Keela Pathai Kulashekharanatha Mahalingam Temple, Thirunelveli

Address

Keela Pathai Kulashekharanatha Mahalingam Temple, Thirunelveli

Keela Pathai, Thirunelveli District,

Tamil Nadu – 627501

Mobile: +91 94866 43260 / 98840 28541

Moolavar

Kulashekharanatha Mahalingam

Amman

Sugandha Kundalambikai / Avudai Nayaki.

Introduction

The Kulashekharanatha Mahalingam Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is a significant religious site located in the village of Pathai near Kalakkad in Thirunelveli District, Tamil Nadu, India.

Puranic Significance:

The Kulashekharanatha Mahalingam Temple stands as a unique blend of regional influences from three major South Indian dynasties: the Chera dynasty (associated with King Kulasekhara), the Chola dynasty (Goddess Sugandha Kundalambikai), and the Pandya dynasty (the temple’s architectural style). The temple’s age is estimated to be more than 1500 years old.
The temple has numerous inscriptions on its walls, providing valuable historical insights and highlighting the shrine’s significance during different periods of history.

Beliefs:

Devotees visit this temple to seek the fulfillment of various wishes and to pray for good health, free from illness. Rituals like abhishekam (sacred bathing) and aradhanas (offerings) are performed to worship Lord Shiva and Mother Sugandha Kundalambikai, and devotees often offer clothing as a symbol of devotion.

Special Features:

The temple is known for having two Shiva Lingas as its presiding deities. The principal deity is Lord Kulasekhara Nathar, praised as Kulasekharam Udayar, with a unique five-faced Shiva Linga.
The main goddess of the temple is Mother Sugandha Kundalambikai, who resides in a separate shrine. There is also a niche inside the temple for the goddess Sugandha Kundalambikai. The temple faces west.
The temple also houses another presiding deity, Pallathu Udayar, a Swayambhu Murthy (self-manifested Linga). This deity is also known by various names, including Tirupura Hareswarar, Adhi Nathar, Thanezhundha Nayanar, and Pazhayon.
There is a standing idol of Mother Avudai Nayaki (also known as Gomathi Amman and Tiripura Sundari) in the shrine south of the main sanctum sanctorum.
The temple features separate shrines dedicated to Subramanya, Chandikeswara, Saneeswara (Shani/Saturn), Kanni Moola Ganapathy, Dakshinamurthy, Yogeeswara, and Kala Bhairava, all located in the outer courtyard around the main sanctum.
A Dwajasthambam (flagpole) and an intricately carved Nandi (the sacred bull, the mount of Lord Shiva) can be found at the temple, facing the main deity. Several vahanas (divine mounts) and processional idols (Utsava Vigraha) are also present, even though some of these are kept at Nellaiyappar Temple in Thirunelveli for safe-keeping after a theft attempt.

Festivals:

The temple observes monthly Pradosha pujas. The grand celebration of Maha Shivaratri in February-March is a significant annual festival at the temple.

The Kulashekharanatha Mahalingam Temple is a place of rich historical, religious, and cultural significance, preserving traditions and beliefs that have been upheld for centuries.