Kalkulam Neelakandaswamyth Temple
Thiruthalam Location : Thakkalai is a town 16 kilometers west of Nagercoil, the capital of Kanyakumari district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Padmanabhapuram is a town 1 km north of here. This Padmanabhapuram itself was called Kalkulam in ancient times
Source: Neelakandeswarar
Shivalaya Otam : On the day of Maha Shivratri, in Kanyakumari district, ‘Shivalaya Otam’ is a long-standing event of visiting twelve temples. This temple run is to realize the philosophy that Arya and Shiva are one.
Head History : Purushamiruka has a human form above the waist and a tiger form below. It is also said that Sage Pulikal took such a form after Sage Vyagrapada prayed to Lord Shiva. Purushamirugam did not like Tirumala. If anyone uttered Tirumal’s name within his territory he would be attacked.
Bhima believed that the power of worship was better than the power of penance. It was Sri Krishna’s desire to make Bhima and Purushamiruga realize that Shiva and Arya are one. Dharma once planned to perform a Rajasuya Yagama. So, he instructed Bhima to bring the milk of Purushamiruga for the yaga. He also agreed. But he hesitated as to how to get milk from that Purushamiyar who hated Vaishnavism.
Thinking that this was the right moment, Sri Krishna said, “Don’t be afraid, Bhima. I will give you twelve Rudraksha nuts. When Purushamiruga comes to attack you, drop one of the Rudraksha nuts. It becomes Shiva Linga. Once you see the linga, you can easily escape if you start worshiping Purushamirugam.”
Bhima went to the forest with the twelve Rudraksha nuts given by Sri Krishna. Purushamirugam was sitting on a rock in Tirumala doing penance towards Lord Shiva. Bhima shouted “Govinda, Gopala”. Thus the male animal’s penance was dissolved. It angrily chased Bhima. Immediately Bhima threw down a rudraksha. The next moment it turned into a Shivalinga. On seeing the Shiv Lingam Purushamirugam started Shiva Puja. “Govinda, Gopala,” Bhima raised his voice. Purusha Mrigama started chasing Bhima. Bhima again threw down a rudraksha. There too it became Shivalinga this place Thikurichi.
Similarly, when Thirunathalam placed the Rudraksha in the twelfth place beyond the eleventh place, Purushamirugam caught Bhima. Then one leg of Bhima was inside the bull and the other outside. Bhima immediately said, “I have crossed your limit. Leave me alone!” he said to Purushamirugam.
Both of them sought justice from Dharmar who came there. Being unbiased, he ruled that “Half of the body belongs to Purushamiruga, as a quarter is within the boundaries of Purushamiruga.” Purushamirugam was happy to see this. Then, Sri Krishna, who appeared there with a beam of light, gave Bhima and Purushamiruga the philosophy that ‘Ari and Shiva are one’. Both worshiped Lord Krishna. Purushamirugam helped Dharma’s Rajasuya Yagya take place. It is said that when Bhima threw the Rudrakshas to escape Purushamiruga, all of them turned into Shiva Lingams and temples arose.
The demon Sundotharan was very devoted to Lord Shiva. He prayed to Lord Shiva and did severe penance at Tirumala. Appreciating his penance, Shiva said that he would give him the boon that the demon deserved. Immediately the demon asked for a boon saying, ‘Whoever’s head I touch should turn to ashes’. Shiva also gave that boon. Was he really gifted? He tried to touch Shiva’s head to find out. Immediately, Shiva runs from there shouting ‘Gopala, Govinda’.
Finally Thirumal takes an avatar in Natalam as Mohini. Tirumal, mesmerized by Mohini’s beauty, destroys the monster by touching its head with his hand. Thus it is said that Shivalayams were built at 12 places where Lord Shiva ran and hid, and temples were built for both of them as Thirumal guarded Lord Shiva. It is special that a large number of devotees from not only Tamil Nadu but also Kerala participate in this Shivalayam procession.
Devotees who perform this shivalaya procession on the day of Maha Shivratri wear garlands on Ekadasi in the month of Masi. They will fast from that day. They don’t eat anything in the morning before Shivratri and leave wearing saffron clothes. They start the procession from Tirumala to the temple chanting Govinda Gopala. Twelve temples will be visited in this series. In the twelfth temple, Tirunatha, sandalwood is offered and in other temples, Thirunee is offered. This worship takes place in the month of Masi. On the first day of Shivaratri, thousands of devotees dress in saffron and run and crawl around the twelve Saivite shrines around Padmanathapuram within 24 hours. Devotees who take part in Shivalay Ota wear garlands and fast before the specified time. Those who observe Ekadasi fast are devotees who run on temple pilgrimage.
