Sorimuthu Ayyanar Temple

Overview

Sorimuthu Ayyanar Temple is dedicated to Hindu God Sastha located in Karaiyar near Papanasam in Thirunelveli District of Tamilnadu. The Temple is situated between Papanasam and Karaiyar Dam. The temple is situated at the confluence point of Kadana and Rama Rivers. On Panguni Uthiram day Puja is performed in grand scale for 3 days. This beautiful Temple is situated amidst Pothigai Hills. This is one of the five important temples of Sastha along with Sabarimalai, Achankoil, Aryankavu and Kulathupuzha. Of the five famous Lord Ayyappa temples, this is considered the Mooladhara. As the temple happens to be the first Aiyappan temple, people committing to Sabarimalai begin their undertaking by wearing the Mala from here.

About The Temple

This is not the temple of Ayyanar, the village God as it looks like from the name but that of Ayyan (Aiyappan), the Sastha. There are three main deities Lord Shiva as Mahalinga Swamy, Sastha and Boothathar along with a large number of sub-deities. Lord Shiva is the prime deity of the temple and the temple is being managed by Singampatty Zamin. The temple is situated at the confluence point of Kadana and Rama Rivers. On Panguni Uthiram day Puja is performed in grand scale for 3 days. This is one of the five important temples of Sastha along with Sabarimalai, Achankoil, Aryankavu and Kulathupuzha. Sastha is present here with all the 21 Parivara Moorthis in individual shrines. Those on Sabari pilgrimage visit this first temple to wear the mala-chain. On Aadi new moon day, devotees walk through Pookuzhi-fire pit as a prayer commitment. Bootha Natha Swamy, being called as Sangili Boothathar by locals is another main deity of the temple and he is the head of the Sastha’s Parivar. There is a tree here called “Bell eating tree” (Iluppai Tree). When devotees hang bells over this tree as prayers, these bells disappear in course of time and it is believed that these bells are slowly engulfed by the tree. To substantiate this, we can see some bells half outside and half inside the tree. There are Sangili Bhoodathar, Mottayar, Padala Kandigai, Kumbamani as guardian deities under the tree. There is also Vinayaka nearby with two elephants on both sides.

There is a separate shrine for Pattavarayan, one of the Parivara moorthies of Sastha, in a separate mandapam in the midst of rocks. People who have knee and other leg related problems hang a new chapel in front of the shrine. It is believed that as the new chappals become old and used ones, the disease of the person also reduce gradually as days pass by.

The presiding deity of the temple is Mahalinga Swamy. Muthianar with his two consorts Poorna and Pushkala is the main guard of worship, along with his lieutenants Sangili Bhootham, Thoosi Madan, Thulasi Madan, Pechi, Isakki, Pattavarayan. The term 'Pon Soriyum Muthian' means the Lord who down pours golden-rain in the plateau. Many families worship Sorimuthu Ayyanar as their family deity. People offer chappals to one deity here named Valai Pagadai, a strange custom followed here. Lord Dharma Sastha appears with his left leg bent and the right hanging down slightly siding on the left. Saptha Kannikas (seven maidens) are in his shrine. Those who are not aware of their family deity, pray here. There are Nandhi the bull, elephant and horse vahans. Lord Bhairava graces in the front mandapam with his dog vaahana before him. Villagers in the region come here in large numbers to worship Pattavarayan Sami for the welfare of their cattle.

Legend and Stories

Sorimuthu Ayyanar

A Brahmin, Muthupattar by name lived in North India. His brothers were discussing about Ramayana. During their talks, the brothers asked Muthu Pattar about the relationship of Rama with Sita. Pattar said Uncle. Beaten by the brothers for his ignorance about the epic story, he came to Pothigai hills. He lost himself to the two daughters of one Valai Pagadai belonging to the backward community. As community was a hurdle to marry them, he declared himself as a member of the community. Quite unfortunately, on the conjugal night, a cow was stolen and Muthupattar went in search of the cow and was killed in a quarrel there. His two wives also embraced death along with him. Later, a shrine was built for him - Pattavarayan - where he appears with his wives Bommakka and Thimmakka. Though a Brahmin, as advised by his father-in-law, he also learnt the cobbler art. Hence, devotees ties chappals in the shrine.

