Thondi Chidambareswarar Temple, Ramanathapuram

Address

Thondi,

Ramanathapuram District, Tamil Nadu – 623409

Moolavar

Chidambareswarar

Amman

Sivagami Ambal

Introduction

Chidambarewarar temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, Located in the Thondi Town, Ramanathapuram district, Tamil Nadu. Here the Presiding deity is called Chidambareswarar and Mother is called as Sivagami ambal. The place where the Lord graces with the name of Chidambareswarar as the deity who relieves the sorrows of those who come to him and worship him. Ramanathapuram Devasthanam is maintained the management of Temple. The temple has direct bus services from Ramanathapuram, Thiruvadanai, Madurai, Aranthangi, Devakottai.

Puranic Significance

In medieval times, this place was called by the name of Bavithramanikam. It seems that at that time a woman named Bavithramanikam was a dancing monk who lived in influence in the region and was named after her. At that time the town was included in the internal division called Kela Simbil Nadu. Since the Sangam period, this place has been known as Thondi. Although the name was changed in the middle Ages, the ancient name Thondi still remains.

Once upon a time Shiva and Parvati were travelling in the sky looking at the people of the world. Legend has it that in later times, a temple was built and people used to worship there as a reminder of the incident where they got mesmerized by its beauty and came down and rested for some time in this place. As there are no inscriptions anywhere in the temple, it is believed that the temple was built during the later Pandya period based on its architecture. The Temple is believed to be more than 1500 years old.

Beliefs

The twin Ganesha sanctum located in the northern circle is very popular. When those who pray for the removal of the marriage bar and the blessing of children go to twin Vinayagar and pray, the servants’ wishes will be fulfilled within the next few weeks.

Special Features

The temple is facing east. The inner circle is found after passing the main gate. In the eastern circle, the flagpole, altar, Nandi Devar Mandapam, Mukha Mandapam, Maha Mandapam, Artha Mandapam, are seen. To the right of Mukha Mandapam is Sivagami Ambal Sannidhi facing south. Opposite this is the three-tiered Rajagopuram. A special abhishekam is performed for Ambal on the full moon day. Anuknaya Vinayaka at the gate of the Maha Mandapam and Anandak Koothan Nataraja on the north side of the Mahamandapam. On the day of Arudra Darshan, Lord Nataraja’s anointing rituals are performed and the Thiruveedi Ahrazal Vaipavam takes place.

Chitambareswarar is standing as the source in the sanctum, and if the servants bow down to his feet, good results will be obtained. Dakshinamurthy, Annamalaiyar, Brahma and Durga shrines are situated in Goshta. The southern Siddhi has a palm tree growing like an umbrella for Lord Ganesha. In the western circle there are shrines of Kannimula Ganapati, Valli Deivanai Sametha Subramanyar, and in the northern circle there are shrines of Chandikeswarar, Navagraha, Tirthakinaru, Kalabairavar, Shaniswarar, Chandran and Surya.

Festivals

Pradosha worship, Ashtami worship to Bhairava and Pradosha worship to Nandeeswarar are performed. Four times puja is performed daily. Aippasi Annabishekam, 108 Sangabishekam every Kartikai (Nov – Dec) Kartikai Maha Deepam, Margazhi Day Tirupalli Usurchi, Thai Pongal (Jan), Mahashivaratri (Feb- March) are being celebrated.