Thirunattalam

Sivalaya Ottam -12

Saivite Temples, Kanyakumari District

God

Mahadevar, facing east

Goddess

None

Other Deities

Naagar, Ganesha, Muruga

Thirunattalam is an east facing temple with a large temple tank in front. Sankaranarayana Perumal temple is in front to the east and the Temple tank is in between the two temples. The temple has 2 Prakarams and the Sanctum Sanctorum is circular with a conical top and tiled roof. This is the last of the Shivalaya Ottam temples and like the first one at Munchirai this temple also is important for Shiva and Vishnu worship together.

Holy Water (Theertham) – Temple Tank

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – Nagavalli (Cannonball Tree – Couroupita guianensis)

History

Thirunattalam is an ancient temple, but the historical information is not available as of now.

Legend

Thirunattalam is the twelfth temple where Bhima dropped the Rudraksha seed to slow down the creature chasing him when he was on a mission to procure its milk for a Yaga.

Directions

Thirunattalam is 4.5 kilometers in the Marthandam to Colachel road. As of now you have to get down in the main road and cut across the 4 lane highway under construction and proceed for about 300 meters to reach the Sankaranarayana Perumal temple first, behind which is Thirunattalam temple.

Stay and Food

None locally. Closest place for food is Marthandam, stay is Nagercoil.

Saivite Temples