Nanalkadu Sri Thirukkasteeswarar Temple, Thoothukudi

Address

Nanalkadu Sri Thirukkasteeswarar Temple, Nanalkadu village, Thoothukudi District – 628252

Diety

Thirukkasteeswarar Amman: Sri Sivakamasundari

Introduction

Nanalkadu is located at a distance of 2 km from Vallanadu on the road from Vallanadu to Tirunelveli in Thoothukudi district. After a short distance on the road side, on the left is the Sri Thirukandiswarar Temple dedicated to Lord shiva. Similarly, this is the place where Thirukandiswarar graces the south. This is what is called ‘Tenkanchi’. This temple was once very popular. At present the mangrove trees and bushes lie on the mandik, giving the view without any tower. 100 years have passed since the redemption. It has a crumbling wall and a sloping perimeter wall. Yet the glory of Lord sthalam is immense. That is why if one comes to this temple on Friday and sits for three hours and the Guru anoints Shiva and Saneeswaran in one go, he gets the boon asked.

Puranic Significance

The gods and demons climbed the Mandara mountain and crossed the sea with the Vasuki snake as a rope. Suddenly Vasuki puke poison. Lord Shiva ingested the poison because the lives of the world would suffer in the heat of the day. This universe is in the motion of Easen. Ambal, realizing that if he was poisoned in the body, the lives of the world would perish, pressed Easen’s neck. Thus the poison did not enter the body, but remained in Easen’s neck. Thus he got the name ‘Thirukandiswarar’ In ancient times, the town was densely populated with reeds along the banks of the Thamirabarani River. Hence the place was hailed as ‘Darbaranyam’. It is said that Sivagami’s mother and Lord Shiva lived in this town and it was customary for mother Sivagami to bathe Amma by rubbing turmeric on the banks of the Thamirabarani. At one point the water of the Thamirabarani river was poisoned by a conspiracy of monsters. Seeing this, Lord Shiva ate the poisonous river himself and saved the gods and the people. The gods then demanded that “the river water should be prevented from being poisoned by anyone at any time.” Lord Shiva gave blessings accordingly. King Karunakara Pandian was rebuilding the Shiva temple at Murappanadu. During his time Lord Murugan was sitting in the reed forest lying on the Saravana. She is the only daughter of Karunakara Pandian. Saravana came to the false shore and worshiped Lord Murugan, the daughter of the king. Instead of going to the palace, she waited for this place. In the absence of a male heir, the emperor was concerned that the only daughter available would not come to the palace. Thus the daughter prayed to Eesan to return to the palace, the king. In this situation, some people wanted to get rid of the king ‘s daughter. For that they mixed poison in the offering and gave it to the princess. Then the princess’ parrot died of poisoning. The heartbroken princess repented to Lord Shiva She revived her meditation on the remnant Shiva and changed the princess’ mind and sent her to the palace. So it is considered that if you come to this temple and worship, you can overcome death. The temple dates back to the 14th or 15th century. The inscriptions in the temple say ‘Konerinmai Kondan’. The recipient of this title is Veerapandian. So it is said that this temple may have belonged to the time of this king.

Beliefs

It is said that a Kavirayar came to this town and asked for food and cursed that the people here would not get the blessings of Santhanam because no one was feeding him. People who wanted to get rid of this curse have consecrated and worshiped the idol of Santhan Gopala Krishna in the premises of this temple and have given birth to a child. It is also believed that death can be overcome by coming to this temple and worshiping. The theertham on the banks of the Thamirabarani is the Saptarishi theertham. Sapta Rishis also come here to worship Lord Shiva. So on Saturdays, it is said that if one bathes in Thamirabarani, puts on a black robe for Saturn, lights a sesame lamp and performs Achuvellam Naivetyam, Saturn Dosham will depart.

Special Features

Lord Shiva, who has attained the title of Easwara, bestows blessings from here in a private meeting. Dharpai Forest (Nanalkadu) is located on the banks of Thamirabarani Therefore, this place is also known as ‘South Thirunallar’. The Thamirabarani, which crawls in this area, flows from north to south and is popularly known as the ‘Dakshina Ganga’ Those who are unable to go to Thirunallar and Kasi can come to this place and worship Thirukandiswara and get the blessings of visiting Kasi, Thirunallar, Kanchi and Thiruchendur.

Festivals

The festivals of Pavurnami, Pradosham, Shivaratri and Thiruvathira are celebrated in this temple. If one anoints the Swami on the day of Pradosa and worships Vasti, Vanni leaf, Vilva leaf Saathi, Ven Pongal Naivedhyam, good work is available for those who are suffering without work. Devotees believe that if Sivagami Ambika is anointed on Tuesdays or Fridays and worshiped with green satti, pichippu or jasmine garland satti, sugar pongal naivetyam, the forbidden marriage will take place.