They do not eat things burnt by fire. They only eat watercress, nungu and banana. Devotees who come to visit Shiva chant Vishnu’s name ‘Govinda!’ Gopala!!’
It is customary in Jainism for devotees to carry a fan while going on a pilgrimage. Also, Kudavarai temple at Tirunandikarai, cave temple at Tilparap, footprints near Pannippakkam and stone-carved eyes at Tirumala confirm that this stream originated from the Jain period.
It is a festival established for Saiva Vainava unity. During this festival, devotees visit 12 Shiva temples. This run starts from Munsirai Tirumala Mahadev temple. Devotees who run along the route chanting ‘Govinda Gopala’, the public provides buttermilk and drinking water along the way. The procession starts from Munsarai, Thikutchi Mahadeva Temple, Tirunandikarai Shiva Temple, Ponmanai Thimbilarkudi Mahadeva Temple, Kalkulam Neelakanda Mahadeva Temple, Melangodu Shiva Temple, Thiruvidaikodu Mahadeva Temple, Kozhiporvilai Mahadeva Temple Sankaranarayanar Temple and ends the Shivalayam.
Kalkulam: Local history says that Maharaja Marthandavarma, who was amazed to see the construction work of Meenakshiyamman temple in Madurai, built this temple in Tamilnadu temple style with a beautiful tower at the front. Kalkulam Padmanabhapuram Neelakanda Swamy Temple, the 7th of the twelve temples, 7 km from Tiruppanni Bhagam has separate temples for Shiva and Amman in the complex. There is a mandapam connecting the two temples. Among the twelve temples, this is the only temple dedicated to the Goddess.
Shiva in the garden west of this temple is known as Adi Shiva. The height of this lingam is 160 cm and this Shiva grew as Swayambu. When the Venadarasas were here, a running horse stopped at the site of this temple. The king saw a Swayambu lingam where the horse stood. He built a temple at that place.
After a long trek of 6 kms from Chajpaga, one reaches the Kalkulam Neelakandeswarar Temple located inside the famous Padmanabhapuram Fort. There is a 10 feet high Shiva Lingam as the main idol here. It is said that Maharaja Marthandavarma, who was amazed by the construction work of Meenakshiyamman Temple in Madurai, built this temple in the image of the temple system of Tamil Nadu, with a beautiful tower at the front. There are Nilakandeswarar and Shakti shrines here. Next, devotees run towards Melonkodu.
Padmanabhapuram Palace is 20 km away from Nagercoil. The city was the capital of the then Travancore principality. This temple is located in Kalkulam. The temple is built in Kerala style and Tamil Nadu style. King Cherar installed many sculptures in this very ancient temple. Kerala king Marthanda Varma also beautified this temple by making repairs. The prakaram here has many beautiful Bhavaiyar Murthys lined up with lamps in their hands.
This is the seventh temple among the 12 temples. Kalkulam was the capital of the Chera kings. Even today the fort is well preserved. Spread over an area of 186 acres, the fort was known as Kalkulam until the time of Veeramarthandavarma Maharaja. Maharaja Marthandavarma also took his oath in this palace. Kalkulam was the capital of Venad. Thanks to the efforts of Marthandavarma, the country expanded and became the Kingdom of Travancore after the Greeks in 1744 in Thiruvananthapuram. Kalkulam seems to have been named Padmanabhapuram in its memory. The fort walls are 30 feet high. The temple is made up of 4 massive stone walls. There are 4 major gates and 5 minor gates.
Sanctum Structure: The Neelakandaswamy Temple is located within this Kalkulam fort and is surrounded by a large stone wall. The Lord here is called Thiruneelakander. The temple faces east. Among the twelve temples in Kanyakumari district, this temple is the only one with a tower. Here there is Adimula Lingam as Adimula Murthy. It is located at a height of 10 feet. To the left of the temple is a large Theppakulam, where there is an Anandavalli shrine and an idol like Goddess Meenakshi. Goddess Meenakshi has a parrot in her hand. But here Anandavalli Devi has a bag in her hand and Shasta temple outside the temple. On the left are statues of Karna, Shiva, Thirumal, Parasuraman, Sriraman and Archunar.
