Shivalayam Ottam 12- Thirunattalam Shankara Narayanan Temple & Arthanareeswarar Temple, Kanyakumari

Address

Shivalayam Ottam 12- Thirunattalam Shankara Narayanan Temple & Arthanareeswarar Temple, Thirunattalam Village, Kanyakumari district – 629195.

Deity

Shankara Narayanan & Arthanareeswarar

Introduction

• Location:
  • Situated in Thirunattalam Village, Kanyakumari District, Tamil Nadu.
  • Approximately 6 km from Marthandam, 8 km from Kuzhithurai, and 50 km from Thiruvananthapuram.
  • Nearest railway station is at Kuzhithurai (6 km), and the nearest airport is at Thiruvananthapuram (50 km).

Temple Significance

• The complex consists of two temples:
  • Shankara Narayanan Temple: Dedicated to Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva, referred to as Sankaranarayanar.
  • Arthanareeswarar Temple: Dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, depicted as half Shiva and half Parvati, known as Arthanareeswarar. This temple also features the idol known as Thirukkannapar or Mahadevar.
• The shrine is the twelfth and last in the Shivalaya Ottam sequence, indicating that worshipping at the Shankara Narayanan Temple must precede the divine run.

Puranic Significance

• The legend recounts Vyakrapada, a devotee of Shiva, chasing Bhima, who was chanting Lord Vishnu’s name. To enlighten Vyakrapada that Shiva and Vishnu are one, both deities manifested together at Thirunattalam.
• The temples are over 1000 years old, constructed in the traditional Kerala style with stone and tiled roofs, adorned with sculpted pillars.
• A Kodimaram (sacred post) stands in front of the temple, and there is a holy tank situated between the two temples.
• Notably, this temple complex is the only one in Travancore that features an idol of Brahma.

Festivals

• The temple conducts regular morning and evening poojas.
• Special observances on Shivarathri include four Yama Poojas every two hours starting from 10 PM. After the last pooja at 4 AM, devotees receive Vibhuti and prasadam, marking the end of their fast.
• Important festivals celebrated include:
  • Maha Shivarathri
  • Panguni Utsavam
  • Chithirai Pournami
  • Krishna Jayanthi
  • Pradosham
  • Shivalaya Ottam

Century/Period/Age

1000 Years old

Managed By

Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments Department (HRCE)

Nearest Bus Station

Thirunattalam

Nearest Railway Station

Kuzhithura

Nearest Airport

Thiruvananthapuram.

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