Neelakandeswarar Temple, Kalkulam, Kanyakumari
Neelakandeswarar
Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Kalkulam near Padmanabhapuram
in Kanyakumari District of Tamilnadu. The temple is a part of the famed
Shivalaya Ottam conducted during Shivaratri. It is the seventh temple in the
run sequence. Presiding Deity is called as Neelakandeswarar / Mahadevar. Mother
is called as Ananthavalli. In architecture as well as in rituals, the temple is
different to the other Sivalayams in the area.
Legends
Sage
Vyakarapadhar visited this place and worshipped Lord Shiva here.
History
This
town was the capital of the erstwhile Tiruvidangur state. The kings
who ruled from this town and the other kings like Thirumalai Nayakar have
done lots of service to this temple. The shrine is believed to have been built
during the rule of Marthanda Varma. Tirumala Nayakar installed the Goddess in
the shrine. Situated very close to Padmanabhapuram, the erstwhile capital of
Travancore, the temple is believed to have been a sanctum of worship for the
rulers.
Kalkulam
was among several in Thiruvananthapuram district that with the passage of the States Reorganization Act of
1956 were transferred
from Thiruvananthapuram district, Travancore-Cochin State to the newly created Kanyakumari District of Madras
State (the latter later renamed
as Tamil Nadu State).
The
Temple
Presiding
Deity is called as Neelakandeswarar / Mahadevar. Mother is called as Ananthavalli.
This temple is the only temple in the twelve Shivalaya Ottam Temples where
there is a big gopuram (tower). And also it is the only temple in the
twelve where there is an exclusive Sanctum for Goddess. This temple is a
mixture of both Tamilnadu and Keralite styles of temples. Every year, there is
a tank festival in the temple tank. The huge gopuram has sculpted figures
adorning it. The stone mandapam, various carvings in the shrine, the golden
Kodimaram, the vast temple pond enhances the beauty of the shrine.
Temple
Opening Time
The
Temple remains open from 5.00 AM to 11.00 AM and 5.00 PM to 8.00 PM.
Festivals
·
Shivaratri
·
Thiruvadirai
·
Margazhi festival
·
Navaratri Utsavam
·
Vijayadasami Theppam
·
Panguni Uthiram Peruvizha
·
Thirukalyanam
Connectivity
The
Temple is located at about 600 meters from Padmanabhapuram Palace, 4 Kms from Kumaracoil,
2 Kms from Padmanabhapuram, 23 Kms from Vilavancode, 15 Kms from Marthandam, 19
Kms from Kuzhithurai, 14 Kms from Thiruvattaru, 13 Kms from Nattalam, 3 Kms
from Thuckalay, 14 Kms from Colachel, 14 Kms from Nagercoil, 6 Kms from Eraniel,
40 Kms from Kanyakumari and 60 Kms from Thiruvananthapuram. Thuckalay is well
connected to other parts of the state by road. Buses, autos, taxis are
available from Thuckalay to the temple. Buses and Taxis also ply from
Kulasekharam, Marthandam Nagercoil etc. Nearest Railway Station is located at Eraniel
and Nearest Airport is located at Thiruvananthapuram.
