On the eve of Maha Shivratri, devotees visit twelve temples in Kumari district.
What are these twelve Shivalay Ota temples attended by tens of thousands of devotees?
Tirumala: The Tirumala temple adjacent to the town called Munsirai, where the temple procession begins, is revered as important. There are stairs to reach the temple on the hill. Shiva and Thirumal have separate shrines here. Sthala Purana says that Sri Rama came and worshiped here! .
It is said that Brahma, who did not know the meaning of pranava, was imprisoned here by Lord Muruga, hence this town is called Munsirai. After Sayaratcha Puja is over at Tirumala Temple, Shivalaya Ota starts. Then, they will reach Thikurichi via Marthandam.
Thikurichi: 12 km from Tirumala. Distance. The temple is located on the bank of Tamiraparani. There are shrines of Mahadeva, Vinayagar, Sridharmashastha and Nagaraja here. After bathing in the river and visiting Mahadev, from here it is 14 km through Arumanai Kalial. In the distance you can reach the temple with the famous waterfall called Dilparapu.
Tiruparapu: Magnificent temple facing west. It is worth mentioning that this temple is circular in shape. Special. There are shrines of Lord Mahadeva, Lord Muruga, Krishna, Anjaneya and Amman here.
Nandi is located in front of Shiva Lingam in Shiva temples. This is the norm. But here the sanctum sanctorum is on the side to appease the wrath of Shiva. The Tilparapu waterfall is even more beautiful and spectacular. Then you can visit Tirunandikarai!
Tirunandikarai: 8 km via Kulasekaram. Distance. Here, Eason Thiruvarul appears as Parvati Samethar. According to Sthala Purana, Lord Shiva, who could not bear the heat of the vast rock here, got up in the temple raft pond and ordered a temple to be built for him in the pond.
It is a temple built by the Tantris of Kerala state according to Agama Vidhi and Kerala Taku Shastra. Adjacent to the temple is a cave temple and inscriptions. Next, devotees run towards Ponman to visit Lord Shiva.
Ponmanai: About 7 km. Distance. Thimpilankudi Mahadev Temple is very famous in this area. Here, Lord Shiva blesses you facing east. After this darshan, they run towards the pigsty.
Pannipaham: This town is about 11 km. It is located far away. Located in a natural environment, the Chavpakgam temple has separate sanctums for Lord Ganesha and Nagaraja to house the Shiva Lingam in the sanctum sanctorum. After darshan, devotees proceed towards Kalkulam.
Kalkulam: 6 Kms from Chavpagat. Located at a distance. There you can reach the Kalkulam Neelakandeswarar temple located inside the famous Padmanabhapuram fort. A wonderful temple. The mind-blowing and calming atmosphere will further enthrall the devotees.
There is a 10-feet high Shivalingam here as the original idol. Local history says that Maharaja Marthandavarma, who was amazed to see the construction work of Meenakshiyamman Temple in Madurai, built this temple in the pattern of Tamil Nadu temple system with a beautiful tower in front. Next, the devotees will start running to Melongod.
Melangode: About 3 km. is far away. Melangode Isakhyamman Temple and Padmanapapuram Fort are also nearby. After that the devotees will continue towards Thiruvidaikode.
Thiruvidaikode: About 5 km. Thiruvidaikode is far away. This is one of the western facing temples. Built with Kerala- Tamilnadu architectural styles, another surprise…difference! . Next visit to Travancore.
Travancore: About 8 km. Distance. Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu have separate shrines here. The pillars of the temple hall are beautifully carved as sculptures of Krishnavatara events. This is one of the temples that speaks of architectural marvels. Next turn.
Tirupanrikode: About 9 km. This town is far away. This is the temple near Paliyadi. The Vimana has shrines for Srinarasimha and Ayyappa Swamy. Legend has it that this is the place where Lord Shiva and Nandi transformed into a goat and a pig respectively and Arjuna fought with Lord Shiva to hunt the pig! Then, Tirunatalam.
ThiruNattalam: About 4 kms from Thirupanrikott. They will run to this distant temple. This Tirunatalam is the 12th temple. Devotees will complete the run of the temple with this!
In this temple, Vishnu is given the name Srisankaranarayanar! Sthala Purana says that the 12th Rudraksha fell and Vyagrapadar built this temple.
Devotees take a dip in the Thirukkulam here, visit Lord Shiva and then Sankaranarayan, feel that Hari and Shiva are one, and leave full of joy and peace.
Let us feel that Hari and Shiva are one. Saiva Vaishnava worship without Vedas!
Govinda… Gopala… Lord Shiva of South!
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