Amman temple
Amman temple is north of Shiva temple facing east. It consists of sanctum sanctorum, prakaram and thiruchutu mandapam. Amman temple has the same structure as Shiva temple and there are 5 pillars in the southern part of Thiruchuttu Mandapam, 8 pillars in the western part and 5 pillars in the northern part. There is a schoolhouse on the east side of the prakaram. In the sanctum sanctorum there is a standing statue of Anandavalli.
Between the Shiva temple and Amman temple is a long hall with 12 pillars. There are entrances to this mandapam on the south side of the Amman temple and on the north side of the Shiva temple. There is also a Ganapati temple here.
Surrounding the Shiva and Amman temple is a large open outer prakaram and thiruchuttu mandapam. There is a flagpole in the eastern prakaram. The southern part of the outer prakara round hall has 30 pillars, the western part has 23 pillars and the northern part has 23 pillars. The pillars have lantern sculptures. To the south-east of the outer prakaram is a stone-built Shasta temple with an east-facing vimana.
Chantendhya Bhavai: On the pillar next to the Nayak pillar she wears a pullak along with various ornaments. Hair is braided. Subtly constructed.
Other highlights in Chitra Mandapam:
Yatshini
Man with Anjali Hasta
Lord Vishnu
Karna who attracts clothes
Nude girl
Sages
Anjali is a servant of Hasta
Monkey with jackfruit in hand and head
Ganesha
Kalkulam Mahadeva (Neelakandaswamy) Temple
Yali Mandapa Sculptures:
8 yalis with elephant motif under the hymn
Ganesha
black
Goddess Temple Sculptures:
Arjuna Tapas
the lion
Sage
No dance
Rama with bow
swordsman
slave
Make-up girl (looks in the mirror and applies make-up)
A boy who seduces a princess
Karna
Cupid (sculpture standing with cane bow to show one-armed Varada seal)
Subramanian (4-armed sculpture seated on a peacock; Shakti, Vajrayutas in upper arms, Abhaya, Varada mudra in lower arms)
Ganesha
Shiva
black
the swan
Shasta (in Utkutika Asana)
Deer
Shiva carrying a broom
Vaden (carrying the deer on his shoulders)
Shiva on bed of snakes (draped Shiva under umbrella)
Festivals: Festivals are held every month. Pelarnami festival is held in the month of Chitrai and Aadi festival is held for Goddess Mars. On the first Tuesday women worship the goddess early in the morning. Thiruvona festival is held in Avani month and Navratri festival in Puratasi month. Thirukarthikai in the month of Karthikai, Thiruvadhirai in the month of Margazhi, Thirukalyanam in the month of Tai, Shivratri in the month of Masi, Panguni festival and Arattu in the month of Panguni are held. The temple was built in the best way by the kings and all the ceremonies are being done properly.
inscriptions
P.U. In the inscription of 1237 (T.A.S. Vol. VII Part II p.126) there is a message that Veerakerala Varman, king of Venatu gave away land and gave conditions. There is a message about arrangements made to provide food during the Buddharishi ceremony at the temple along with the cost details. [is in the temple]
P.U. In the Tamil inscription of 1577 (T.A.S. Vol. VII Part II p.127) there is a news that the temple was consecrated in Malayalam year 753(1577). [The temple’s Kalasa Mandapam is on the western wall of the enclosure]
P.U. In the inscription of 1579, there is a message that Venatarasan came to the temple called Ravivarman and was ordered to do woodwork and on the 1st day of Kartika 1579, Kalasa Puja was performed. [Temple casket hall is on the enclosure wall]
P.U. In an inscription dated 1593, there is a message that Venatarasan Tirupayur Iravvarman worshiped Kalkulam Mahadeva on Purvapaksha Tithi in the month of Karthikai in Anusha Nakshatra. [Temple casket hall is on right pillar]
P.U. An inscription dated 1681 records that Kalkulam Mahadeva temple properties were in Nanjil. [In private]
P.U. In the inscription of 1686, there is a message that Tiruvattaru Desam Iravi Padmanabhan built a stone temple to perform Maheswara Puja and that Kalkulam Mahadeva rose in this temple.
P.U. Mahadeva is called Nilakandaswamy in a Nibandha inscription dated 1710. The area where the temple was located is called Sarakonam. [In the Padmanabhapuram Palace Museum]
P.U. A 17th century inscription tells the story of Marthandan Narayanan erecting a row of pillars in the temple. [Temple casket hall is on left pillar]
The temple is open from 5.00 am to 11.00 am and from 5.00 pm to 8.00 pm.
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