Sholavandan Sri Pralayanathar Temple, Madurai

Address

Sri Pralayanathar Temple, Sholavandan, Madurai District – 624 215. Phone: +91 4542 258 987

Deity

Pralayanathar Amman: Soundara Nayaki / Pralaya Nayaki

Introduction

• Location: Sholavandan Town, Madurai District, Tamil Nadu, India.
• Deity: Dedicated to Lord Shiva, known as Pralayanathar. The consort is referred to as Soundara Nayaki or Pralaya Nayaki.
• Historical Significance: The temple is situated on the banks of the Vaigai River in a lush environment and is believed to be around 1000 years old. It follows the Shivagama Tradition and is significant for devotees seeking relief from adversities caused by the planet Mars.

Puranic Significance

• Legend of Pralaya Nathar:
  • Centuries ago, a Pandya king brought a Shivalinga from Kasi and installed it on the banks of the Vaigai River, performing regular Shiva Puja. A catastrophic flood resembling a tsunami (referred to as Pralaya) threatened to destroy the area.
  • In their desperation, the people prayed to Lord Shiva for salvation, and they were miraculously saved. This event led to the deity being celebrated as Pralayanathar.
• Local Myth:
  • According to local lore, a war between the Chola and Pandya kingdoms resulted in the town’s name. The Chola king, awed by the fertile land and scenic beauty irrigated by the Vaigai River (which reminded him of the Cauvery Delta), abandoned the war and named the town Cholavandan (derived from Cholan + Uvandan, with Uvandan meaning “awed” in Tamil).

Beliefs

• Devotional Practices:
  • Devotees pray to Mother Vishnu Durga during critical situations, especially on Tuesdays during Rahu Kalam (3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.), lighting lamps on lime cups and performing archanas with red flowers.
  • This prayer is believed to help remove obstacles in marriage proposals, alleviate the adverse effects of Mars, and protect their husbands’ Mangal Sutras.
  • Offerings include abishek (ritual bathing) and Vastras (clothing) to Lord Shiva.

Special Features

• Temple Architecture:
  • The presiding deity, Pralayanathar, faces east and is represented by a Bana Lingam.
  • An idol of Pushpakesi Amman is located near the main deity.
  • The temple features various Koshta Idols, including Narthana Vinayagar, Guru Dakshinamurthy, Trimurthy, Brahma, and Durga, around the sanctum.
  • Chandikeswara is present in his customary location, and Lord Dakshinamurthy blesses devotees from the Goshta wall facing south of the shrine.
• Idols of Shakti:
  • The goddess is also called Soundara Nayaki / Pralaya Nayaki and is positioned facing east. Idols representing Icha, Kriya, and Gyana Sakthi are around the goddess’s shrine.
  • Shrines for Lord Muruga, Valampuri Vinayaka, and other deities like Hanuman and Mahalakshmi are located around the temple.
  • A unique aspect is the practice of breaking Vilwa nuts to make lamps, known as Vilwa Deepa, which devotees believe helps in winning fair legal cases.
  • Devotees apply butter to Anjaneya behind the sanctum and take the butter as Prasad for healing from long-term ailments.
• Theertham and Sacred Tree:
  • Theertham associated with this temple is the Vaigai River, and the Sthala Vriksham (sacred tree) is the Vilwa Tree.

Festivals

• Major festivals celebrated include:
  • Monthly Pradosham days
  • Shivarathri (February-March)
  • Karthikai Mondays (November-December)
  • Navarathri (September-October)
  • Skanda Sashti (October-November)

These festivals are celebrated with great enthusiasm and fanfare, attracting numerous devotees.

Century/Period/Age

1000 Years old

Managed By

HRCE

Nearest Bus Station

Sholavandan

Nearest Railway Station

Sholavandan

Nearest Airport

Madurai

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