Pathamadai Kariya Manikkam Perumal Temple - Thirunelveli

Address

Pathamadai Kariya Manikkam Perumal Temple – Thirunelveli

Pathamadai, Thirunelveli district,

Tamil Nadu – 627006

Phone: +91 4634 261612 Mobile: +91 89038 61612

Moolavar

Kariya Manikkam Perumal

Introduction

Kariya Manikkam Perumal Temple is dedicated to God Vishnu located at Pathamadai Village near Cheranmahadevi in Thirunelveli District of Tamilnadu. This is the birth place of Swami Sivananda of Rishikesh. Pathamadai is popular for its cottage industry manufacturing Korai Pai (mat) made out of a type of grass from Cyperus family grown for decorative foliage. Pathamadai is 1 Km east of Cheranmahadevi on the Thirunelveli – Ambai/Papanasam Highway.

Puranic Significance

Presiding Deity of this Temple is Kariya Manikkam Perumal in an East Facing Standing Posture. Utsavar Idol is kept under security at Krishnan Koil located in Ambasamudram. Centuries old idols of Perumal, Thaayar and Hayagriva belonging to the Perumal Temple are lying in a dilapidated condition in the North Eastern corner of the temple with a head chopped off from one of the idols. The temple is said to be more than 1500 years old.

Cheran Maha Devi Chadurvedi Mangalam (as it was referred to then) and its adjoining region is home to several ancient Perumal temples that were close to the hearts of the Pandya and Chera rulers as can be seen from the contributions made. Several inscriptions inside the temple on the walls of the prakara indicate significant contributions by the Pandya Kings. However, the white washing of the walls of the strong granite structure, in recent times has contributed to destruction of these centuries old inscription. During that period, this temple was referred to as Ayiara Thenma Vinnagara Azhvaar Temple at the eastern hamlet of Cheran Maha Devi Chadurvedi Mangalam. Vikrama Pandya too contributed to the improvements at this temple. In 1198AD, tax free temple lands were donated to this temple by the Cheran Maha Devi Province.

Lighting of lamps:

During the rule of Pandya Kings including Kulasekara Pandya, oil was gifted for lighting a perpetual lamp at the Kariya Manikkam Perumal temple here at Pathamadai. This temple was specially protected by the army force of Pathamadai. On the South Wall of the central shrine, the rule of Jatavarma Kulasekara Deva registers a gift of income from an oil mill for burning perpetual lamp, by the king while he was seated in the throne called Kalinga Rayan in his palace at Madurai. On the Eastern Wall of the mandapa in front of the central shrine is an inscription that registers a gift of one achchu for a twilight lamp to the Lord by Sri Vallabha Sri Vasudevan, one of the Arya Bhattars of the temple. A lady gifted one achchu for a twilight lamp as seen from another inscription on the eastern wall.

Special Status of Women:

Women had a special status here at Pathamadai during the rule of the Pandyas. During the rule of Veera Pandyan, women used to anchor and present mythological dramas inside the temple that were witnessed by a huge crowd. Inscriptions also indicate that this was a place that had a huge growth of sacred flowers and that special ‘palagais’ were erected inside the temple to collect and place the flowers that was then presented to the Lord during pooja time.

Beliefs

Devotees pray for child boon, prosperity and fearlessness. Devotees offer vastras and ornaments to Lord.

Festivals

Purattasi Brahmotsavam, Panguni Uthiram, Masi Makam, Vaikasi Visakam, Thiru Karthikai, Vaikunda Ekadashi and Sravana Deepam are the festivals celebrated here

References

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2017/03/kariya-manikkam-perumal-temple_18.html