Kasipanathar Ambasamudram

Saivite Temples, Tirunelveli District

God

Kasipanathar, facing east

Goddess

Visalakshi, facing south

Other Deities

Outer Prakaram – Kasi Viswanathar, Visalakshi, Annamalaiyar, Chokkanadar, Meenakshi, Raghu, Ketu, Selva Vinayaka, Naaga Raja, Naaga Rani, Maha Vishnu. Inner Prakaram – Naalvar, Surya, 63 Nayanmar, Dakshinamurthy, Veerabadhra, Saptha Maadhar, Vinayaka, Siva Lingam, Agneethya, Uma Maheswarar, Muruga with consorts, Perumal, Chandikeswara, Erithatkondar, Kalabhairava, Nataraja, Chandran, Adhikara Nandi, Navagraha.

Kasipanathar Ambasamudram is a large temple with 3 Prakarams. The first one runs around the compound wall. The second one is inside the wall and then follows the inner Prakaram where most of the shrines and Sanctum Sanctorum are present. A large Maha Mantapam with massive pillars and beautiful carvings and a large Ardha Mantapa is followed by the east-facing Sanctum Sanctorum and the south-facing shrine of the goddess. The entire inner Prakaram is covered all around as is the case in most of the temples in Tirunelveli District. Punugu Sabapathy idol, Arumuga with consorts on his peacock mount, and several massive pillars with exquisite sculptures carved out of single stones are important features here at Kasipanathar Ambasamudram. The compound walls are huge as also the case in most temples of the district. The temple is surrounded by beautiful fields on three sides and the Tamiraparani river flows in the south. A large number of people come here to enjoy the river at the weekends. A massive 5 tiered Rajagopuram is under construction. The massive doors of the Gopuram are carved with scenes from Lord Shiva’s Thiruvilayadal Epic. The temple is called Thirupotheeswaram and Eruthaludayar Temple. Kasipanathar Ambasamudram is considered an Abhimaana Sthalam, respected and revered by all.

Holy Water (Theertham) – 7 Theerthams – Devi Theertham, Salaa Theertham, Deepa Theertham, Kasipa Theertham, Kirumigara Theertham, Kokila Theertham, Rudra Theertham

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – Nelli (Indian Gooseberry – Phyllanthus emblica)

History

Kasipanathar Ambasamudram has several ancient inscriptions on the south and north walls of the Sanctum Sanctorum. These provide information on the different names of the Lord and various donations. The name of the place is mentioned as ‘Mulli Naattu Rajaraja Chaturvedi Mangalathu Ilangokudi’ and the Lord as Thirupothudaya Nayinar, Thirupothudaya Devar, Thirupothudaya Azhwar, Thirupothudaya Mahadevar, and Thirupothudaya Pattaragar. Pothu means the Bull mount of Lord Shiva in Tamil.

Legend

Sage Kasipa is belived to have worshiped the lord here at Kasipanathar Ambasamudram. Sage Agastya is also said to have worshiped the lord here. A medicant who deposited a large some of money for having cured a King of ailment with the priest here at Kasipanathar Ambasamudram was cheated by him. The priest who also swore to god wrongly was tied to the Tamarind tree here and burnt (Eri) by the Lord himself. Hence the lord id said to also be called as Erichaludayar. A separate lingam facing west is installed here and called Erithatkondaar. This lingam is considered a Swayambu (self occuring) that is believed to have come out of the sacrificial fire of Sage Kasipa.

Directions

Kasipanathar Ambasamudram is in the eastern aprt of Ambasamudram town and the Gopuram under construction is visible from all around. There are two concrete roads leading to the temple, one from the Tamiraparani Bridge as you come from Tirunelveli and one from inside the town where Hotel Gowri Shankar is located. Ambasamudram is about 40 kilometers west of Tirunelveli.

Stay and Food

There are many restaurants and a few hotels to stay in Ambasamudram. The food at Gowri Shankar is decent and so are the rooms.

Saivite Temples

Kasipanathar, Ambasamudram