Pappankulam Sadaiudayar Temple - Thirunelveli

Address

Pappankulam Sadaiudayar Temple – Thirunelveli

Pappankulam, Kallidaikurichi,

Thirunelveli district,

Tamil Nadu – 627416

Moolavar

Sadaiudayar

Introduction

Sadaiudayar Temple is dedicated to Sastha located at Pappankulam Village near Kallidaikurichi in Thirunelveli District of Tamilnadu. Lord Sadaiudayar, the presiding deity is the Kula Deivam of a select set of people mainly from Southern Tamilnadu. The temple has a humble appearance and is called Kudusai, which in Tamil means “hut”. The offerings to this temple are rice and coconut and no cooked offering is permitted.

The temple of Sri Porsadayachi and Sri Sadaiudayar Sastha is situated right in the middle of paddy fields. Mother is called as Porsadayachi aka Raja Rajeshwari. Women and girls are not allowed to enter into the temple. It is not a temple built according to the Agama Sastras. There is no flag mast or prakarams. No Utsavam is performed or festival celebrated but has a moving tale behind its origin. When a Brahmin was taking his daughter home for delivery, she gave birth to a child here helped by Sastha himself playing the role of a harijan midwife.

This temple can be accessed by auto from Kallidaikurichi, which is near Ambasamudram, about 1 hour drive from Thirunelveli. Kallidaikurichi is located on the Southern bank of the river Thamirabarani at about 12 Kms West of Cheranmahadevi.

Puranic Significance

Sadavudayar is the ‘Amsa’ of Sastha. An interesting legend is associated with this temple. A Brahmin was passing through Pappankulam village along with his pregnant daughter. The girl got labor pain suddenly. The father found a hut nearby where a Dalit woman played midwife and the girl delivered a baby boy. It is believed that Shasta took the form of the woman and helped the girl. And hence the Sastha here is known as Sadavudayar. A temple was built in that place with the other deities like Chinna Madan, Periya Madan and Nalla Madan. The Brahmin thanked the God and offered raw rice and coconut which he was having with him at that time. Later, the girl gave birth to eight sons. All of them and their descendants became staunch devotees of Shasta and served him. They are being called as ‘Ettu Pillai Koottaththaar” (Ettu pillai means eight sons). Sadavudayar had assured that the decedents of the family of that woman should worship him and he will take care of everyone in the family. Hence grand pooja celebrations will be performed in the Tamil Month of “Thai” in all Fridays. In that time Abishekam and all other poojas will be performed to Sadavudayar, Chinna Madan, Periya Madan and Nalla Madan. “Villu Pattu” will be performed throughout the night narrating the story of the Sadavudayar. All the family members and the people from 7 villages including Kalakkad, Ambasamudram and Kallidaikurichi will participate in the pooja. This pooja will be performed in all Thai Fridays and in the daytime of Thai Fridays also.

Special Features

The temple is situated amidst paddy fields surrounded by hills in a picturesque village named Therku Pappankulam near Ambasamudram. The temple is not built based on Agama Sastra. Hence, it does not have tower, Bali peetha or flag staff. The Sanctum Santorum houses four deities: Raja Rajeshwari under the five hood snake; she is also called as Porsadayachi. Sadaiudayar Shasta in the form of Bala jadadhaari – a rare form to find him in the standing posture and with beard; he is holding a stick. Other two deities are Durga Parameswari and Kali. The entrance of the sanctorum has an idol of Lord Ganesha. The temple is said to be more than 1500 years old.

Outside the main shrine, there are three sub-shrines for the following guardian deities:

· Periya Madaswamy aka Veerabhadra holding sword

· Outside the main shrine,

There are three sub-shrines for the following guardian deities:

· Periya Madaswamy aka Veerabhadra holding sword

References

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com