mutt in Tirunelveli
District. This stone described about the various temple renovation works done
by various kings and their period of rule. By this one Thiru.K.Nallaperumal
Pillai has written one book SenTamilselvi Xth Silambu in this book in page
No.500, there was some news about this temple.
Prayers
Devotees
facing problems due to the presence of poisonous creatures in their houses as
lizards, scorpions and snakes offer silver pieces embossed with the images of
such creatures for solution. Devotees pray here to develop the quality of love
for all promoting unity and to be simple and austere in nature. Devotees offer
abishek, vastras and Nivedhanas to Lord Sankaranarayana and Mother Gomathi. The
Puthu Maan or ant hill sand is offered as Prasad for the devotees. It is
believed that consuming a pinch of the sand Prasad will help to cure a lot of
diseases.
Contact
Arulmigu
Sankaranarayana Swamy Temple,
Sankarankovil
- 627 756
Tirunelveli
District
Phone: +91
– 4636 – 222 265
Mobile: +91 – 94862 40200
Connectivity
For
brief details, please refer below link;