Thilakeshwarar Temple, Devipattinam, Ramanathapuram
Thilakeshwarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to
Lord Shiva located at Devipattinam in Ramanathapuram District of Tamilnadu.
Presiding Deity is called as Thilakeshwarar and Mother is called as Soundaryanayaki.
This Temple is situated on the west side of the Devi Pattinam Bus Stand. Those
born of Kumbam Rasi pray here for any adverse planetary problems faced by them.
Legends
Lord Rama before his departure to Sri Lanka for the
battle with Ravana prayed Goddess Durga here for his victory and easy passage
over the sea to the island. Goddess Durga with her powers calmed down the sea
and made it easier for the Vanarasena to build a bridge over it. During the
ritual Lord Rama also installed nine vertical stones that represent the nine
planets and worshipped them so that nothing unforeseen happens during his
voyage. These stones are said to be powerful and are still visible in the calm
sea. It was believed that Ramar on the way to Ayodhya worshiped Lord Shiva
of this temple with ‘el” a variety of millet.
History
The temple also comes under Ramanathapuram Samasthanam.
The temple is estimated to be of more than 1000 years old and Chozha period
inscriptions can be found in the Athistanam.
The
Temple
The temple is facing east with a 5 tier Rajagopuram. Palipeedam,
Dwajasthambam and Nandhi are found facing the sanctum immediately after the
Rajagopuram. The sanctum sanctorum consists of Sanctum, Arthamandapam and a
Mahamandapam. Presiding Deity is called as Thilakeshwarar. Dhakshinamoorthy,
Lingothbavar and Durgai in place of Brahma are the Koshta Idols located on the
sanctum walls.
Mother is called as Soundaryanayaki. Mother is situated in
the Mahamandapam facing south in standing posture and Bairavar. There are
shrines for Adhi Durgai, Vinayagar and Murugan in the Artha Mandapam. There are
shrines for Nagars, Dhakshinamoorthy, Vinayagar, Sandikeswarar and Murugan
without Valli Devasena in the outer prakaram. Sthala Vriksham is Vilwa Tree and
Theertham is called as Sivaganga Theertham.
Temple
Opening Time
The Temple remains open from 07.30 AM to 12.00 Noon and
05.00 PM to 08.00 PM.
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 100 meters from Devipattinam
Bus Stand, 700 meters from Devipattinam Navabashanam Temple, 15 Kms from Ramanathapuram,
15 Kms from Ramanathapuram Railway Station, 67 Kms from Rameswaram, 25 Kms from
Thirupullani and 134 Kms from Madurai International Airport. Buses from Ramanathapuram
Bus stand to Devakottai Passes through this place.
