Ganapatheeswarar Kayalpattinam

God

Ganapatheeswarar, facing east

Goddess

Amman, facing south

Other Deities

Vinayaka, Muruga with consorts, Somanatheeswarar, Sankaralingeswarar. Sanctum niches – Dakshinamurthy, Chandikeswara

Ganapatheeswarar Kayalpattinam is a small east-facing temple with an entrance gateway from the east. The temple also has shrines for Somanatheeswarar and Sankaralingeswarar. A single Prakaram overgrown with weeds houses the sanctum sanctorum and the shrines.

Holy Water (Theertham) – No information

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – No information

History

Ganapatheeswarar Kayalpattinam is an ancient temple that has been neglected for a long time. Historical information is not available as of now. Kayalpattinam is known for its many mosques, some of which are very old. Kayalpattinam (old name Korkai, Kayal) was a famous port dating back to the first century CE, finding mention in ancient scriptures including that of Marco Polo.

Legend

No information

Directions

Ganapatheeswarar Kayalpattinam is about 9 kilometers north of Tiruchendur. Take the Thoothukudi road and continue straight without turning left to Arumuganeri to reach Ganapatheeswarar Kayalpattinam. There is another Shiva temple and a Perumal temple also at Kayalpattinam.

Stay and Food

None locally. The closest is Tiruchendur where there are many hotels, lodges, and restaurants for a comfortable stay and good food. Tiruchendur is about 40 kilometers south of Thoothukudi and 55 kilometers southeast of Tirunelveli. It is a well-connected coastal town.