Parakkai Mathusoothana Perumal Temple, Kanyakumari

Address

Parakkai Mathusoothana Perumal Temple, Kanyakumari

Parakkai,

KanyaKumari district,

Tamil Nadu 629601

Moolavar

Mathusoothana Perumal

Amman

Sridevi, Bhoodevi

Introduction

Introduction

• Deity: The Mathusoothana Perumal Temple, located in Parakkai Village, Kanyakumari District, Tamil Nadu, is dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
• Artistic Significance: The temple is celebrated for its mural paintings and exquisite stone carvings.
• Location:
  • 9 km from Nagercoil, 15 km from Kanyakumari, and 93 km from Thiruvananthapuram.
  • Nearest Railway Station: Nagercoil.
  • Nearest Airport: Thiruvananthapuram.

Puranic Significance

1. Legend of Pakshirajapuram:
   • The village derives its name from a unique story involving Garuda, the divine mount of Lord Vishnu.
   • A sculptor in Kanchipuram, devoted to Vishnu, carved an image of Garuda in wood, following the Shilpa Shastras (ancient texts on art). The image miraculously came to life and flew southward, reaching Parakkai.
   • After bathing in a tank near the temple, Garuda joyously exclaimed, “Kandaen Kulam” (I found the tank). As Garuda circled the temple deity, an artisan working on a pillar mistook it for an ordinary bird and injured it by throwing a chisel.
   • Garuda fell to the ground, crying “Madhusudhana” (a name of Lord Vishnu). A stone image of Garuda was later installed at the spot where it fell, and the village was named Pakshirajapuram (Land of the King of Birds).
2. Lord Madhusudhana:
   • Lord Vishnu is called Madhusudhana, referencing his slaying of the demons Madhu and Kaitabha.
3. Alternate Names: Parakkai is also known as Kezharmangalam and Paravaikasur.

Special Features

1. Historical Significance:
   • The temple is believed to be over 1300 years old.
2. Architecture:
   • The presiding deity, Lord Madhusudhana Perumal, is about five feet tall, with a serene countenance.
   • Vishnu is depicted with four hands:
     • Two holding the disc (Chakra) and conch (Shanka).
     • One in the Abhaya Hasta (gesture of protection).
     • Another resting on his left thigh.
   • He is flanked by Goddesses Lakshmi Devi and Bhoomadevi.
3. Sun Worship:
   • On the 10th day of the Tamil month of Chithirai, the sun’s rays fall directly on Lord Madhusudhana’s feet, a phenomenon celebrated with the Sun Pooja.
4. Prasadam:
   • The special offering is Kozhukattai (Amrithakalsam), shaped like a large coconut.
5. Garuda’s Stone Image:
   • A notable feature is the stone-carved image of Garuda, facing the deity.
6. Artistic Grandeur:
   • The temple features intricately carved pillars in the mandapam, depicting gods like Sayana Murthi.
   • Renowned for its mural paintings and detailed stonework, the temple is a haven for art enthusiasts.
7. Auspicious Visits:
   • It is considered highly auspicious to visit this temple after worshiping at the Sri Sthanumalayan Temple (dedicated to the Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva) in Suchindram, located en route to Kanyakumari.

Festivals

• The temple celebrates a variety of vibrant festivals, including:
  • Purattasi Brahmotsavam.
  • Panguni Uthiram.
  • Masi Makam.
  • Vaikasi Visakam.
  • Thiru Karthikai.
  • Vaikunda Ekadashi.
  • Sravana Deepam.

This has been extracted from,

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2018/01/mathusoothana-perumal-temple-parakkai-kanyakumari.html

Century/Period

1300 years old

Nearest Bus Station

Trivandrum

Nearest Railway Station

Nagercoil

Nearest Airport

Trivandrum

Location on Map

lightuptemple