Ambasamudram Kasinathaswami Temple- Thirunelveli

Address

Ambasamudram,

Thirunelveli District, Tamil Nadu – 627 401

Phone: +91 – 4634 – 253 921

Mobile: +91 – 98423 31372 / 93658 41179 / 98423 31372

Moolavar

Kasibanathar (Kasinathar)

Amman

Maragathambigai

Introduction

Kasinathaswami Temple is dedicated to God Shiva located at Ambasamudram in Thirunelveli District of Tamilnadu. The temple is located on the Northern bank of the Thamirabarani River. Presiding Deity is called as Kasibanathar (Kasinathar) and Mother is known as Maragathambigai. As Mother in this Temple is all merciful like an ocean, the place is named as Amba (Mother) Samudram (ocean).Gooseberry or Amla is the Sthala Viruksham (holy tree) here. Theertham of this temple is known as Tambiraparani. Kumbabishekam of this temple had been performed on 29.04.2009.

Puranic Significance

Sage Kashyapa had darshan of Lord Shiva:

Sage Kashyapa performed a Yagna dedicated to Lord Shiva and had the Darshan of Lord. The sage begged the Lord for a Linga for his puja and he was granted the wish. The sage installed the Linga now known as Kashyapa Linga and later changed as Kasipa Linga.

Kannadian Canal:

A king of Kerala fell ill which could not be cured by the best physicians of that day. A voice advised the king to make a doll of black dhil (Ellu), transfer the disease to the doll and donate it to a Brahmin. King followed the advice. A poor Karnataka Brahmin youth accepted the doll donation. The king also gifted to him valuable gems and diamonds. The doll became alive and told the youth that it would leave him if he parted with it half the benefit of the Gayathri mantra chanting he had done so far. The youth agreed and freed him from the disease he acquired from the king through the doll. The youth wanted to spend the material gifts he got for a public cause. He proceeded to Pothigai hills to seek the advice of Sage Agasthya. Before leaving, he left his valuables with the Archaka of the temple to get it back after his return. The Archaka gave the youth a dal bag when he returned saying it was the bag he was given originally. The youth took the case to the king. When asked to depose before the Lord, the priest unhesitatingly spoke lie in the temple. Angry Lord burnt the priest. The youth begged the Lord to restore the priest to life again and the merciful Lord responded to youth’s prayer. Based on this event, Lord Shiva is named Erithatkondar and Erichudayar. Erithal in Tamil means burning. The first puja is dedicated to Erithatkondar in the temple. The youth spent the wealth he got from the king by digging a canal known as Kannadian (native of Karnataka) canal which passes through between Kallidaikurichi and Ambasamudram. Even after burning the priest for his fraud, Lord did not become normal in temperament and continued to be furious. Mother Parvathi requested Lord Vishnu to cool him down and restore him to mercy as before. Perumal brought Shiva to normalcy. Perumal graces in the temple from a shrine opposite Shiva shrine.

Beliefs

People pray for relief from material desires and to develop in themselves a mentality to serve people. Devotees perform special abishek to Lord and Mother and offer silk Parivattam to Swami (turban) and silk sari to Ambal.

Special Features

The temple is said to be more than 1500 years old. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is worshipped as Kasinathaswamy or Kasipanathar. Lord Shiva is Swayambu lingam. Mother (Goddess Parvathi) of this temple is worshipped as Maragathambigai. Mother Maragathambigai is a gracious god who is fulfilling all the wishes of her devotees. As Mother is all merciful as an ocean, the place is named as Amba Samudram (ocean). This temple has Lord Nataraja who is worshipped as Punugu Sabapathy. On the Thai Poosam day special pooja is performed to him. Perumal graces in the temple from a shrine opposite Shiva shrine. The temple is located on the banks of Tamirabarani River. The temple measures 440×260 feet with two praharams. Those seeking child boon offer bangles in the shrine and hang cradles. Sthala Vriksham is Amla (Gooseberry). According to Agama Rules, six time puja is followed in the temple. The east facing temple of Kasibanatha Swami is magnificent in size. The location is very calm and scenic. The main region of the temple is built in the ‘maada kovil’ architectural style (raised platforms).

The sanctum sanctorum of the God as well as the shrine of the Goddess is located atop the platform. The main shrine has moolasthanam (sanctum), ardha mandapa, maha mandapa and a front side pillared mandapa. There are two prakaras around the main shrine. The area connecting the temple and the main entrance is huge and is in the form of a pillared mandapa with its roof covered. Rajagopuram has been constructed recently. The entire temple complex is covered by the thick fortress walls.

Main Shrine:

The sanctum sanctorum is facing the east direction. It houses a small Shiva Linga named as Kasibanatha Swami. The entrance of ardha mandapa has an idol of Ganesha. In the maha mandapa, there is a beautiful painting of Sivakami and Nataraja. Nandi is installed in the Maha mandapa facing towards Lord Shiva. There are many pillars with sculptures in the maha mandapa. The entrance of maha mandapa has another idol of Ganesha called as ‘Anugnai Vinayaka’. As this region of the temple is located on a raised platform (maada kovil), there is also a front side pillared mandapa. The steps that lead to this mandapa too have few beautiful sculptures. In this front side mandapa the main shrine of the Goddess Maragathambigai is found; she is found in the standing posture with a flower on her right arm.

Special Shrines:

The shrine of big Shiva Linga named as Eritthatkondaar which is associated with the legend of the site is located in the inner prakara. The Nandi idol is placed facing this shrine. In addition there is another shrine for Vishnu located opposite to this shrine. It is believed that he calmed down Lord Shiva. He is standing on “Aavudai”. He has four arms holding conch and discus in his upper arms.

Theerthams:

· Devi · Shala · Deepa · Kasiba · Kirumikara · Gokila · Purushothama It is believed that Thamirabarani is a confluence of all these seven Theerthams.

Festivals

Two Brahmotsavams, one in Aipasi (October-November) and the other in Panguni (March-April), Shivaratri in February-March and Tirukarthikai in November-December are the festivals celebrated in the temple.

References

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2017/03/kasinathaswami-temple-ambasamudram_6.html