Thiruvidaikodu

Sivalaya Ottam -9

Saivite Temples, Kanyakumari District

God

Sadaiyappar, facing east

Goddess

None

Other Deities

Ganesha, Sastha

Thiruvidaikodu is a beautiful east facing temple with a 5 tiered Rajagopuram at the north entrance. There are 2 Prakarams with a temple pond in the east. This is said to be the resting place of Idaikattu Sidhdhar and thus the name of the temple Thiruvidaikodu. The nearby hill in the east is also called Idaikdar Malai.

Holy Water (Theertham) – Idaikadar Kulam (Temple pond)

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – No information

History

Thiruvidaikodu is an ancient temple served by the Ay Kings who are also mentioned to have had this place as their ancient capital. A stone inscription found in a pillar here mentions the name of the Lord here as Sadaiyappar.

Legend

Thiruvidaikodu is the ninth 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

Nine kilometers from Nagercoil on the road to Trivandrum via Thucalay is Villikuri Junction. Take a right here and drive for about 600 meters to reach the Thiruvidaikodu temple.

Stay and Food

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

Saivite Temples