Mathusoothana Perumal Temple, Parakkai, Kanyakumari
Mathusoothana
Perumal Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu located at Parakkai
Village in Kanyakumari District of Tamilnadu. This Temple is renowned for its
mural paintings and for its exquisite art on stone. Parakkai is also known as Pakshirajapuram,
Kezharmangalam and Paravaikasur.
Legends
Pakshirajapuram:
According
to a legend, a sculptor who was an ardent devotee of the Lord etched an image
of Garuda in wood while in Kanchipuram and as the bird was made according to
Shilpa Shastras, it came to life and flew Southwards. After arriving at the
Parakkai village, Garuda, it is said, had a dip in the tank in front of the
temple and exclaimed "kandaen kulam", with joy. Immediately after, he
hovered around the deity as though he was making a Pradikshina and began to fly
away.
An
artisan, who was renovating a pillar at the temple, saw the bird and hurled a
chisel at it. The bird fell down crying `Madhusudhana', much to the shock and
disbelief of the man. As a result, its right wing suffered a wound. A stone
image was later carved at the spot where he fell. The village came to be known
as Pakshirajapuram as per this legend.
Other Names:
Parakkai
is also known as Pakshirajapuram, Kezharmangalam and Paravaikasur.
Madhusudhana Perumal:
It is
also said Lord Vishnu came to be known as Madhusudhana after he slew the demons
Madhu and Kaidapan.
The
Temple
The
presiding deity, Lord Madhusudhana Perumal, in majestic splendour, with a
serene countenance and four arms, is nearly five feet in height. Lord Vishnu
appears in the form of Madhusudhana with four hands. While, two hands hold the
disc and conch, the other right hand is held aloft in abaya Hastha position and
the left rests on the left thigh. He is seen with Goddesses Lakshmi Devi and
Bhoomadevi.
The sun
rays falling directly on this Perumal's feet on the 10th day of the month of Chithirai,
hence Sun pooja is performed here with much fanfare. The prasadam here for the
Moolavar is Kozhukattai (Amrithakalsam.) in the shape of a big coconut. A
noteworthy feature of the temple is the stone image of Garuda facing the deity.
This Temple is renowned for its mural paintings and for its exquisite art on
stone.
Most of
the pillars supporting the roof of the mandapam leading to
the sanctum sanctorum contain numerous images of gods including the
Sayana Murthi etched magnificently. The temple is a delight for those with
taste for art. Visiting the shrine after going to the Sri Sthanumalayan temple
dedicated to the Trinity at Suchindram, (located on the way to Kanyakumari near
here), is considered very auspicious.
Connectivity
The
Temple is located at about 3.5 Kms from Suchindram, 4 Kms from Suchindram
Thanumalayan Temple, 9 Kms from Nagercoil, 15 Kms from Kanyakumari and 93 Kms
from Thiruvananthapuram. Nearest Railway Station is located at Nagercoil and
Nearest Airport is located at Thiruvananthapuram.
