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Temple
History:
Serpent King Naga was a staunch
Shiva devotee. Paduman, also a serpent,
was a staunch Vishnu devotee. Both were
frequently debating about the supremacy of their respective Lords. They went to Mother Parvathi for a
verdict. Ambica took to penance praying
to both Lords to grant a joint darshan to establish the truth that both were
only equal. Responding to Mother’s
penance, both granted darshan jointly as Sankara Narayana. Shiva also granted a darshan to Mothr
Parvathi as Sankaralingam. In the days
that followed, this Linga was covered by an anthill. The two serpents also were in. A devotee while demolishing the anthill, cut
the tail of one serpent which began to bleed.
The incident was immediately communicated to the Pandya king. He immediately built this temple.
Lord Sankaranarayana shrine is in
between the shrines of Lord Shiva and Mother Gomathi. The right side of the deity belonging to Lord
Shiva has Agni the fire, Ganga, crescent moon and the turf, ear ring, Rudraksha
on the chest, Mazhu the weapon of Lord Shiva and tiger skin clothing in waist. Sangan is holding the umbrella in the
Tiruvasi – the frame around the Lord. On
the left, belonging to Lord Vishnu, appears with His gem studded crown, a
hanging ear ring-Kundalam-tulsi bead and Lakshmi mala in chest, a conch and the
silk-peethambara around the waist.
Paduma is holding the umbrella in this side. Tulsi theertha is offered as Prasad during
morning pujas. Vibuti the sacred ash is
offered during other pujas. Garlands of
Tulsi and flowers are offered during the pujas.
Vilwa for Shiva and Tulsi for Vishnu are used in pujas.
Lord Shiva is fond of
Abishek-bathing while Lord Vishnu is fond of attractive dressing. Lord Sankaranaraya always appears in His best
Alankara-dressing. Abishek in the shrine
is offered to Lord Chandramouleeswara the Spatika Linga-crystal Linga. Pujas are offered to Him on Shivrathri and
new moon days. He comes of the shrine to
grant darshan to Ambica on Aadi Thapasu festival day.
Gomathi: Go means cow and Mathi Moon in Sanskrit. Maidens from the celestial world came along
with Ambica in the form of cows to help Her penance. With a face as radiant as the Moon and being
owner of cows, Ambica is called Gomathi.
She is also praised as Aavudayambikai being the Tamil version of Gomathi. Mother is dressed with flowers on Mondays and
golden skirt on Fridays. Those facing
problems in wedding efforts and concern about children’s welfare pray to Mother
Gomathi lighting lamps made of rice flour mixed with ghee.
Sri Chakra, personifying the glory
and power of Shakti is installed either under the peeta bearing Ambica or in
front of the peeta. Here, Sri Chakra is
installed in the Mandap before Ambica.
This is called Agna Chakra. Those
with depression and confusion sit on this Chakra and pray to Ambica. They believe they would be freed from
confusions.
Greatness
Of Temple
Aadi Thapasu festival: Thapas means penance.
Mother Parvathi took to penance to have the darshan of Lord Shiva and
Lord Vishnu combined as Sankara Narayana.
This is the festival called Aadi Thapasu running for 12 days. As this is a festival exclusively for Ambica,
She alone comes in the car procession.
On the last day, Ambica goes to the Thapas Mandapa with a bag of sacred
ashes – Vibhuti. Lord Sankaranarayana
grants darshan to Ambica in the evening and enters the temple on the elephant
vahan together.
While Annabishekam is performed in
Shiva temples in Aipasi-October-November, this takes place here on the first
day of Aipasi and also in Chithirai-April-May with a prayer that the year
should begin without shortage of food grains in the beginning of the year
(Chithirai is the fist month of Tamil year) and Aipasi happens to be the
beginning of auspicious days.
It is also noteworthy that Vaikunda
Ekadasi in December-January is celebrated with equal festivity as in Vishnu
temples for which a Sorga Vasal is constructed in the temple. Lord Vishnu grants darshan in a palanquin in
reclining form.
There is a shrine for Lord Vanmeeka
Nathar in the Shiva prakara. Lord Shiva
in this shrine appears in an ant-hill form, his true form. It is designed as if He is sitting on a
serpent with its head above Him as an umbrella.
Vanmeekam means ant-hill. As Lord
Shiva is in the Vanmeekam, He is praised as Vanmeekanathar. Those afflicted with adverse snake planet
aspects, pray in the shrine spraying
turmeric powder. There are five
Naga idols before this shrine. Devotees
perform abishek to these idols with milk.
Tooth pain prayer: As a tradition, Lord Lingodhbava or Lord Vishnu grace on the
goshta wall around the sanctum. In this
temple, this slot is occupied by Lord Yoga Narasimha. Those suffering from tooth ache pray here
with abishek for relief from pain.
Special pujas are offered here on Purattasi Saturdays in
September-October.
There is a shrine for Lord Sarpa
Vinayaka – Vinayaka with a Serpent in hand.
Those facing adverse effects serpent planet Ragu, worship here at Rahu
Kalam time (4.30 p.m. to 6.00 p.m.) on Sundays.
To protect children from poisonous bite, devotees offer Arugampul (a
variety of grass) garlands with Milk porridge (Payasam) as nivedhana to Lord
Sarpa Vinayaka.
As a custom, on the Skanda Sashti
festival of destroying demon Surapanma, Lord Muruga appears with a single face
only in the Subramanya form. He graces with
six faces that day in this temple. The
wedding festival of Deivanai is celebrated the next day.
Thanks
giving
Devotees offer abishek, vastras and nivedhanas to Lord
Sankaranarayana and Mother Gomathi.
Prayers
Devotees pray here to develop the quality of love for all
promoting unity and to be simple and austere in nature
Festival
Aadi Thapasu in July-August; 41 day Brahmmotsavam in
Panguni-Chithirai covering March to May; Aipasi wedding festival in
October-November and Thai float festival in January-February are the festivals
celebrated in the temple.
Temple's
Speciality
Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu grace the devotees together from
the sanctum sanctorum. During March and September months, the rays of Sun fall
on Sankaralingam for three days from 21st of the respective months.
Opening
Time
The temple is open from 5.00 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and from
4.00 p.m. to 9.00 p.m.
Address
The Executive Officer, Sri Sanakara Narayana Temple,
Sankarankoil-627 756
Phone
+91- 4636 - 222 265, 94862 40200.
General
Information
Lord Sri Sankaranarayana is the main
deity in the temple. Vinayaka is Anugnai Vinayaka. The temple has a 9 tier Rajagopuram. The ant-hill sand is offered as Prasad which
the sick consume along with water for cure.
Devotees facing problems due to the presence of poisonous creatures in
their houses as lizards, scorpions and snakes offer silver pieces embossed with
the images of such creatures for solution.
The festival of Lord Shiva seated on
His bull vehicle Nandhi granting Darshan to 63 Nayanmars takes place during
Chithirai (April-May) and Margazhi (December-January) months. Adhikara Nandhi is at the entrance with His
consort Suyajadevi and the Nandhi before the sanctum is under a Rudraksha Pandal-tent
Location
:
Sankarankoil is 120 km from Madurai, 30 km from
Rajapalayam and 56 km from Tirunelveli. Bus and rail facilities are available
from Madurai.
Near By Railway Station : Sankarankoil Near By Airport : Madurai |
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