Kailasanadar Srivaikuntam

Kailasanadar Srivaikuntam is a large east-facing temple with 2 Prakarams. The entrance from the south has a mandapam at the gate followed by a courtyard. Next is a huge flat-top gopuram with many beautiful carvings on it. This is followed by another mandapam in the outer Prakaram with excellent Yaali pillars. The Nandi in this Mandapam is a very beautiful one. This mandapam leads into the inner Prakaram. The outer prakaram has cloistered mandapams on three sides. The carvings on the pillars include Veerabadhra, Sage Romasa, Agnibadra, ornamental motifs, and other features all of which are wonderful examples of such work. The Nataraja here is called Santhana Sabapathi as he is anointed with Sandal paste. The shrine for the temple’s guardian deity Bhoodhanadar houses a large wooden idol and is considered an important aspect here at Kailasanadar Srivaikuntam. The flagstaff here at Kailasanadar Srivaikuntam is said to have been brought from the Baghavathi Temple at Kanyakumari. There is a separate shrine for Saneeswara here. This is one of the Navakailaya Sthalams on the banks of the Tamiraparani River. Kailasanadar Srivaikuntam is the sixth of the Nava (9) Kailasha Temples where Lord Shiva represents one each of the Nine Planets. Here he represents Sani – Saturn. The others are in Papanasam (Sun), Cheranmahadevi (Chandran – Moon), Kodaganallur (Mars), Kunnathur (Raaghu – shadow planet, North Lunar node of the moon) in Tirunelveli District and, Muruppanadu (Guru – Jupiter), Thenthiruperai (Budhan – Mercury), Rajapathi (Ketu – shadow planet, South Lunar node of the moon) and Sernthapoomangalam (Sukran – Venus) in Thoothukudi District. The presence of this Nava Kailasa Sthalam and one of the Nava Tirupati of Lord Mahavishnu nearby is considered very special at Srivaikuntam.