Thiruvenkadar Temple, Pappankulam, Thirunelveli
Thiruvenkadar Temple is dedicated to Hindu God Shiva
located at Pappankulam Village near Alwarkurichi in Thirunelveli District of
Tamilnadu. This temple is situated just opposite to Sri Ramaswamy temple,
a little far away on the eastern side. This is a beautiful temple and its
peaceful atmosphere will be liked by the devotees. It is considered one
of the Devara Vaippu Sthalam temples. Shiva Linga is made up of Chandrakanta
stone. The size of Shiva Linga appears differently when viewed from different
places. Presiding Deity is called as Thiruvenkadar and Mother is called as Vadakalai
Nayaki. Sthala Vriksham (holy tree) is Banyan tree.
Legends
Temple built by a Sculptor with the help of Pandya King:
Pandya King Aditya Varma, a staunch Shiva devotee,
built many Shiva temples. He employed Chadurvedi a master sculptor. The
sculptor did his job with a deep sense of devotion to the entire satisfaction
of the king. The king donated him lands. This came to be known as Chadurvedi
Mangalam. In the days followed, the sculptor landed in troubles in
life. Astrologers predicted that the cause of woes was but adverse aspect
of planets and advised him to build a Shiva temple with a Linga made of Chandrakanta
stone installing also all sub-deities and Navagrahas the nine planets. Chadurvedi
informed the king of his sufferings and plans to overcome the same. With the
help of the king, he built the temple on the land donated to him and also dug a
tank, called Kal Kurichi Kulam now. All the woes of the sculptor came to
an end. Lord was named Thiruvenkadar and Mother Vaadaa Kalai Nayaki.
Pappankulam:
As many species of birds and water beings as fish
etc. flourished in this place on the banks of Tamirabarani, the place was named
Pappangu meaning offspring of a bird. The name changed as Pappankulam in
the days followed.
Pandya Kings worshipped Lord Saneeshwara here:
The legend also says that the Pandya Kings
worshipped Lord Saneeshwara here and through his blessings got victories over
their enemies in wars. Thus, each and every deity here has been sculpted in its
own uniqueness.
The
Temple
The temple is small and it is east facing. The main shrine has slightly big Shiva Linga made up of Chandrakanta stone – Thiruvenkadar. The south facing shrine outside the Maha Mandapa has very attractive idol of Goddess Vadakalai Nayaki. The Shivalinga made of the Chandrakanta stones appears small if worshipped close from the Mandapam near the sanctum sanctorum and big if looked at from the Kodimaram-flag post.
Lord Shiva is praised as Thiruvenkadar as he had
come all the way to the place of this temple from the snow clad Kailash. During
the failure of monsoon, devotees perform Dhara Homa for rains. The result is
instantaneous as experienced by the people of the place. It is also a
miracle that a Garuda – the eagle – makes rounds on the sky during the Homa
ceremony. The idol of Sri Sani Bhagwan is made to rules. People pray to him
for relief from enemy threats.
The goddess Vaadaakalai Nayaki Ambal deity is
sculpted in very special way depicting her 32 expressions (Samudrika
Lakshnam) with minute skill in the single sculpture. Hence she is called as Vaadakalai
Nayaki (Vaada-never fading, Kalai-beauty aspects, Nayaki – Chief, Vaadaa Kalai
Nayaki). Devotees perform abishek to Mother on Mondays, Fridays and
Poornima days with milk, honey and sandal to realize their wishes.
Inside the main deity shrine, in one corner there is
an open shrine for a Siddhar who attained moksha here and he is laid to rest here,
about whose details are not available. It was learnt that on every full
moon day, this Siddhar shrine is beautifully decorated and special poojas are
performed to this Siddhar and large number of devotees will attend the poojas
to seek siddhar's Blessings.
The idol of Sri Subramanya – Muruga – with his
consorts Valli and Deivanai in sitting on the mayil (peacock) Vahana is made of
a single stone. Pillars, Mani Mandapa and the sculptures are made with minute
skills. Lord Guru Bhagwan shrine, the sculpture is sculpted with a nagam (snake)
under his feet which goes with the legend that whoever worships Lord Guru
Bhagwan here he will save them from the clutches of their Raghu Kethu
Dosha.
Lord Saneeswara shrine is also sculpted in a very
beautiful manner and the crow, his Vahana in stone sculpture will appear
as if a real crow standing under his feet, such a beautiful craftsmanship done
by the sculpture. A big and tall compound wall protects and surrounds the
temple. The temple has just one prakara. The temple does not have a tower. The
flag staff, Bali peetha and Nandi are all located facing towards the main
shrine.
The following deities are found there:
·
Suradeva
·
Two
Shiva Linga
·
Ganesha
in a sub shrine
·
Subramanya-Valli-Devasena
in a sub shrine
·
Bhairava
·
Adhikara
Nandi
·
Saneeswara
·
Dhakshinamoorthi
·
Chandikeswara
Presently, the temple is not in good shape. The
temple needs complete renovation to preserve its uniqueness and other special
features. Last Maha Kumbabishekam to this temple was done in 1945 as per culvert
findings. Members of Arul Nandhi Adigalar Peravai (club) are maintaining the
temple with two time pujas a day. Efforts are on for renovation and
consecration of the temple.
Temple
Opening Time
The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 8.00 a.m. and
from 5.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Festivals
Monthly Pradoshams, Annabishekam in October-November
and Maha Shivarathri in February-March are the festivals celebrated in the
temple.
Prayers
People pray to Sani Bhagwan in the temple for relief
from enemy threats. Devotees perform abishek to Mother Vaadaa Kalai Nayaki with
milk, honey and sandal on Mondays, Fridays and on Poornima-full moon day.
Contact
Sri Thiruvenkadar Temple,
Pappankulam – 627423,
Thirunelveli District
Mobile: +91 98949 62523
Connectivity
Pappankulam is located at about 4 Kms from
Alwarkurichi, 30 Kms from Tenkasi, 14 Kms from Ambasamudram, 55 Kms from
Thirunelveli, 98 Kms from Thoothukudi, 200 Kms from Madurai and 135 Kms from Thiruvananthapuram.
Pappankulam is located at about 55 Kms from Tirunelveli via Mukkudal and
Idaikal on the Kadayam route. From Tenkasi, this place is 30 km far via
Pottalpudhur. Bus facility is available from both ends. Nearest Railway
Station is located at Alwarkurichi and Ambasamudram. Nearest Airport is located
at Thoothukudi, Madurai and Thiruvananthapuram.