Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Sankarankovil

The Temple

Sankarankovil is home to the famous Sankara Narayanan temple. It is situated at Tirunelveli District and 56 km away from Thirunelveli City. Sankarankovil is the second largest town in the district. It is very famous for "Adi Thabasu" festival. In older times, the city was called as Sankaranayinar kovil. Even now it is called as Sankaran Kovil.

Like every other temple, Sankarankovil has its own interesting story. Once the devotees of Lord Hari (or Vishnu) and Lord Shiva quarreled with each other to determine whose god is powerful. Then Lord Shiva appeared as Sankaranarayanar to mark his devotees to understand that both Hari and Shiva are one and the same. So it is held sacred by Saivites and Vaishnavites as well. Hence this temple depicts the concept of Hari and Haran being one God.

It was built by Ukira Pandiyan AC 900.It houses the deity by the name Sankara Narayanan, which is half - Lord Shiva and the other half - Lord Vishnu.

The Deities of this temple are Sri Sankareswarar, Sri Gomathi Amman and Sri Sankara Narayanar. Sankarankovil is also said to be home to the deity named Avudai Ambal-RR.

The general belief is that the Holy Sand "Puttrumann" (Puttru = Ant Hill, Mann = Sand) that you get from this temple is capable of curing all the diseases. Devotees believe that Sankarankovil‘s Nagasunai (sacred tank) have been dug by serpent kings named Paduman and Sangam which has a miraculous power to heal those who bathe there. The Annadhanam scheme is being conducted in the temple when daily noon meals are being provided for around 100 devotees.

The Puthu Maan in the temple is taken as a holy sand which could cure lot of disease by all devotees.

It is believed that all devotees who pray to the goddess Gomathi amman have always found solace.

History

Once upon a time a "Devan" (Angel) called "Manikkeerivan" was cursed by Goddess Parvathi. Because of which, he had to come to earth and work as gardener in a beautiful garden. One day while he was clearing a snake pit, the snake tail was also cut. He found a Sivalingam next to the snake. He went and informed about this to his king Ukira Pandiyan. The king considered it to be the god's wish to stay there and constructed the temple and a city around.

The snake pit (Ant Hill) is called "Vanmeekam". Hence the deity Sri Sankaralingar is also called "Vanmeeganadhar"

Sri Pampatti Siddhar Swamikal Temple

Pambatti siddhar was the latest from the 18 siddhars who lived at various time periods in India and mainly southern India. Some of his poems, roughly around 600 lines of text are available today. His poems are written in Tamil and he is famous for finishing his poems with the term 'Addu Pambe' which literally means 'dance, o snake'. Even his poems are addressed to snakes.

Some of his poems also addresses his spiritual teacher or guru. Pambatti siddhar comes from the line of saints who are believed to have possessed siddis or supernatural powers through rigorous meditation and other spiritual exercises. He is also believed to have caught snakes and sold them for living before he ventured into his spiritual quest.

One notable aspect of his works are the usage of common slang language to explain complex spiritual experiences and siddhis. He has a flavour for imagination and often mentions that salvation is not possible without love in one's heart. He is believed to have attained the highest level of siddhis by practising his rigorous techniques in the southern Indian temple hill Marudamalai. He is believed to have lived his final days in Sankarankovil, Tirunelveli district. His jeeva samaathi is now present at Puliankudi Road, Sankarankovil.

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