Sankara Narayanan Temple, Sankarankovil – The Temple
The
Temple is situated on 4.5 acre site in the heart of the town. It is one of the
Pancha Bootha (five elements) Sthalas in the South Pandya country. With an
imposing Rajagopuram, rising to a height of 125 feet with nine tiers, the
temple essentially consists of three parts - the shrines of Siva, Gomathi Amman
and Sankaranarayanar. This temple is surrounded by high perimeter walls and the
gopuram has many beautiful stucco images. There are large courtyards
surrounding the three sanctums of this temple.
The
temple tower is covered from top to bottom with a vast number of heavily
stuccoes images of the Hindu pantheon. Lord Sankaranarayana is the main deity
in the temple. Vinayaka is Anugnai Vinayaka. The temple has a 9 tier
Rajagopuram. It is known from the stone inscriptions that the construction
of this temple was commenced at 1022 A.D. by Pandya king Ukkira Pandya.
The
ant-hill sand is offered as Prasad which the sick consume along with water for
cure. Adhikara Nandhi is at the entrance with his consort Suyajadevi and the
Nandhi before the sanctum is under a Rudraksha Pandal-tent. The temple was
constructed in the Dravidian Style and follows Kamiga Agamam.
This
place is also called as Poo Kailayam, Punnai Vanam, Seeraasapuram, Seeraasai,
Vaaraasaipuram and Koozhai Nagar. One can also find beautiful paintings and
stone carvings adorning the temple walls and ceiling. The pillars in the
Mandapams depict life size sculptures - Rathi, Manmada, Kuravan,
Manakkreevan and others. There are beautiful fresco paintings adorning the
sanctum walls and mandapa ceiling. The stone idol of Nataraja is unique.
Raja Gopuram:
The
Temple is having 125 feet Raja Gopuram. This gopuram contains nine storeys. Its
top part length is 56 feet, width is 15 feet. Kumba kalasams on the top is 7
feet 4 inch.
Yoga Narasimha in Koshtam:
As a
tradition, Lord Lingodhbava or Lord Vishnu grace on the ghoshta wall around the
sanctum. In this temple, this slot is occupied by Lord Yoga
Narasimha. Those suffering from tooth ache pray here with abishek for
relief from pain. Special pujas are offered here on Purattasi Saturdays in
September-October.
Sarpa Vinayaka Shrine:
There is
a shrine for Lord Sarpa Vinayaka – Vinayaka with a Serpent in
hand. Those facing adverse effects serpent planet Ragu, worship here
at Rahu Kalam time (4.30 p.m. to 6.00 p.m.) on Sundays. To protect
children from poisonous bite, devotees offer Arugampul (a variety of grass)
garlands with Milk porridge (Payasam) as Nivedhana to Lord Sarpa
Vinayaka.
Gomathi Amman Shrine:
Go means
cow and Mathi Moon in Sanskrit. Maidens from the celestial world came along
with Ambica in the form of cows to help her penance. With a face as radiant as
the Moon and being owner of cows, Ambica is called Gomathi. She is also
praised as Aavudayambikai being the Tamil version of Gomathi. Mother is
dressed with flowers on Mondays and golden skirt on Fridays. Those facing
problems in wedding efforts and concern about children’s welfare pray to Mother
Gomathi lighting lamps made of rice flour mixed with ghee.
Sri
Chakra, personifying the glory and power of Shakti is installed either under
the peeta bearing Ambica or in front of the peeta. Here, Sri Chakra is
installed in the Mandapam before Ambica. This is called Agna
Chakra. Those with depression and confusion sit on this Chakra and pray to
Ambica. They believe they would be freed from confusions.
Vanmeeka Nathar Shrine:
There is
a shrine for Lord Vanmeeka Nathar in the Shiva prakara. Lord Shiva in this
shrine appears in an ant-hill form, his true form. It is designed as if he
is sitting on a serpent with its head above him as an umbrella. Vanmeekam
means ant-hill. As Lord Shiva is in the Vanmeekam, He is praised as Vanmeekanadhar. Those
afflicted with adverse snake planet aspects, pray in the shrine spraying turmeric
powder. There are five Naga idols before this shrine. Devotees
perform abishek to these idols with milk.
Sankaranarayana Shrine:
Lord
Sankaranarayana shrine is in between the shrines of Lord Shiva and Mother
Gomathi. The right side of the deity belonging to Lord Shiva has Agni the fire,
Ganga, crescent moon and the turf, ear ring, Rudraksha on the chest, Mazhu the
weapon of Lord Shiva and tiger skin clothing in waist. Sangan is holding the
umbrella in the Tiruvasi – the frame around the Lord.
On the
left, belonging to Lord Vishnu, appears with his gem studded crown, a hanging
ear ring-Kundalam-Tulsi bead and Lakshmi mala in chest, a conch and the silk-peethambara
around the waist. Paduman is holding the umbrella in this side. Tulsi
theertha is offered as Prasad during morning pujas. Vibhuti the sacred ash
is offered during other pujas.
Garlands of
Tulsi and flowers are offered during the pujas. Vilwa for Shiva and Tulsi for
Vishnu are used in pujas. Lord Shiva is fond of Abishek-bathing while Lord
Vishnu is fond of attractive dressing. Sankaranarayana always appears in his
best Alankara-dressing. Abishek in the shrine is offered to Lord
Chandramouleeswara the Spatika Linga-crystal Linga.
Pujas
are offered to him on Shivarathri and new moon days. He comes of the
shrine to grant darshan to Ambica on Aadi Thapasu festival day. During March
and September months, the rays of Sun fall on Sankaralingam for three days from
21st of the respective months.
Naga Sunai:
There is a Nagasunai (holy tank) inside the temple
premises, which was said to have been dug by serpent kings named Paduman and
Sangan. People, who take a bath in this holy tank, adore ant-hill earth on
their body and offer holy prayers to the presiding deities of this temple have
a permanent relief from all sorts of dreadful diseases.
Sthala Vriksham:
Sthala
Vriksham for the Temple is Punnai (Calophyllum inophyllum) Tree. Once upon a
time this area covered by these trees. In this temple this tree is in Western
Prakaram.
Snake Pit:
There is
a snake pit inside the temple and it is believed that applying the sand/mud
from the snake pit on one’s body can cure various diseases. Those who come
visit this temple also offer miniatures of snake, scorpion and other reptiles
to get rid of curses. These miniatures are sold outside and inside the temple
premises. The Puthu sand has healing properties. Maa Vilakku is an important
offering in this temple.