Bhoothalingaswamy Bhoothappandi

Bhoothalingaswamy, Bhoothappandi

Saivite Temples, Kanyakumari District

God

Bhoothalingaswamy, facing east

Goddess

Sivakami, facing east

Other Deities

Ganesha, Naagar, Kannivinayaka, Sastha, Somaskandar, Dakshinamurthy, Muruga with consorts, Nataraja, Magizhamara Sastha, Shiva Lingams

Bhoothalingaswamy Bhoothappandi is a large east facing temple where the Shiva Lingam is carved out of the base of a cave in the hillock. The entire hillock is enclosed by the large outer Prakaram and forms a nice Girivala Path around the hill. There are entrances in the south, west and 2 in the east facing the main sanctums of the main deities. In the northern side is a large and well maintained temple tank which can be reached from outside also. As the main deity is inside the cave there is no Vimaanam. There are two very large and beautiful Dwarapalakas on the sides of the entrance to the Sanctum Sanctorum. The Sanctum Sanctorum is about 1.7 x 1.4 meters in size. The Shiva Lingam is on a square Aavudayar (base). Goddess Sivakami is in a separate sanctum with a Vimaanam. The inner Prakaram encloses all the shrines and the Sanctum Sanctorum. The Mantapam before the sanctum and that of the goddess, Vasanta Mantapam and Chettiar Mantapam, are wonderful examples of sculptural achievements with many images, Yaalis and ornamental design carved on the immaculate pillars. Of particular mention are Rathi, Manmatha, Vaali, Rama and others. The Pazhayar River runs in the east and in front of the temple.

Holy Water – Temple Pond

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – No information

History

Bhoothalingaswamy Bhoothappandi, cave temple is said to have been excavated by King Pasum Pon Pandyan, the son of Boothapandiyan, believed to be one of the earlier Pandyas. The Inscriptions that are seen here belong to a much later date starting from around 1578 CE. The department of Archaeology has recorded and published 11 inscriptions from this temple. There are nine inscriptions around the goddess shrine. The inscription of 1578 CE records the gift of 25 Brass lamps and land endowments for its maintenance by one Ayyappan Pariyerum Perumal of Boothapandi village. Inscription dated 1581 CE records the assurance made by Sri Karyam staff to offer one measure of ghee and ten bananas, arrange for the celestial dance of prime deity during pooja rituals every month on a particular day. Inscription dated 1583 CE records the deposit of two hundred ‘panam’ made for pooja rituals of Lord Dakshinamurti by Pasumpirathu Gangaiyadi Bhattar of Azhagan Azhaga Chaturvedimangalam of Padmanabhanallur Another inscription dated 1607 CE records the deposit of three hundred ‘Panam’ for purposes of early morning rituals, ablution and offerings to the main deity in the name of one Sooranai Vendra Adittan of Padmanabhanallur (Murungur) of Nanjil Nadu. Inscription dated 1581 CE records land endowment for pooja rituals and offerings to the main deity by one Eswaran Kesavan of Makizhanjeru house in Kadaikkasu Desam. This Inscription also mentions places like Azhagiya Pandiyapuram, Kadukkarai, Pallacha Peru and Veeraneri Kulam. Inscription dated 1618 CE records the deposit / gift of nine hundred ‘panam’ for purposes of procession of main deity and goddess on ‘Bharani’ star day in Tamil month ‘Chithirai’ by Settu Silaiyan Ariyakutti, a resident of Tiruvidangur Ravi-varmar (aka. Kulasekara Perumal) street. Specific expenses include feeding the brahmins, Maheswara pooja rituals, rice flakes, Nambimar Adangal, Sala Sambavinai, Namimar Tantra Salavu, evening ablution, camphor etc. An Inscription dated 1658 CE records the royal order in consideration of plea of peasants issued by Elder Thambiran Eraivai Ravivarma, during his stay in the palace of Boothapandi after pooja rituals of the temple. An incomplete inscription dated 1614 CE records the deposit of seven hundred ‘Panam’ for purposes of pooja rituals and offerings for processional deity, Lord Chandrasekarar, by one Velayudha Perumal of Mulainallur in Nanjil Nadu.

Legend

A cow shedding milk inside the cave was seen as giving milk to a devil (Bootham) by its master. On investigation it was seen shedding milk on a Shiva Lingam inside the cave. The king who was informed about this built the temple of Bhoothalingaswamy Bhoothappandi.

Directions

Bhoothalingaswamy Bhoothappandi is about 11 kilometers north of Nagercoil. Local Autoricksha’s will drop you from the bus stop on the main road which is about a kilometer away.

Stay and Food

None locally. Closest place for food and stay is Nagercoil.

Saivite Temples - Kanyakumari District

Tamilnadu Temples