Vembathur Sri Kailasanathar Temple, Sivaganga

Address

Vembattur Sri Kailasanathar Temple, Sivaganga
Vembattur, Sivaganga District
Mobile: +91 97903 25083

Kailasanathar

The Kailasanathar Temple, located in Vembattur, Sivaganga District, is a 500-year-old Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Legend of Malayadwaja Pandya:

The temple has a legendary association with Malayadwaja Pandya, a king who sought to perform the Puthrakameshti Yajna to have a child.
Prior to commencing the Yajna, Brahmin Pandits advised him to go to Kailash and have a darshan (sacred viewing) of Lord Shiva.
During his pilgrimage to Kailash, Malayadwaja Pandya and his queen Kanchanamala experienced a mystical encounter. They heard a voice saying, “Mind by itself is Kailash,” signifying that devotion and the state of one’s mind can be as sacred as a physical pilgrimage.
In this sacred place, now known as Vembattur, Lord Shiva granted the king darshan as Kailasa Nathar. This divine encounter brought him the spiritual benefits of Kailash darshan.

Story of Kaviraja Pandithar:

Kaviraja Pandithar, a devoted Sri Vidya Upasaka (worshipper of the Divine Mother), hailed from Vembattur. He embarked on a pilgrimage to Kasi (Varanasi) with his daughter.
Halfway through the journey, a miraculous event occurred. Mother Ambica accompanied Kaviraja Pandithar as his daughter, while his real daughter had already reached home.
Kaviraja Pandithar bought bangles during his journey and gave them to the accompanying girl, thinking she was his daughter.
Upon returning home, he inquired about the bangles with his real daughter. Confused, she had no knowledge of them. It was then revealed that it was Mother Ambica herself who had accompanied him to Kasi.
In response to this divine encounter, Kaviraja Pandithar composed Acharya Sankara’s Soundarya Lahari in sweet Tamil verses.
His Jeeva Samadhi (the final resting place of a saint) is located in Veera Cholam, which is approximately 40 km away from Vembattur. Locals refer to it as Iyer Samadhi.

Temple Deities and Significance:

The presiding deity of the temple is known as Kailasanathar (Lord Shiva), while the divine consort is called Avudai Nayagi.
The temple’s sacred tank is called Kailasa Theertham.
Apart from Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, there are shrines dedicated to Lord Vinayaka, Lord Muruga, Lord Nataraja, Lord Bhairava, and the Sun, Moon, and the Navagrahas (nine planets).

Worship and Beliefs:

Devotees visit the temple with a firm belief that Lord Shiva and Mother Parvati will bless them by clearing Putra Dosha (obstacles related to childbirth) faced by couples. It is believed that the first child born to devotees will be a male.
Devotees perform abishek (ritual bathing of the deity) to Lord Shiva and Mother Parvati and offer vastras (clothing) as a sign of devotion.