Kottarakulam Sankaralingaswami Temple - Thirunelveli

Address

Kottarakulam Sankaralingaswami Temple – Thirunelveli

Kodarankulam,

Thirunelveli District, Tamil Nadu,

Phone: +91 – 4634 – 223 821 / 221821

Moolavar

Sankaralingaswami

Amman

Gomathi.

Introduction

The Sankaralingaswami Temple is located in Kottarakulam Village, near Ambasamudram Town in Thirunelveli District, Tamil Nadu. It is a sacred temple dedicated to the worship of Rahu and Kethu, two important celestial bodies in Hindu astrology. The temple is also known as Chinna Sankaran Koil and is over 1500 years old. The presiding deity is Sankaralingaswami, and the goddess is Mother Gomathi.

Puranic Significance

Sankaralingam:
According to legend, there was a devotee of Lord Shiva who lived by collecting alms. Before eating, he would offer a small portion of rice to the crows, a tradition in some families. One day, the crow took the rice to a nearby jungle, placed it on a spot, and worshipped there with flowers. Digging at that spot, the crow discovered a Swayambu (self-manifested) Linga and began performing puja (worship) with flowers. When the devotee didn’t return to the village, he was found immersed in the Shiva Linga. This place came to be known as Sankaralingam.
Aadi Thapasu:
Mother Uma, in her efforts to establish the equality of Lord Shiva and herself, undertook a severe penance in the month of Aadi (July-August). In response to her penance, Lord Shiva granted her a combined darshan (vision) as Sankara Narayana (a form combining both Lord Shiva and Vishnu). This event is celebrated during the Aadi Thapasu festival, a significant event in this temple and also in Kodarankulam, located near Ambasamudram on the banks of the Tambiraparani and Manimuthar Rivers. Lord Shiva is said to possess the powers of Rahu and Ketu here.

Beliefs

Devotees come to pray for unity, simplicity, and the development of love for all.
Abishekams (ritual baths) are performed to both Lord Sankaralingaswami and Mother Gomathi, and vastras (clothes) are offered.
Ant-hill sand is given as Prasad (holy offering), and it is believed that consuming it with water can cure ailments.
For devotees facing issues related to poisonous creatures like lizards, scorpions, and snakes, it is a common practice to offer silver plates embossed with images of these creatures to seek relief.

Special Features

Lord Sri Sankaranarayana is the main deity in the temple, representing the combined form of Lord Shiva and Vishnu.
Vinayaka (Lord Ganesha) is worshipped here as Anugnai Vinayaka (the remover of obstacles).
The temple is notable for its 9-tier Rajagopuram (temple tower).
Lord Sankaralingaswami faces north in the sanctum, with two snakes depicted on His body—one in front and one behind.
People seeking protection from snake and scorpion bites often place metal plates embossed with figures of these creatures in the hundi (offering box). Pepper and salt are also placed in the shrine for protection.
Mother Gomathi is believed to have been named Gomathi (meaning “bright like the full moon”) by the Devas, as they appeared to her in the form of cows (Go means cows, Mathi means bright). She is also known as Aavudai Amman due to her protection of the cows.
During the Aadi Thapasu, Mother Gomathi appears from a Mandapam (pavilion), and Lord Shiva manifests as Sankara Narayana and Sankara Lingam.
Adhikara Nandhi (the sacred bull of Lord Shiva) is placed at the entrance, along with his consort Suyajadevi. Another Nandhi is placed under a Rudraksha Pandal (tent) before the sanctum.
The rays of the sun fall on the Sankaralingam for three days, starting from the 21st of March and September, illuminating the deity.

Festivals

Aadi Thapasu (July-August): The main festival celebrating Mother Gomathi’s penance.
Brahmmotsavam (Panguni-Chithirai): A 41-day festival held in March-May, celebrating the marriage of Lord Shiva and Mother Gomathi.
Aipasi Wedding Festival (October-November): A significant event where the divine wedding of Lord Shiva and Mother Gomathi is celebrated.
Thai Float Festival (January-February): A procession in honor of the deities with float offerings.
Chithirai and Margazhi Festivals: These celebrate the vision of Lord Shiva seated on his bull vehicle, Nandhi, granting Darshan to the 63 Nayanmars (saints) in the months of April-May and December-January.