26th January 2020.
The visit to this Sri Neelakanda Swamy Temple at
Thiruvithamcode in Kanyakumari District was a part of Nanjil Nadu Heritage Walk
organized by Yaaooyaakay and Celebrate Kanchi in association with Tamil Nadu
Tourism and Development Department, Kanyakumari, scheduled on 24th
to 26th January 2020.
This was the 1st temple’s visit on
the third day. This place is being spelled in different ways such as Thiruvithancode,
Thiruvithankodu, Thiruvithamcode, etc. Thiruvithamcode was the Capital city of the
Thrippapur Swaroopam or Nanjil Nadu,during Venad Kings rule.
Moolavar
: Sri Neelakanda Swamy
Some of
the salient features of this temple are....
The
temple is facing east with an entrance mandapam. The temple tank is on the
right side.The temple complex consists of a Shiva Temple and a Vishnu Temple. Dwajasthambam
and balipeedam are in front of the mukha mandapam. The base of the dwajasthambam
has the small brass idols. The mukha mandapam entrance 4 pillars has the
sculptures of Arjunan, Karnan / Bheeman
and Dwarapalakas. Nandhi is in the artha mandapam. Moolavar in the
sanctum looks cute. There is no images in the koshtam. There is no separate
sannadhi for Ambal. Natarajar is in the inner prakaram, facing south.
Vishnu
temple is on the left side of the Siva Temple with Sanctum Sanctorum,
artha mandapam and an inner prakaram. This Vishnu temple also has a separate
Dwajasthambam and balipeedam.
ARCHITECTURE:
The
Sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala and artha mandapam. The entrance
to the artha mandapam is from three sides. The devotees are allowed up to east
side of the artha mandapam entrance. The sanctum sanctorum is on a simple
pathabhanda adhisthana. Inner prakaram is closed on the top. The prastaram is
of kapotha style with kood. In the mukha mandapa thulabharam. The outer walls of
the temple are extended like a porch and supported with ladies with lamp /
Pavai vilakku. On that once sculpture is a pregnant lady.
Mukhamandapam
Mukhamandapam - balipedam
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
The temple is believed to be constructed during 8th to 9th Century Aay Kings period. The mukha mandapa was constructed during 16th to 17th
Century. Inscriptions are found on a boulder near the sanctum and north side of the adhishtanam.
The 12th
Century Sundara Chozha Padyan’s inscription the boulder records the gift of
gold to burn a perpetual lamp at Thirumuthancode Mahadevar.
On the
north side sanctum wall, the inscription records the gift of buffaloes to burn
perpetual lamps to Lord of this temple. There is no mention about the
King's name.
Inscriptions in the Adhistanam
Inscriptions on the adhistanam
FESTIVALS AND CELEBRATIONS
Pradosham,
Annual festival and Maha Shivaratri are conducted in grand manner. Utsavar will
be taken in procession on elephants, during annual function day which will be
held between Dec- Jan. Maha Shivaratri
day devotees used to pray at 12 Shiva Temples, by run called Shivalaya ottam.
There are 12 Shiva Temples
around Kalkulam namely, Thirumalai Mahadevar Temple, Theekurichi Mahadevar
Temple, Thirparappu Mahadevar Temple, Thirunanthikarai Sri Nandeeswarar Temple,
Ponmanai Theembilangudi Mahadevar Temple, Thirupandripakam Shiva Temple, Kalkulam
/ ( Thiruvithamcode ? ) Neelakanda Swamy Temple, Melangode Shiva temple,
Thirupandricode Mahadevar temple and Thirunattalam Sankara Narayanar Temple. On Maha Shivaratri day devotees used to run and worship all the
temples shouting “E Gopala, e Gopala,.... Govinda.." Usually the run will start from Thirumalai Mahadevar Temple and finishes at Nattalam Sankaranarayanar temple, thus covering a total distance of 110 KM.
LEGEND:
It is believed that Vyaghrapada, Maha Vishnu and
Sages worshiped Lord Shiva of this
temple.
TEMPLE
TIMINGS:
The temple will be kept opened between 05.00 hrs to
11.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.
HOW TO
REACH:
The Place
Thiruvithamcode ie about 2 KM from Thuckalay, 25 KM from Nagercoil, 35 KM from
Kanyakumari, 107 KM from Tirunelveli, 260 KM from Madurai and 800 KM from
Chennai.
Nearest
Railway Station is Nagercoil.
LOCATION: CLICK HERE
MAHA VISHNU TEMPLE
Arjuna & Karna / Bheema
Dwarapalakas
Mukhamandapam bas-relief
Mukhamandapam ceiling bas-relief
MAHA VISHNU TEMPLE
Hanuman and Garudan
---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---
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