Thiruvithamcode Mahadevar Temple
The Thiruvithamcode Mahadevar Temple is a prominent Shiva temple in the village of Thiruvithamcode, located in the Villukuri Panchayat of Kanyakumari district. The presiding deity, Lord Shiva, is called Mahadevar and is also referred to as Sadaiyappar. This temple is the ninth among the twelve Shiva temples associated with the Sivalaya Ottam ritual.
Location
Thiruvithamcode is situated in Villukuri Panchayat in Kalkulam Taluk, Kanyakumari district. The temple is located near a canal in Thiruvithamcode village, about 1 km east of Villukuri, along the Nagercoil–Thiruvananthapuram road.
Presiding Deity
The main deity is widely known as Mahadevar, but the deity’s official name is Sadaiyappar. The idol is installed in the linga form with a height of about two feet. The linga has a mark indicating that it was once cut on its top portion.
Legend and History
The Story of Idai Kaadar
Idai Kaadar, a herdsman and one of the 18 Siddhas, grazed his goats at the foothills of Podhigai. When the Navagrahas visited him during a famine, he offered them goat milk mixed with millet flour, which saved them. Impressed by his wisdom and devotion, the Navagrahas ensured rainfall in the region.
Sadaiyappar’s Discovery
According to legend, a young boy from the Paraiyar community and a Muslim boy discovered the linga under a bilva tree while plucking fruits. The villagers later built a small temple for the linga, which had a hair-like texture on its top, leading to the deity being called Sadaiyappar.
The Story of the Nandi
When sculptors were carving the linga, avudaiyar (pedestal), and Nandi, they noticed unusual aggression in the Nandi idol. To control this, they broke its horn and partially split its hump. The Nandi remains in this incomplete form in the temple.
Architecture
Temple Complex
The temple spans about 2 acres and features a northern entrance as the primary gateway. The complex has various structures, including an outer prakaram, inner prakaram, and sanctum. The sanctum is crowned with a Nagara-style vimana adorned with stucco images of deities like Dakshinamurthy, Narasimha, Indra, and Brahma.
Outer Prakaram
The outer prakaram houses the temple office, small rooms, and a well. It also features a sacred tree where sculptures of Nagaraja, Sastha, and Vinayaka are present.
Nandi Mandapam
The Nandi mandapam has intricately carved Nandi with broken horns and a split hump, accompanied by other sculptures like dwarapalakas.
Tank (Theppakulam)
The temple features a sacred tank for rituals and festivals.
Festivals and Rituals
Thiruvathirai Festival
The temple celebrates Thiruvathirai with a unique tradition involving both the Paraiyar and Muslim communities. A Muslim family from Alur village prepares offerings in the form of flatbreads (parivattam) and presents them to a family from the Paraiyar community. These are then brought in a procession to the temple, where they are offered to Sadaiyappar and Sastha.
Daily Worship and Other Celebrations
Regular pujas and special festivals, including Navaratri, are conducted. The temple has historically been associated with both Hindu and Islamic traditions, symbolizing harmony.
Historical Significance
The temple dates back to the pre-9th century CE and is linked to the Ay dynasty. The earliest inscriptions belong to King Kokkarunandadakkan (c. 857–885 CE), indicating the temple’s prominence during his reign. The sanctum’s construction and inscriptions suggest the temple’s origin may trace back to the 7th century CE.
Inscriptions
The temple houses 27 inscriptions in Tamil and Tamil-Vattezhuthu scripts, dating from the 9th to the 17th centuries. Key inscriptions include:
- 869 CE: Donation of cows for oil lamps by a merchant from Mudukulathur.
- 877 CE: Grants by King Kokkarunandadakkan.
- 12th–13th Century: Arrangements for feeding Brahmins during the new moon by Alur-based donors.
- Later Periods: Donations and temple renovations.
These inscriptions provide valuable insights into the temple’s history, social customs, and patronage.
The Thiruvithamcode Mahadevar Temple stands as a testament to ancient Tamil architecture, religious harmony, and rich cultural traditions.
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