Parthibanur Sankaranar Temple, Ramanathapuram

Address

Parthibanur Sankaranar Temple, Ramanathapuram

Parthibanur,

Ramanathapuram District,

Tamil Nadu 623 608

Mobile: +91 94420 47977 / 99767 11487

Moolavar

Sankaranar / Sundareswarar / Sokkanathar

Amman

Meenakshi.

Introduction

Sankaranar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Parthibanur in Ramanathapuram District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Sankaranar / Sundareswarar / Sokkanathar and Mother is called as Meenakshi. The place was called as Vedham in ancient period but now called as Parthibanur / Kanjariyapuram. The Temple is situated on Madurai to Ramanathapuram Route. The Temple is located opposite to Parthibanur Bus Stand.

The Temple is considered as Thevara Vaippu Sthalam as Devaram hymns sung by Appar had a mention about this Temple.

Puranic Significance

Sankaranar: The name Sankaranar appears to have been derived from a debate between Lord Shiva and Poet Nakkeerar in Madurai over a verse authored by Lord. When the debate reached a heated stage on community identity, Nakkeerar said that he belonged to a community engaged in cutting conches and that the Lord had no claim attaching him to one such. Those were the days when community identity was a mark of respect. The poet addressed the Lord Sankaranar, hence the name of the Lord here. Furious Shiva cast a look on the poet reducing him to ashes. At the request of the king and other poets, Lord looked at Nakkeerar mercifully and restored him to life. The poet too realized that he was arguing with Lord himself and sought his Pardon.

Parthibanur: As peace efforts between the Pandavas and Kauravas failed, war between the parties became unavoidable. Both sides had great and reputed heroes and commanders known for their skill in the war craft. Sage Vyasa advised Arjuna that he could win only if he got the Pasupatha missile from Lord Shiva to defeat Dronacharya, a dreaded archer on the other side. Arjuna set out on a penance on Lord Shiva. Knowing this, Duryodhana sent a demon Mookasura to kill Arjuna. The demon came to the spot of penance in the guise of a wild pig. Arjuna shot an arrow at the animal. Meantime, Lord Shiva who came there as a hunter to bless the Pandava also shot an arrow on the demon pig. Both arrows were shot at the animal simultaneously. Arjuna and the hunter (Shiva) fought among themselves to claim the animal. After a short encounter, Lord Shiva smilingly showed Arjuna who he was. Arjuna fell at the feet of the Lord and begged his pardon. Lord Shiva blessed him with the Pasupatha missile that decided the war in favour of the Pandavas. Arjuna then travelled to many places worshipping Lord Shiva. He found a Swayambulinga here and worshipped. As Arjuna also known as Parthan worshipped here, the place was named Parthanur which later changed as Parthibanur. A devotee later built this temple as directed by the Lord in his dream

Beliefs

Those with distressed mind pray to Lord Shiva and those facing delays in wedding and other planetary problems pray to Mother. Realizing their wishes, devotees arrange special Alankaras to Lord and Mother, perform abishek and Archanas.

Special Features

The temple is said to be more than 1500 years old. Presiding Deity is called as Sankaranar / Sundareswarar / Sokkanathar. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. Lord Shiva is a Swayambhu Murthy in the temple. Lord Sankaranar in the temples graces the devotees seated on a square platform-peeta in the sanctum sanctorum. Mother is called as Meenakshi. Mother shrine is at the right of the Lord gracing the devotees in the form Mother Meenakshi in Madurai. She is housed in a separate shrine. There is a shrine for Siddhi Vinayaka in the Temple premises. Lord Muruga with his consorts Valli and Deivanai graces in the front mandapam. The idol of Lord Muruga is made with its frame-Thivatchi. Lord Bala Muruga is just opposite. There are also shrines for Lord Dakshinamurthy, Chandikeswarar, Lord Bhairava and Nagar. The Sthala Vriksham (Sacred Tree) Mavalinga Maram is in the complex. Theertham is Sankaran Kulam (a tank). The temple is in a bad state now. It is just with a mandap and shrines of Lord and Mother. As the temple lacks security, all idols are kept in the front Mandapam

Festivals

Tirukarthikai in November-December; Shivrathri in February-March and Aippasi Annabishekam in October-November are the festivals celebrated in the temple.

References

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2019/08/sankaranar-temple-parthibanur-ramanathapuram.html