26th January 2020.
The visit to this Sri Neelakanda Swamy Temple at
Thiruvithamcode in Kanyakumari District was a part of the 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 spelled in different ways such as Thiruvithancode,
Thiruvithankodu, Thiruvithamcode, etc. Thiruvithamcode was the Capital city of Thrippapur Swaroopam or Nanjil Nadu, during Venad King's rule.
Moolavar
: Sri Neelakanda Swamy
Some of
the salient features of this temple are...
The
temple faces 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 small brass idols. The mukha mandapam entrance's 4 pillars have the
sculptures of Arjunan, Karnan/Bheeman, and Dwarapalakas. Nandhi is in the artha mandapam. Moolavar in the
sanctum looks cute. There are no images in the koshtam. There is no separate
sannadhi for Ambal. Natarajar is in the inner praharam, 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 the east
side of the ardha mandapam entrance. The sanctum sanctorum is on a simple
pada bhanda adhisthana. Inner praharam 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 by ladies with lamp/Pavai vilakku. On that one sculpture is a pregnant lady.
Mukhamandapam
Mukhamandapam - balipedam
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
The temple is believed to have been constructed during the 8th to 9th Century Aay Kings period. The mukha mandapa was constructed during the 16th to 17th
Centuries. Inscriptions are found on a boulder near the sanctum and north side of the adhistanam.
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 the Lord of this temple. There is no mention of the
King's name.
Inscriptions in the adhistanam
Inscriptions on the adhistanam
FESTIVALS AND CELEBRATIONS
Pradosham, the annual festival, and Maha Shivaratri are conducted in a grand manner. Utsavar will
be taken in procession on elephants, during the 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 Narayana 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 finish 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 in this
temple.
TEMPLE
TIMINGS:
The temple will be kept open between 05.00 hrs to
11.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.
HOW TO
REACH:
The Place
Thiruvithamcode is 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.
The nearest
Railway Station is Nagercoil.
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: 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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