Attala Sokkanathar Temple

Overview

Attala Sokkanathar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is located in Melaperungarai, Ramanathapuram, Tamil Nadu, India.

About The Temple

Lord Shiva is a swayambumurthy. He is also praised as Rudraksha Shiva as He appears as if made of these beads. He is worshipped as Guru-Jupiter as He taught to black sparrow. Those having the impact of the past birth, pray here by lighting ghee lamps to Lords Shiva and Dakshinamurthy on Thursdays. Special pujas are performed in the temple on Jupiter transition day for Lords Shiva and Dakshinamurthy. It is believed that worshipping in the temple would reward the devotee with eight rare powers called Ashtama siddhies.

The temple is closely associated with the epic Tiruvilayadal Puranam speaking the glory of Lord Shiva and Mother Meenakshi in Madurai. The name of the Lord is Sokkanathar and that of Mother Meenakshi as in Madurai. Mother is on the right of Lord here also. She is dressed with green vastras on important religious days. Those facing adverse aspects of Mercury planet (Budha) pray to Mother. The shrine is covered with three Shaktis – Icha Shakti, Kriya Shakti and Gnana Shakti. There are eight elephants around the Lord’s shrine in the goshta wall which are bearing the Vimana in the sanctum sanctorum, according to belief. The feeding of stone elephant with sugarcane is an important festival. As eight elephants are bearing Lord’s Vimana, He is praised as Attala Sokkanathar. Juradeva in Shiva temples is idol form but He is in Linga form too in this temple. Both are in the same shrine. Those suffering from fever perform abishek to idol Juradeva with pepper water and with milk to Linga Juradeva. There is a vast tank opposite the temple. As the place is on the western bank of the tank, it is named Mela Perungarai – Western Bank.

Legend and Stories

In days of yore, the place was a jungle of Kadamba trees. Though his good deeds adequately outnumbered his small wrongs in the previous birth, a man was born as a black sparrow in his next birth. The black sparrow came to this region as it was harassed by the bigger birds. While sadly sitting on a tree to find a solution for its suffering, the sparrow saw a Maharsi teaching his disciples saying that Madurai was the place to come out of any sins committed either in this or past birth. This inspiring advice instilled confidence in the small bird and began worshipping Lord Sokkanatha. Lord Shiva with Ambica granted darshan to the sparrow and as a Guru taught the lesson that even small wrongs would spoil the benefit of big dharmas. The sparrow attained salvation. As requested by the bird, Lord stayed here in the form of Linga. The temple was built here later.

Festivals

Shivarathri in Vaikasi (May-June), Offering Sugarcane to elephant on Thai Pongal (January), Karthikai (November-December),Annabishekam in Aipasi (October-November), Thiruvadhirai in Margazhi (December-January) are the festivals celebrated in the temple every year.

Significance

Devotees pray for remedy from illness, Lord Juradeva in particular for relief from various fevers, for relief from the bad effects continuing from past birth and for progress in trade and profession.

How To Reach Sri Attala Sokkanathar Temple, Melaperungarai

Air

The nearest airport is situated at Madurai Airport.

Rail

The nearest railway station is situated at Paramakudi Railway Station.

Road

Parthipanur is 58 km from Madurai on the Rameswaram road. Melaperungarai is 2 km from this place.

Temple Address

Sri Attala Sokkanathar Temple,
Melaperungarai, Parthipanur,
Ramanathapuram District, Tamil Nadu,
Pincode – 623608.