Shivalayam Ottam 5 – Ponmanai Thimbileshwarar Temple, Ponmanai, Kanyakumari district, Tamilnadu
Introduction
Thimbileshwarar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Ponmanai in Kanyakumari District of Tamilnadu. The temple is a part of the famed Shivalaya Ottam conducted during Shivaratri. It is the fifth temple in the run sequence. The Temple is located at about 19 Kms from Kumaracoil, 26 Kms from Vilavancode, and 62 Kms from Thiruvananthapuram. Nearest Railway Station is located at Eraniel and Nearest Airport is located at Thiruvananthapuram.
Puranic Significance
Swayambu Lingam: It is said that a shepherd by name Theembil Adhipan when cutting grass for the calf’s, was shocked to note the outpouring blood from a stone. When he removed the covering bushes, he saw a self appeared lingam (Swayambu). He started worshipping the Lingam. Hence, the lord is called as Thimbileshwarar. The Temple is believed to be 1000 years old. Sage Vyakarapadhar worshipped Lord Shiva here: SageVyakarapadhar visited this place and worshipped Lord Shiva here.
Special Features
The Temple is situated on the banks of river Thamiraparani facing east. The temple of Thimbileshwarar is a very ancient one as seen by the architecture here. The temple has a Kodimaram and a tiered granite lamp in the front. The stone pillars, corridors, mandapams, tiled roofs all point to the architectural style of the bygone eras. Presiding Deity is called as Thimbileshwarar. The Sanctum is round in shape. The nine planets are carved nicely on the roof of the Nandhi Mandapam. Theertham associated with this temple is Thamirabarani River. The temple is believed to have undergone renovations during the period of Chola and Pandiya kings.
Moolavar Thimpilankudi is in the form of Mahadeva Linga. There is a cut mark on the head. The sanctum sanctorum Shiva lingam does not have an Auduiyar. Ashtabandana is an unconsecrated Swayambu lingam.
Thala Purana of Thimphilankudi Mahadeva temple in Ponman is an oral story.
Before Ponman was a dense forest, farmers used to live in this area. Tippilan was cutting a tree one day when the stone of the knife fell on the stone and blood oozed on the stone. When the villagers came and removed the bushes, they found a Swayambu lingam. They built a temple and worshiped there. The temple was called Thimphilan Iswaran after Kanikaran and later became Thimphilankudi Mahadev Temple. It is believed that the footprint cut by Thimphilan is found in Shivalinga.
Temple structure
The temple has an area of one acre. The area around the temple and the pond belong to the temple.
The front part of the eastern partha temple is made of Kerala style thatched roof with a tall toran gate through which the elephant enters. The eastern outer campus has a Kerala-style school. In the north-east is the temple office. In the center is a 40-foot copper-clad flagpole installed in 1994. In the south-east there are Naga sculptures.
There is a western gate and a gate. Yatsi is consecrated in the north-west corner. There is also a northern gate.
In the center of the square-shaped temple is the sanctum sanctorum and opposite is the Nandi Mandapam. There are round halls on all four sides. The outer prakara is covered with black stone.
Crossing the front door are two 16-pillared stone pavilions on the south and north, 25 cm above the ground level. are at altitude. There are no sculptures on the pillars. A.k.a. may have been built in the 18th or 19th century with a system of pillars. Perumal speculates
Round Halls:
The six pillars of the open-air circular hall in the eastern inner prakara have unadorned Deepalakshmi sculptures. Its whitewash has obscured the image.
The round halls in the south, west and north utprakaras have 21 stone pillars. These mandapams are divided into two parts, ground level and ground level elevated. Madapalli is in the south-east and Ukkiranpura in the south-west.
The ground level area of the northern round hall has lighted male sculptures. Thirukinaram is in the north-east and Ukkiranpura in the north-west.
Sanctum sanctorum: The exterior of the temple sanctum sanctorum is circular in Kerala style with a conical roof covered with copper plates. The interior of the womb is oblong in shape. In front of it is the Artha Manapam and behind it is the elevated sanctum sanctorum. The Swayambu lingam in the sanctum is 12 cm. Elongated. The sanctum sanctorum also has a Utsava idol.
The front door of the Sri temple has unadorned Dwarpalagar sculptures on both sides. On the south side outside the Srikovil is a later enshrined Ganesha Parivar deity. In the middle of the southern inner prakara, Shasta is seated in Utgudikasana, carrying a cendu.
Nandi Mandapam: Opposite the sanctum sanctorum is the 8-pillared gabled Nandi Mandapam. The Nandi sculpture is literally standing in front of the deity. There are rope beads around the neck. Nandi sculpture in stone 70 cm. tall
The roof of the Nandi Mandapam has beautifully carved wooden carvings. At the top of the roof are the Ashtatik Balakas and Brahma in the middle. There are 8 dancing manga sculptures in four directions.
