Pralayanathar Temple, Sholavandan, Madurai
Pralayanathar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Sholavandan Town in Madurai District of Tamilnadu. The temple is situated on the banks of Vaigai River in a green environment. Presiding Deity is called as Pralayanathar and Mother is called as Soundara Nayaki / Pralaya Nayaki.
The Town has been variously referred to as Janaka Puri, Solaikuruchi, Chinna Thanjai, Chaturvedipuram, Anandasakaram, Janakayambathi and Senagapuri. The Temple follows Shivagama Tradition. The Temple is believed to be 500 years old. This is an important temple for devotees seeking relief from Mars planet adversities.
Legends
Cholavandan:
There is a popular local myth, that a war between Chola and the Pandya kingdoms, resulted in the name. The invading Chola king, apparently got a sense of reverence and awe, seeing the intensive agriculture and scenic beauty of the village, irrigated by the Vaigai river; which reminded him of the Cauvery Delta region. He abandoned the war. The town was then named as Cholavandan (Cholan+Uvandan). Uvandan means getting awed, in Tamil. The place reminded him agriculturally prosperous famous Tanjore villages: and called this town as Chinna Thanjai.
Pralaya Nathar:
A few centuries ago, a Pandya king brought a Shivalinga from Kasi, installed it on the banks Vaigai River and was performing Shiva Puja. A devastating flood as a tsunami (Pralaya) took place them threatening total destruction of the place. People surrendered at the feet of Lord Shiva for safety. They were saved. As Lord saved the place and people from Pralaya floods, He is celebrated as Pralaya Nathar.
The Temple
For brief details, please refer below link;
Temple Opening Time
The temple remains open from 6.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. and from 4.30 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Festivals
Monthly Pradosham days; Shivarathri in February-March; Karthikai Mondays in November-December; Navarathri in September-October and Skanda Sashti in October-November are the days celebrated in the temple with much fanfare.
Prayers
Devotees pray to Mother Vishnu Durga in the temple when they are in any critical situation. They pray to the eight handed Mother on Tuesdays during the Rahu Kalam time (3.00 p.m. to 4.30 p.m.) lighting lamps on lime cups and perform archanas with red flowers. This prayer is believed to save them from obstacles intervening in marriage proposals, adverse aspects of Mars planet and any danger to the life of their husbands threatening their Mangal Sutras. Devotees offer abishek and Vastras to Lord.
Contact
Pralayanathar Temple,
Sholavandan – 624 215,
Madurai District
Phone: +91 4542 258 987
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 400 meters from Sholavandan Railway Feeder Road Bus Stop, 1 Km from Sholavandan Railway Station, 4.5 Kms from Thiruvedagam, 9 Kms from Vadipatti, 25 Kms from Madurai, 24 Kms from Madurai Railway Junction, 24 Kms from Madurai Periyar Bus Stand, 28 Kms from Madurai Mattuthavani Integrated Bus Terminus and 35 Kms from Madurai Airport. Nellai Express from Chennai stops at Sholavandan station (4.45 AM Arrival). There are buses frequently available to Sholavandan from Periyar Bus stand in Madurai.