Shivalayam Ottam 12- Thirunattalam Shankara Narayanan Temple & Arthanareeswarar Temple, Kanyakumari

Address

Shivalayam Ottam 12- Thirunattalam Shankara Narayanan Temple & Arthanareeswarar Temple, Thirunattalam Village, Kanyakumari district – 629195.

Diety

Shankara Narayanan & Arthanareeswarar

Introduction

Shankara Narayanan Temple & Arthanareeswarar Temple is twin Temples located at Thirunattalam Village in Kanyakumari District of Tamilnadu. The first temple, Shankara Narayanan Temple, the main god is Lord Vishnu and Lord Siva. Therefore, god is called as Sankaranarayanar. The second temple, Arthanareeswarar Temple, the main god is Lord Siva and Lord Parvathi in half Shiva & half Parvathi. Therefore, the presiding deity is called as Arthanareeswarar. The shrine is the twelfth and last in the Shivalaya Ottam sequence. It is only after worshipping Vishnu at the Shankara Narayanan temple, the divine run is considered complete. The Temple is located at about 6 Kms from Marthandam, 8 Kms from Kuzhithurai and 50 Kms from Thiruvananthapuram. Nearest Railway Station is located at Kuzhithurai (6 Kms) and Nearest Airport is located at Thiruvananthapuram (50 Kms).

Puranic Significance

Vyakrapada, the Shiva devotee was chasing Bhima who was chanting Lord Vishnu’s name. The legend of the temple states that Shiva and Vishnu gave darshan together to Vyakrapada here at Thirunattalam to make him understand that both are one. There are two temples in this village situated on either side of the Temple Tank. The Temple is believed to be 1000 years old. The temple is constructed in Kerala style, made of stone with tiled roof. Pillars with sculptures adorn around the temple. There is a Kodimaram in front of the temple. The first temple, Shankara Narayanan Temple, the main god is Lord Vishnu and Lord Siva. Therefore, god is called as Sankaranarayanar. The idol there is suggesting that Hari (Vishnu) and Haran (Siva) are one and same. The second temple, Arthanareeswarar Temple, the main god is Lord Siva and Lord Parvathi in half Shiva & half Parvathi. Therefore, the presiding deity is called as Arthanareeswarar. He is also called as Thirukkannapar / Mahadevar. This is the main worship place of Shivarathri and Shivalaya Ottam. There is a holy tank between these two temples. It is the only temple in Travancore where Brahma’s idol found. The shrine is the twelfth and last in the Shivalaya Ottam sequence. It is only after worshipping Vishnu at the Shankara Narayanan temple, the divine run is considered complete.

Festivals

There are morning and evening poojas in this temple. On Shivarathri day there will be four special Yama Poojas, in every two hours from 10 PM. After the fourth Yama pooja, by 4 AM, devotees will get Vibhuti and prasadam, which indicates their Shivarathri fast is over.. Maha Shivarathri, Panguni Utsavam, Chithirai Pournami, Krishna Jayanthi and Pradosham, Shivalaya Ottam are the important festivals in this temple. On the day of Shivarathri, devotees of Lord Siva will finish their 24-hour marathon in Thirunattalam starting from Thirumalai. It is the 12th temple in this marathon.