On the north and east sides of the Nandi Mandapam there are Ramayana carvings at the base of the ceiling. On the east side ceiling of the hall are four sculptures related to the Ramayana performance. The southern ceiling of the hall has a variety of sculptures. All the sculptures are completely intact. Among the twelve temples, only Ponmanai temple has such wooden sculptures.
Sculptures under the ceiling on the north side of Nandi Mandapam.
The scene of Raman shooting an arrow at the deer – The arrow pierces the deer’s neck and comes out the other side
Scene of Lakshmana lying on Rama’s lap – Kamban’s Yuddhakanda performance – Rama mourns Lakshmana on his lap as he loses his memory due to Nagastra.
Ravana seduces Sita in the chariot – Ravana stands on the chariot with weapons in all ten hands and Sita is sad with her hands on the chariot’s head.
The scene where Hanuman buys Kaniyazhi from Rama
Vanavasa scene of Rama, Sita and Lakshmana – Lakshmana stands while Rama and Sita sit on a small platform, three trees in the background
Ravana Durbar Scene – Ravana is seated on the stage with weapons in ten hands, opposite is Surbanagai with her chest and nose cut off.
A.K.Perumal speculates that it might be a minister nearby.Consultation scene – Sugrivan, Hanuman, Lakshmana sit down to consult about the search for Sita, monkey warrior Hanuman is on guard on a tree. Only Surasa’s head is shown. Hanuman’s legs are visible outside Araki’s mouth and head outside his ears.
Sculptures under the east side roof of Nandi Mandapam.
Vanaraveera fights Sri Lankan warrior – Vanaraveera steps between the enemy with his right foot is subtle Ashokavana Sita – Hanuman stands opposite Sita lying under a tree with crown and gives Kaniyazhi to Sita. It is clear that Hanuman holds Kaniyazhi between his index finger and thumb and stretches it dynamically.
Sculptures of Arakyas – Two Arakyas guarding Sita. They are both with fangs, one holding a sword, spear and shield, the other holding a spear.
Scene of Hanuman coming to Ashokavana: Hanuman climbs a tree to sleep the guards who come to Ashokavana in search of Sita.
Sculptures of Warriors, Dancing Mangis Standing Kolam of Rama Lakshmana – flanked by Vanara Warriors
Hanuman in Ravana’s court – Hanuman sits on his tail seat higher than his seat in Ravana’s court. Hanuman has Katha in his hand and Ravana has ten arms and weapons.
Sculptures under the south side roof of Nandi Mandapam.
Anjali is a servant of Hasta
A man carrying a bouquet of flowers
Sage
A hero carrying a spear
An artist who pours brass
Lingam between Tigers – Tigers are on either side of the Shiva Lingam under the tree. A tiger licks the Shivalinga with its tongue
Lingam near the cow – Cow licks the Shiva lingam with two servants near it.
Monkey Arsana Lingam – Shiva Lingam is worshiped by two monkeys with flowers. Behind the performing monkey stands another monkey with a long penis.
Performer of Yaga Pooja – Bell in one hand and Deeparathana plate in the other. Mupuri wears thread. There is a yaga fire and above is a fruit tree.
Cooling by the fire scene – A man cools himself with both arms stretched out near a fire burning in a large pot. He has no clothes on his body, clothes hang from the frame above.
Sculptures under the west side roof of Nandi Mandapam.
Raman
Sita
Lakshmana
Surpanagai – In the case of having the chest and nose cut off
Gangalanathar
Indra – holding Vajrayuta in hand, showing Abhaya mudra in one hand and Varada mudra in one hand.
History
The construction of the Ponmanai temple has to be inferred based on oral reports and construction period. No inscriptional evidence has been found in this temple.
Thenkumari Devasam Department records list this temple as Major Devasam. The temple is associated with Thalapurana Malays. A.K.Perumal mentions these reasons as proof that the temple is ancient.
It is said that it may have been built in the 15th century with the sanctum structure and the round hall and mukha mandapam may have been built in the 17th century. Perumal encourages.
Festival: The Ponmanai temple festival starts on Thiruvadhirai day in the month of Panguni and lasts for ten days. Kalasa Pooja is the main ritual in the ceremony. There is an elephant procession of Utsava Murthy for ten days.
On the seventh day of the festival, an elephant crawls around the town carrying the utsava murti. This happened after temple entry was allowed.
On the ninth day of the festival, there is a Kathakali performance. A hunting event is also held on the same day. In the hunting program, the temple priest cuts the water with a knife.
On the 10th day, the Aaratu program is going on. Sribali, the elephant, leaves at three in the morning and takes the worship of the people in the locality and bathes in the old river and reaches the temple at two in the night. After this the flag will be lowered.
Shivratri Festival: When Shivalay pilgrims visit Ponmanai temple, the family of Terimedu Padmanayar will give millet porridge, sweet pepper juice water and chakka ericheri as alms.
Festivals
- Shivalaya Ottam • Shivaratri • Thiruvadirai • Chittirai kodiyetram Peruvizha
Century/Period/Age
1000 Years old
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