When the devotee visits the shrine next year, he will find that the chappals are worn out though not used by anybody. This seems to be miracle in the temple. As the temple is in a jungle region, there are no much human movements. Yet the chappals are found used and old. Villagers in the region come here in large numbers to worship Pattavarayan Sami for the welfare of their cattle.

According to a manual of Travancore state on Aiyappan, Muthupattar himself came out as Sorimuthu Ayyanar. The term 'Pon Soriyum Muthian' means the Lord who down pours golden-rain in the plateau. An instance of this rare phenomenon has found a place in Government Revenue Records maintained by the British Rulers.

Divine Wedding of Lord Shiva & Parvathi

During the divine wedding of Lord Shiva with Mother Parvathi, as the mount went down due to the weight of the heavy crowd gathered there, Lord Shiva sent Sage Agasthya to South to balance the ground level. Sage worshipped Lord Shiva on this hill. The Shivalinga worshipped by the sage got buried under the sand in the days that followed. Cows grazing in this region were found pouring their milk at a particular spot and this was communicated to the king. He found a Linga at the spot and built a temple. Lord Dharma Sastha too came out of this place as Sori Muthu Ayyanar.

Iluppai Tree

There is an Iluppai tree in the temple complex. The bells tied by devotees get stuck to the tree which is considered as the Lord acknowledging their prayers.

Mooladhara Sthalam

It is generally believed that Sabari Hill is the first temple for Lord Dharma Sastha. This temple on the Pothigai Hills revered as the Mooladhara is considered first by some. Lord Dharma Sastha as Aiyappan in the palace of Pandala king as his adopted Son, came to this place first as a young lad to learn martial arts, hence this is the first temple dedicated to his worship. Based on events in his life subsequently, other Aiyappan temples at Kulathupuzha, Ariangavu and Achankoil came into being according to some facts. Sabarimalai temple is the last when the Lord stayed there for his penance. Of the five famous Lord Ayyappa temples, this is considered the Mooladhara.

Pon Soriyum Muthaiyan

When Agasthiyar was penancing here, he got an unexpected bright light Dharshan and it took some time for Agasthiyar to even realize what was happening. There Sastha gave darshan with Poorna Pushkala and all his parivars. There was a Swarna abishekam on Sastha by all the devars. So the Sastha was called “Pon Soriyum Muthaiyan” (the God who induced the Swarna rain). To support this, even today golden nuggets are being found in this region.

Boothathar

Once, when the bridge connecting the temple to the main land was broken, the temple became isolated and inaccessible for people. Boothanar took control over the wife of a popular industrialist of Coimbatore and arranged to rebuild the bridge. Now, a beautiful bridge is in place.

Festivals

New moon days in Aadi (July-August) and Thai (January-February), the last Fridays in both months and Panguni Uthiram in March-April are festivals celebrated in the temple.

Pooja Timing

Every day four times pooja will be conducted.

S.No	Name	Pooja Time
1	Kalasanthi	6.00 A.M
2	Uchikalam	12.00 A.M
3	Sayarakshai Pooja	5.00 P.M
4	Ardhajama Pooja	8.00 P.M

Significance

Those, seeking child boon, relief from spells and evil effects come here. Those facing litigations and court problems place their prayers to Sorimuthu Ayyanar. People also pray to Sorimuthu Ayyanar to get more milk from their cows. People offer bronze bells to Boothathar in the temple. Devotees pray for family welfare and health. Devotees offer vastras and sweet pudding (Sarkarai Pongal) to Lord on realizing their wishes.

How To Reach Sri Sorimuthu Aiyanar Temple, Karayar

Air

The nearest airport is located at Madurai, Thoothukudi and Thiruvananthapuram Airport.

Rail

The nearest railway station is located at Ambasamudram Railway Station.

Road

The Temple is located at about 12 Kms from Papanasam, 23 Kms from Ambasamudram, 45 Kms from Tenkasi, 68 Kms from Thirunelveli, 225 Kms from Madurai, 115 Kms from Thoothukudi and 154 Kms from Thiruvananthapuram. Buses will be available from Papanasam only during festival days.

Temple Address

Sri Sorimuthu Aiyanar Temple,
Sorimuthayyanar koil Rd, Singampatti Zamindar Forest,
Karayar, Papanasam, Tirunelveli district,
Tamil Nadu,Pincode - 627551.