Shivalayam Ottam 6 – Pannippagam Kirathamurthy Temple, Kanyakumari

Address

Shivalayam Ottam 6 – Pannippagam Kirathamurthy Temple, Pannippagam, Kanyakumari District, Tamilnadu – 629166

Deity

Kirathamurthy

Introduction

• Location: The temple is situated at Pannippagam, in Kanyakumari District, Tamil Nadu. It is part of the renowned Shivalaya Ottam, a ritual marathon conducted during Shivaratri, and is the sixth temple in the sequence.
• Age: The temple is believed to be 1000 years old.
• Accessibility:
  • Distance: Located 10 km from Kumaracoil, 44 km from Kanyakumari, and 62 km from Thiruvananthapuram.
  • Nearest Railway Station: Eraniel.
  • Nearest Airport: Thiruvananthapuram.

Puranic Significance

• Story of Arjuna and Lord Shiva:
  • Arjuna, in his pursuit to win the Mahabharata war, meditated upon Lord Shiva to obtain the Pasupathasthiram (a divine missile).
  • Duryodhana sent a demon named Moohasuran, who disguised himself as a pig to disrupt Arjuna’s penance.
  • Lord Shiva appeared as a hunter (Kirathamurthy) and killed the pig at the same time as Arjuna. Arjuna’s bow broke, and he struck the hunter on the head with it, which was felt by all people around. Realizing that the hunter was Lord Shiva, Arjuna fell at his feet.
  • Lord Shiva blessed Arjuna with the Pasupathasthiram, and since the Lord appeared as a hunter, the temple is named after this incarnation.
  • The village name Pannippagam is derived from the Tamil word for pig (Panni = Pantri), as it relates to the story. Fittingly, the area still faces wild boar issues.
• Sage Vyakarapadhar’s Worship:
  • Sage Vyakarapadhar visited and worshipped Lord Shiva at this temple.

Special Features

• Surroundings: The temple is surrounded by lush green fields and is located near the foothills of Mookkunnimala.
• Deity: The Lord is worshipped in the form of Kirathamurthy, the hunter incarnation of Lord Shiva.
• Architecture:
  • The temple features Tamil architectural style with a well-sculpted Vimana (roof above the sanctum).
  • There is a sacred Nandi bull sitting in a mandapa surrounded by lamps, facing Lord Shiva.
  • A shrine dedicated to Kala Bhairavar is located in the north-east corner of the temple.

Festivals

• Shivalaya Ottam: A part of the ritual marathon during Shivaratri.
• Shivaratri: The grand festival celebrating Lord Shiva.
• Thiruvadirai: A festival honoring Lord Shiva, typically associated with the star Arudra (Thiruvadirai Nakshatra).
• Chittirai Kodiyetram Peruvizha: A flag-hoisting festival celebrated in the Tamil month of Chittirai.

Century/Period/Age

1000 Years old

Managed By

Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments Department (HRCE)

Nearest Bus Station

Pannippagam

Nearest Railway Station

Eraniel

Nearest Airport

Thiruvananthapuram.

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