The visit to this Sri Thiyaga Vidangar Temple, at Thenparai, Mannadi Thellanthi, was a part of
the “Nanjil Nadu Heritage Walk”, organized by the Tamil Nadu Tourism Department
and the தொண்டை மண்டல வரலாற்று ஆய்வு சங்கம் “திருக்கச்சி” from 16th to 18th
May 2025. I extend my sincere thanks to Mr. Velu
Pillai and Mrs. Radha Balan Ruth for organizing this Heritage Walk. This Shiva
Temple is on a small hill
Moolavar : Sri Thiyaga Vidangar
Consort : Sri Sivakami Ambal
Some of the
salient features of this temple are…..
The temple faces
west with a balipeedam, Rishabam, and a concrete tower to accommodate Stucco
images of Shiva. Only Jala is provided on the east wall of the mandapam. The
entrance to the ardha mandapam is from the south. Srucco dwarapalakas are at the
entrance. Vinayagar is on the left side of the sanctum sanctorum. Moolavar is on a square avudayar. A brass Rishabam
and Natarajar with Sivakami are in the ardha mandapam. In Koshtam
Dakshinamurthy.
In the praharan
Valampuri Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Ambal, Ayyappan,
Navagrahas, Nagars, Chandikeswarar, and Swarna Bairavar. Praharam walls have stucco bas reliefs of Shiva and Parvati as Rishabaroodar, Vinayagar, Murugan,
Sri Valli, Devasena, etc.
Ambal is in a
separate sannidhi that faces west on the left side of Shiva’s sannidhi. Ambal is
in a standing posture, holding a lotus flower in the right hand, and the left hand is
in dola hastam.
Bairavar
ARCHITECTURE
The temple
consists of the sanctum sanctorum, antarala, and ardha mandapam. The sanctum
sanctorum is on a pada bandha adhistanam with jagathy, threepatta kumudam, and
pattikai. The bhitti starts with vedikai. The pilasters are of Brahma Kantha pilasters with kalasam, kudam, palakai, and vettu pothyal. The prastaram
consists of valapi, kapotam, with nasi kudus and madhalai. Antril birds are in
the valapi. An eka tala nagara vimanam is on the bhumi desam. Shiva,
Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, and Brahma are in the greeva koshtams. The Sigaram
was built with bricks.
HISTORY AND
INSCRIPTIONS
It is believed
that the original temple belongs to the 12th-14th Century
Pandya period. The temple received contributions from the Vijayanagara Nayakas. The
temple was reconstructed in recent years.
தென்பாறைக் குன்றத்திலுள்ள
சிவன் கோவில் பலிக்கல்லில் உள்ள 13 ஆம் நூற்றாண்டு கல்வெட்டு வடபாறை குன்றன் விடங்கன் சிவன் கோவிலுக்கு
வயக்கனாயர் பலி பீடக்கல் செய்தளித்ததைத் தெரிவிக்கிறது.
The 13th-century inscription on the balipeedam records that this balipeedam was gifted
by Vadaparai Kunran Vidangan.
Ref:
குமரி மாவட்டக் கல்வெட்டுகள், தொகுதி 5 (தோவாளை)
& 6.
LEGENDS
As per the
legend, in the process of churning the milk ocean to get the Amrit, by the
Asuras and celestial Deities, the alakala visham (poison) came out to destroy
this universe. The Devas and Asuras surrendered to Shiva to save them. Shiva
sent Sundarar to collect all the poison. Shiva sacrificed himself, drank the
poison, and saved the universe. Hence, it is called Thiyaga Vidangar.
In another
legend, A Siddha Yogi stayed in a cave on the Thenparai Kulakarai (on the banks
of the tank), and did a penance of Neelakandar to get his darshan. Satisfied with
his penance, Shiva gave darshan to the Siddhia Yogi. The Siddha Yogi, after
getting Shiva’s blessings, requested him to stay at this Thenparai to bless the
Devotees who come here. Shiva stayed here as Thiyaga Vidangar and blessed
the devotees.
POOJAS AND
CELEBRATIONS
Apart from
regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on Pradosham and Maha Shivaratri
days.
TEMPLE TIMINGS
The temple will
be kept open from 07.30 hrs to 09.45 hrs. On Fridays, the temple will be kept
open from 07.30 hrs to 11.00 hrs. Pradosham will be conducted from 17.00 hrs
to 18.30 hrs, and pournami poojas will be conducted from 17.00 hrs to 18.30
hrs.
Thiruvasagam
mutrum othuthal will be conducted on the first Friday of every Tamil Month.
CONTACT DETAILS
The priest may
be contacted on his mobile number +919944218069 for further details.
HOW TO REACH
The temple is on
a small hill on the banks of Thenparai Lake.
The temple is 11
km from Aralvaimozhi, 14 km from Nagercoil, and 29 km from Kanyakumari.
The nearest
Railway Station is Nagercoil.
LOCATION OF THE
TEMPLE: CLICK HERE
--- OM SHIVAYA
NAMA---
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