Shankara Narayanan Temple & Arthanareeswarar
Temple, Thirunattalam, Kanyakumari
Shankara
Narayanan Temple & Arthanareeswarar Temple is twin Hindu Temples located at
Thirunattalam Village in Kanyakumari District of Tamilnadu. The first temple, Shankara
Narayanan Temple, the main god is Lord Vishnu and Lord Siva. Therefore, god is
called as Sankaranarayanar. The second temple, Arthanareeswarar Temple, the
main god is Lord Siva and Lord Parvathi in half Shiva & half Parvathi. Therefore,
the presiding deity is called as Arthanareeswarar. The shrine is the twelfth
and last in the Shivalaya Ottam sequence. It is only after worshipping Vishnu
at the Shankara Narayanan temple, the divine run is considered complete.
Legends
Vyakrapada,
the Shiva devotee was chasing Bhima who was chanting Lord Vishnu's name. The
legend of the temple states that Shiva and Vishnu gave darshan together to
Vyakrapada here at Thirunattalam to make him understand that both are one.
The
Temple
There are
two temples in this village situated on either side of the Temple Tank. The
temple is constructed in Kerala style, made of stone with tiled roof. Pillars
with sculptures adorn around the temple. There is a Kodimaram in front of the
temple.
The
first temple, Shankara Narayanan Temple, the main god is Lord Vishnu and Lord
Siva. Therefore, god is called as Sankaranarayanar. The idol there is
suggesting that Hari (Vishnu) and Haran (Siva) are one and same.
The second
temple, Arthanareeswarar Temple, the main god is Lord Siva and Lord Parvathi in
half Shiva & half Parvathi. Therefore, the presiding deity is called as Arthanareeswarar.
He is also called as Thirukkannapar / Mahadevar. This is the main worship place
of Shivarathri and Shivalaya Ottam.
There is
a holy tank between these two temples. It is the only temple in Travancore
where Brahma's idol found. The shrine is the twelfth and last in the Shivalaya
Ottam sequence. It is only after worshipping Vishnu at the Shankara Narayanan
temple, the divine run is considered complete. The famous Christian devotee
Martyr Devasahayam Pillai born in Nattalam. Now there was a church built in
his place of birth and prayers are going regularly, Friday mass are special for
the church.
Temple
Opening Time
The
Temple remains open from 5.00 AM to 11.00 AM and 5.00 PM to 8.00 PM.
Poojas
There
are morning and evening poojas in this temple. On Shivarathri day there will be
four special Yama Poojas, in every two hours from 10 PM. After the fourth
Yama pooja, by 4 AM, devotees will get Vibhuti and prasadam, which
indicates their Shivarathri fast is over.
Festivals
Maha
Shivarathri, Panguni Utsavam, Chithirai Pournami, Krishna Jayanthi and
Pradosham, Shivalaya Ottam are the important festivals in this temple. On
the day of Shivarathri, devotees of Lord Siva will finish their
24-hour marathon in Thirunattalam starting from Thirumalai. It is the 12th
temple in this marathon.
Connectivity
The
Temple is located at about 6 Kms from Marthandam, 8 Kms from Kuzhithurai, 12
Kms from Thuckalay, 13 Kms from Colachel, 16 Kms from Eraniel, 12 Kms from Thiruvattaru,
17 Kms from Kulasekharam, 27 Kms from Nagercoil, 50 Kms from Kanyakumari, 15
Kms from Vilavancode and 50 Kms from Thiruvananthapuram. Buses, autos, taxis
are available from Marthandam to the temple. Buses and taxis also ply from
Kulasekharam, Thuckalay, Nagercoil etc. Nearest Railway Station is located at Kuzhithurai
(6 Kms) and Nearest Airport is located at Thiruvananthapuram (50 Kms).
