Pappankulam Sadaiudayar Temple – Thirunelveli

Address

Pappankulam Sadaiudayar Temple – Thirunelveli

Pappankulam, Kallidaikurichi,

Thirunelveli district,

Tamil Nadu – 627416

Moolavar

Sadaiudayar

Introduction

• Location: The Sadaiudayar Temple is located in Pappankulam Village, near Kallidaikurichi in the Thirunelveli District of Tamil Nadu, India. The temple is situated in the heart of paddy fields, surrounded by hills, in a serene and picturesque setting.
• Deity: The temple is dedicated to Lord Sadaiudayar (a form of Sastha), and the presiding deity is the Kula Deivam of a specific community, primarily from Southern Tamil Nadu. Lord Sadaiudayar is believed to be a protective and benevolent deity.
• Temple Structure: This temple is quite humble and is often referred to as “Kudusai”, which means “hut” in Tamil. The temple is simple, with no elaborate architectural features like a flag mast or prakarams, and does not follow traditional Agama Sastras in its construction or worship practices.
• Offerings: The offerings at this temple consist only of raw rice and coconut, and cooked offerings are not permitted.

Puranic Significance:

1. Legend of Lord Sadaiudayar:
   • The temple’s origin is tied to a legend involving a Brahmin who was traveling with his pregnant daughter. When they arrived at Pappankulam village, the daughter unexpectedly went into labor. The father found a nearby hut, where a Dalit woman helped deliver the child. It is believed that Lord Sastha took the form of the woman and assisted in the birth, thus the deity is referred to as Sadavudayar (meaning “the one who helped”).
   • After the birth, the Brahmin offered raw rice and coconut as a token of gratitude to the deity, and later, the daughter gave birth to eight sons. The descendants of these sons, known as “Ettu Pillai Koottaththaar”, have since become devoted followers of Sastha. They, along with their families, are entrusted with maintaining the worship of Sadavudayar.
2. The Promise of Sastha:
   • It is believed that Sadavudayar assured the descendants of the family of the woman (who helped the pregnant daughter) that he would protect and bless all members of her family. This assurance led to the performance of special poojas, especially in the Tamil month of “Thai”, on all Fridays. During this period, grand poojas and Abishekam (ritual bathing) are conducted, accompanied by the Villu Pattu, a night-long performance narrating the story of Sadavudayar. People from seven surrounding villages, including Kalakkad, Ambasamudram, and Kallidaikurichi, participate in this ritual.

Special Features:

1. Temple Structure and Deities:
   • The temple is located amidst paddy fields and surrounded by hills, adding to its peaceful ambiance. The Sanctum Sanctorum (inner sanctum) houses four deities:
     • Raja Rajeshwari (also known as Porsadayachi), depicted under a five-headed snake.
     • Sadaiudayar Sastha, depicted in a rare form as a Bala jadadhaari (a youthful form with a beard), standing with a stick.
     • Durga Parameswari and Kali are also enshrined in the sanctum.
   • The entrance of the sanctum features an idol of Lord Ganesha, known for removing obstacles.
2. Guardian Deities:
   • Outside the main shrine, there are three sub-shrines dedicated to the guardian deities of the temple:
     • Periya Madaswamy (also known as Veerabhadra), holding a sword.
3. Age of the Temple:
   • This temple is said to be over 1500 years old, and its simple, rustic appearance reflects its long-standing history and deep connection with the local community.
4. Cultural Practices:
   • The temple does not follow traditional Utsavams or large-scale festivals, but the “Thai Fridays” pooja celebrations are a significant event, with Abishekam and other rituals performed for Sadavudayar, Chinna Madan, Periya Madan, and Nalla Madan. The Villu Pattu (a traditional musical storytelling performance) during this time is a key cultural practice that narrates the history of Sadavudayar.
5. Restricted Access:
   • Women and girls are not allowed to enter the temple, and this restriction is an integral part of the temple’s customs.

Accessibility:

• The temple can be reached by auto from Kallidaikurichi, which is around an hour’s drive from Thirunelveli. Kallidaikurichi is situated on the southern bank of the Thamirabarani River, about 12 kilometers west of Cheranmahadevi.

References

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com

Century/Period

1500 Years Old

Managed By

Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments Department (HR&CE)

Nearest Bus Station

Pappankulam

Nearest Railway Station

Ambasamudram.

Nearest Airport

Madurai and Thiruvananthapuram.

Location on Map

lightuptemple