Sivasailam Sivasailanathar Temple, Thirunelveli

Address

Sivasailam Sivasailanathar Temple, Sivasailam, Alwarkurichi, Thirunelveli District- 627414 Phone: +91 4634 283128 Mobile: +91 94867 78640

Diety

Sivasailanathar / Athreeswarar Amman: Paramakalyani

Introduction

Sivasailanathar Temple is dedicated to God Shiva located at Sivasailam Village in Thirunelveli District of Tamilnadu. The Temple is also called as Paramakalyani Amman Kovil and popularly known as Sivasailam Temple. The Temple is facing west. The Temple is located at about 6 Kms from Alwarkurichi. Sivasailam is surrounded by Velli Malai (Silver Hill), Western Ghats and Mulli Malai, and is located on the banks of Gadananathi River. The Temple is considered as Thevara Vaippu Sthalam as Devaram hymns sung by Appar. The Temple is believed to be 1000 years old. Presiding Deity is called as Sivasailanathar / Athreeswarar and Mother is called as Paramakalyani Ambal. Sthalam Vriksham: Kadamba Tree. Theertham: Kadana River.

Puranic Significance

Appearance of Shivalingam: It is told that a landlord had many cows in his house. Usually, he made his labourers milk the cows, but one day all the cows refused to give milk. The labourers complained about this leading the owner to get angry and he chased all his cows and labourers from his house. All the cows gathered on a hill with a rock upon it and flooded their milk upon the rock. On the place of this flooding of milk a Shivalingam appeared. He is known as Sivasailanathar. Sivasailanathar is the main God for the temple. Sivasailanathar saved a Priest: It is told that once a Pandya king came to the temple and received prasadam from the priest.The priest gave him a garland in which there was a hair. The king got angry with the priest. However, as the priest was pure and truly devoted to Sivasailanathar, Sivasailanathar thought to save the priest and he sent a vision to the king to not get angry with the priest and told the king I had a hair in the back. The next day king came to temple and saw jadamudi (long tresses) back of the lingam and the king became very happy and got a vision of Shivalingam. There are lines that appear like hair in the back of the statue. Hence he is also called as Sadaiappar. This can be seen through a hole while circumambulating at the back of the main sanctum from where one can see the lines from top like hairs falling down at the back of Siva Lingam. This is visible only when the Archakar gives Aarathi at the back of Siva Lingam. People worshipped Lord Shiva here: Sages Brighu and Athiri worshipped Lord Shiva here.

Beliefs

Attains a long and satisfactory life, becomes knowledgeable, get rid of diseases, can attain wealth, can attain salvation, gives long life and the good health of their Husband and child, and removes obstacles from life.

Special Features

The temple is very huge in size. It has a stunning tower and the front side of the temple is covered with trees. The main gopuram has five floors and is adorned with many statues. The main god of the temple is Sivasailanathar and Paramakalyani Amman. This temple was built by Pandya king. The temple is surrounded by Velli malai, Mulli malai and Podhigai hills. It is located on the bank of River Gadananathi River (Karunai River). The temple is full of long Mandapams, huge idols, different designs of huge pillars and large sculpted pillars. Everything in this temple appears to be grand.The Vimana is spectacularly gilded. The Nandi idol that is located near the flag staff and bali peetha facing the main shrine is artistically beautiful. In the South direction of the temple, there is an east facing statue of Vinayagar. In the North direction, a statue of the Tamil God Murugan is placed. In the South direction, 63 Nayanmars statue and Suryan and Chandran statues are placed, and a statue of Dakshinamurthy facing south is placed. The temple has a number of mandapam (ritual pavilions) for Nartha, Maa, Aartha and Mani. The statue of Paramakalyani Amman with emerald green cheeks gives grace to devotees. A Manimandapam (memorial) is located on the bank of the river Gadananathi. In the south of Mani mandapam, a statue of Nataraja Perumal is placed. In the pillars of the mandapam, a lion crest is seen. On the inner side of the pandal mandapam many coloured flowers are depicted. The temple has two wooden chariots, one is large and the other is small. The large chariot is for Sivasailanathar and the smaller is for his consort, Amman. Main Shrine: The sanctum sanctorum unusually faces the west direction. A large sized Shiva Linga idol named as Sivasailappar is found there. The highlight is that he has tresses at his back. The devotees can view his tresses through holes on the back side of the sanctorum. Hence he is also called as Sadaiappar. It is said that it is only west facing Swayambu Linga. It is also said that there are 27 Aavudais (the base of Linga) placed one above the other and the idol is placed on top of 27th Aavudai. Ganesha and Adhikara Nandi idols are found near the entrance of Arthamandapam. The Maha Mandapa has Nandi facing the sanctorum; it also house few sub-shrines with so many Utsava (metal) idols that include NatarajaSivakami, Chandrasekhar-Uma, etc. Inner Prakaram: The inner prakara surrounding the Sanctum Sanctorum has many sub-shrines housing lot of deities. All of them are unusually large in size. Goddess Shrine: The Goddess Parama Kalyani is found in a separate west facing shrine. She is found in the standing posture and has four arms. The shrine has its own front side mandapa, Nandi, flag staff and bali peetha. It is said that the idol was found in a well. The inner prakara has Agastya, Ganesha, 63 Nayanmars and Dhakshinamoorthi. Statue of Nandhi: The representation of Nandi in the temple is particularly noted. Nandikeshvarar statue looks like an ox sitting upon its folded tail. This statue demonstrates the special character of Tamil and the artistic work of the artist. Other Shrines: Some of the other sub-shrines in the temple: • Saila Vinayaka • Nellaiyappar-Salvaateeswarar-Kanthimathi • Meenakshi-Sundareswarar Subramanya-Valli-Devasena

Festivals

In the month of Thai during the Poosam Theppotsavam is celebrated for Sri Paramakalyani Samedha Sivasailanathar. In the month of April, (Last 11 days of Panguni) the Rathotsavam is celebrated.