Malayankulam Padagalingaswami Temple (Padaga Pillaiyar Temple) – Thirunelveli

Address

Malayankulam Padagalingaswami Temple (Padaga Pillaiyar Temple) – Thirunelveli

Malayankulam, Thirunelveli District,

Tamil Nadu – 627427

 Phone: +91 – 4634 – 254 721

Moolavar

Padagalingaswami, Mahalingam (Padaga Pillaiyar)

Amman

Padagalinga Nachiyar.

Introduction

• Location: Malayankulam Village, Thirunelveli District, Tamil Nadu.
• Presiding Deities: Two Shivalingas – Mahalingam and Padagalingam.
• Mother Deity: Padagalinga Nachiyar.
• Sthala Vriksham (Sacred Tree): Vilwa Tree.
• Theertham (Sacred Water): Padagalinga Theppam.

Puranic Significance:

• Lord Shiva’s Darshan to Chera King & Queen:
  • Queen’s Story: A Chera queen left her anklet on the bank of a spring, which got stuck to a bamboo tree. When the king tried to retrieve it, the bamboo bled, and the king, in fear, returned with his guru. They found two Shivalingas and were instructed to build a temple.
  • King and Queen’s Transformation: The king and queen later merged with Lord Shiva, and idols of both were installed as guardian deities, with the king named Chitraputra Dharma Sastha and the queen Padagalinga Nachiyar.
• Seven Brothers and Their Sister:
  • Seven brothers turned into statues after disagreeing with a youth seeking to marry their sister. Sri Chitraputra Sastha intervened and transformed them into statues, which can be found in the temple.

Beliefs:

• Devotees concerned about children’s welfare and marriage matters pray to Brahmmaratchi offering Pottuthali (mangalsutra) and Manjanai (a mixture of kumkum, turmeric, saffron, etc.) for relief from adversities.
• Prayer commitments are executed through Padayal (offering Pudding-Pongal) to guardian deities.

Special Features:

• The temple is over 1000 years old.
• Two Shivalingas – Mahalingam and Padagalingam in the sanctum sanctorum.
• A small Nandi (bull) is placed nearby.
• Mother Padagalinga Nachiyar and Chitraputra Dharma Sastha are situated behind the Lingas.
• Vahanas (vehicles) of Lord Shiva – elephant, horse, and Nandi are placed in front of the sanctum.
• The Vinayaka of the temple is called Padaga Pillaiyar.
• The temple is also known as Padaga Pillaiyar Kovil.
• Guardian Deities include Sangili Boothathar, Thalavai Madan, Gangadevi, Vidu Madan, Thakkarajan, Sudalai Madan, and others.
• Special pujas are performed to Chitraputra Dharma Sastha on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Festivals:

• Aavani Onam (August-September) and Panguni Uthiram (March-April).
  • Onam: Celebrated for 3 days, especially in honor of the Kerala king who built the temple.
  • Special pujas include inviting Mother Padagalinga Nachiyar from the nearby spring and offering Alankaras to her.

References

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com

Century/Period

1000 Years old

Managed By

Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments Department (HR&CE)

Nearest Bus Station

Malayankulam

Nearest Railway Station

Thirunelveli

Nearest Airport

Madurai

Location on Map

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