Sri Sivasailanathar and Sri Paramakalyani Ambal Temple / Sivasailam Temple

Overview

Sivasailanathar Paramakalyani Amman Kovil, prominently known as Sivasailam Temple, is a Hindu temple in Sivasailam town of Tamil Nadu, India. It is found 3 miles from Alwarkurichi in Tirunelveli District. Sivasailam is encompassed by Velli Malai (Siver Hill), Western Ghats and Mulli Malai, and is situated adjacent to the Gadananathi River.

About The Temple

It is an old Siva temple of vast size, very much designed and containing engravings. The Vimana is fabulously overlaid. The principle gopuram has five stories and is embellished with numerous statues. In the South course of the temple, there is an east-bound statue of Vinayagar. In the North heading, a statue of the Tamil God Murugan is set. In the South bearing, 63 Nayanmars statue and Suriyan and Chandran statues are found and a statue of Dakshinamurthy confronting south is installed.

The statue of Paramakalyani Amman (Mother Paramakalyani) with emerald green cheeks blesses the Devotees. In the south of Mani mandapam, a statue of Nadaraja Perumal is set.

The temple has various mandapam (custom structures) for Nartha, Maa, Aartha and Mani. A manimandapam (commemoration) is situated on the bank of the waterway Gadananathi. In the mainstays of the mandapam, a lion peak or model is seen. On the inward side of the pandal mandapam colorful blossoms are delineated. The temple has two wooden chariots, one is extensive and the other is little. The expansive chariot is for Sivasailanathar and the smaller is for his spouse, Amman.

The representation of Nandi in the temple is especially noted. Nandikeshvarar statue resembles a bull sitting upon its collapsed tail. This statue shows the uncommon character of Tamil and the imaginative work of the craftsman.

Stone Inscriptions

Stone Inscription no.519 of Sivasailam Temple was found in Poovankurichi lake in 1916. The Stone Inscription tells that Jamindars of Ambur, Alwarkurichi, Kadayam, Krishnapuram, Poovankurichi collected tax from people for god. In the year 1916 another Stone Inscription was found in Kizha Ambur. It is Stone Inscription no.518 and tells about King Ravivarman.

About The Deity

Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati are worshipped as Sivasilanathar and Paramkalyani Amman. The statue of Suyambuligam (Shivan) is said to have been formed naturally. At the back of the statue, there are lines that appear like hair, so he is also called Sadaiappar. The distance between the statues of Sivasailanathar (Shiva) and his consort Paramakalyani Amman Sannithi (Parvathi) is nearly 15 feet.

Legend and Stories

It is informed that a proprietor had many dairy animals in his home. Ordinarily, he made his workers milk the cows, however one day every one of the cows declined to give milk. The workers whined about this driving the proprietor to get irate and he pursued every one of his dairy animals and workers from his home. Every one of the dairy animals assembled on a slope with a stone upon it and overflowed their milk upon the stone. On the place of this abishekam of milk a shivalingam showed up. He is known as Sivasailanathar. Sivasailanathar is the primary God for the temple.

As per another legend, once a pandya ruler went to the temple and got prasadam from the minister. The cleric gave him a wreath in which there was a hair. The lord got furious with the cleric. Notwithstanding, as the cleric was immaculate and really given to Sivasailanathar, Sivasailanathar thought to spare the minister and he sent a dream to the lord to not get irate with the cleric and gave him a dream of shivalingam. The lord turned out to be extremely cheerful.

Festivals

The prominent festivals celebrated here are Poosam Theppotsavam and Rathotsavam.

How to Reach Sivasailam Temple

Nearest airport is Tuticorin Airport. Nearest Railway Station is Alwarkurichi (3.5km) from Sivasailam. Closest roadways are from Tenkasi and Tirunelveli.

Temple Address

Sri Sivasailanathar and Sri Paramakalyani Ambal Temple,
Sivasailam, Tirunelveli District, Tamil Nadu,
India, Pincode – 627412.