Kadayanallur Neelamaninathar Temple (Kariamanicka Perumal Temple) - Thirunelveli

Address

Kadayanallur Neelamaninathar Temple (Kariamanicka Perumal Temple) – Thirunelveli

Thirunelveli District,

Tamil Nadu– 627 751

Mobile: +91 – 99657 61050

Moolavar

Neelamaninathar / Kariamanicka Perumal

Amman

Mahalakshmi.

Introduction

Neelamaninathar Temple, also called as Kariamanicka Perumal Temple is located at Kadayanallur in Thirunelveli District of Tamilnadu. Presiding Deity is called as Neelamaninathar / Kariamanicka Perumal and Mother is called as Mahalakshmi. Historically this place is called as Arjuna Kshetra. Kadayanallur is located at about 135 Kms from Madurai on the Tenkasi road. Kadayanallur is located at about 69 Kms from Thirunelveli. Nearest Railway Station is located at Kadayanallur and Tenkasi. Nearest Airport is located at Madurai and Thiruvananthapuram.

Puranic Significance

Arjuna, after his victory in the Kurukshetra war came here with his men to cleanse himself of the sin of killing many. He went to Pothigai hills, bathed in the Holy Tambiraparani. On his way, he stayed under a Marudha tree for rest. Lord Vishnu appeared in his dream and said that He was near a Marudha tree and advised him to worship there for total cleansing of the sins. Arjuna waking up from the sleep saw the Lord in idol form with his consorts and worshipped the Swayambu idols. The king who ruled this region then built the temple. The Temple is believed to be 1500 years old.

Beliefs

Those facing obstacles in wedding proposals and those annoyed about the welfare of children due to adverse planetary aspects pray to Lord offering rice made of curry leaves and porridge-payasam on Tiruvonam star day hoping to get relieve from the problems. Devotees perform Sudarsana Homa here for relief from fear of threats and success in endeavors. Devotees perform special Tirumanjanam to Lord and Mother. Those unable to execute their prayer commitments in Tirupathi do it here as Lord Neelamaninathar in a standing form is but a replica of Venkatachalapathy.

Special Features

Presiding deity Lord Neelamani Nathar praised as Karia Manicka Perumal in Tamil blesses the devotees from the sanctum sanctorum in a standing posture with his consorts Mothers Sri Bhoodevi and Sri Neeladevi. As Arjuna worshipped here, the place is called Arjunapuri Kshetra. Lord Sudarsana-the deity of the discus of Perumal graces from a separate shrine with 16 hands. Two lions below the peetam are bearing Lord Sudarsana and Lord Yoga Narasimha behind him.

The other wonder exclusively in the temple is a five hooded serpent below Lord Narasimha. Though a Vishnu temple, the temple has shrines for Lord Dakshinamurthy belonging to Shiva attributes. He blesses the devotees with two disciples (generally Lord Dakshinamurthy has four disciples), a difference from other places. His form too is different as that of Lord Aiyappan.

The other significance that Muyalagan under his feet (symbol of ignorance has his head on the left side against the usual right. There are two Anjaneya on the pillars, one as Baktha Anjaneya and the other with his left hand on the chest and the right upward. There are shrines for Mother Mahalakshmi, Sri Andal and Vishwaksenar.