Nandeeswarar Temple, Thirunanthikarai, Kanyakumari
Nandeeswarar
Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Thirunanthikarai in
Kanyakumari District of Tamilnadu. The temple is a part of the famed Shivalaya
Ottam conducted during Shivaratri. It is the fourth temple in the run sequence.
The Temple is located on the banks of Nandiyaru.
Legends
Tirunandeeswaram:
A bull
in the region was threatening the residents. All prayed to Lord Shiva to
contain its violence and the Lord obliged. While pulling, the bull fell in a
pit and could not come out. It became the Nandhi of the temple. The
installation is designed as if it is in the pit. As the Lord Himself installed
it, the place is called Tirunandeeswaram. The symbols of the bull foot and the
rope are still visible in the temple.
Nandhi growing in Size:
There is
a statue of Nandi which is placed in front Lord Siva. Local fables describe
that the bull came from the rock near the temple and took place in front of the
Lord. They believe that the bull is growing as the years pass.
Sage
Vyakarapadhar worshipped Lord Shiva here:
Sage Vyakarapadhar visited this place and worshipped
Lord Shiva here.
Sage Parasurama got relieved of his sin of killing his
mother here:
Sage
Parasurama sought relief from the sin of killing his own mother by worshipping
Lord Nandeeswarar.
History
The
temple is believed to have been built by King Rajaraja Chola. The place is
called Thirunanthikarai in honour of an ascetic named Veeranandi, who carved
the rock cut cave temple.
The
Temple
Presiding
Deity is called as Nandeeswarar. Lord Shiva is a Swayambumurthy. The Nandi
(bull vehicle of Lord Shiva) in the temple was installed by Lord Himself, according
to tradition. A wild bull while being brought by Lord Shiva behaved rudely near
a hill here. The foot print of the bull and that of the rope used to drag it
are still visible in the hill path. The installation is designed as if it is in
the pit.
The significance
of the temple lies in its Nakshatra Mandapam (hall of stars). There are 27
holes called Ganadwaras representing the 27 star regions. Though the temple is
the abode of the Lord Shiva, a shrine of Lord Vishnu is also present in the
temple facing Lord Shiva. There are shrines for Ganapathy, Vishnu, Sastha and
Nagar in the corridor (prakara) of the temple. The temple is built based on
Kerala architectural style.
The
Vimanam(roof) of the sanctum is conical and tiled. There is pond near by the
temple and a garden with varieties of vegetation. There is an ancient rock-cut
cave temple situated towards the northern side of this temple. The ancient rock
cut cave temple belonging to Jains, where later a Shivalingam was installed is
next to this shrine. This temple has inscriptions of the king Varaguna Pandiya (9th century
ACE) and Rajaraja Chozhan (11th
century ACE).
Temple
Opening Time
The
temple remains open from 6.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Festivals
Tiruvadhirai
in Margazhi (December-January) and Mahasivarathri in Masi (February-March) are
the important festivals celebrated in the temple besides special pujas on
Mondays (Somavaram) and Pradosha days. The temple is a part of the famed
Shivalaya Ottam conducted during Mahasivarathri. On the Mahasivarathri day,
devotees run from one Shiva temple to the other. The distance between the
temples is 100 km. Even today, this practice is followed by the people in Thirunanthikarai.
Prayers
As the
Nandhi in the temple had been installed by Lord Shiva Himself, it is said that
this is choice temple for worship on Pradosha days (the 13th day
either from New Moon or full moon days). This is an ideal temple for those
seeking to mend their wicked mind with sins of serious crimes as murder
committed knowingly or unknowingly. Devotees pay their gratitude to the Lord
and Mother by performing abishek and offering vastras – clothes. Generally,
devotees go around the Prakaras thrice in the temples. But it is said that even
a single round blesses the devotee in this temple with the huge benefit of
doing so throughout the year.
Connectivity
The Temple is located on Marthandam to Pechiparai road
at a walkable distance from Thirunanthikarai Bus Stop. Thirunanthikarai is
located at about 4 Kms from Kulasekharam, 6 Kms from Pechiparai, 7 Kms from Thirparappu,
9 Kms from Thiruvattaru, 15 Kms from Marthandam, 20 Kms from Kuzhithurai, 20
Kms from Thuckalay, 23 Kms from Eraniel, 21 Kms from Padmanabhapuram, 30 Kms
from Colachel, 32 Kms from Nagercoil, 57 Kms from Kanyakumari and 60 Kms from Thiruvananthapuram.
Nearest Railway Station is located at Kuzhithurai and Eraniel. Nearest Airport
is located at Thiruvananthapuram.