Shankararameswarar Thoothukudi

Shankararameswarar, Thoothukudi

Saivite Temples - Thoothukudi

God

Shankararameswarar, facing east

Goddess

Baagampiriyaal, facing south

Other Deities

Vinayaka and Muruga at the entrance. Outer Prakaram – Kanni Vinayaka, Naagar, Muruga with consorts, Ayyappa, Vilveswarar. Inner Prakaram – Adhikara Nandi, Suryan, Sage Agastya, Naalvar, Santhana Kuravargal Naalvar, Juradevar, Gandhimathiamman, 63 Nayanmar, Kanni Vinayaka, Pancha Lingams, Muruga with consorts, Saraswathi, Mahalakshmi, Saneeswara, Nataraja, Bhairava, Navagraha, Chandran. Sanctum niches – Dakshinamurthy, Lingotbavar, Durga, Chandikeswara

Shankararameswarar Thoothukudi is a large east-facing temple with a 5 tiered Rajagopuram in the east entrance. The temple has 2 Prakarams and also has a separate Perumal temple on one side. A temple tank is present a little away on the northeast side of the temple.

Holy Water (Theertham) – No information

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – Vilwam (Aegle marmelos)

History

Shankararameswarar Thoothukudi is said to be an old temple going back to the later Pandyas who ruled these parts. Historical information is not available as of now.

Legend

Shankararameswarar Thoothukudi is believed to have been built by a Pandya King called Shankara Rama Pandyan who ruled from Kayathar. He had no progeny and prayed to the Lord. He was told to go to Rameswaram and on the way recover a Lingam worshiped by Sage Kashyapa in a location that will be identified by a circling Garuda (Brahminy Kite). He did so and recovered the Lingam and built a temple. He named his son Shankara Rameswaran after the name of the lord here at Shankararameswarar Thoothukudi.

Anjaneya is believed to have taken off to Sri Lanka as a messenger (Dhoota) from here and hence the name of the place was Dhoot Kudi which later became Thoothukudi. This is where Lord Shiva is believed to have preached the Pranava Mantra to Goddess Parvati. As the sound of the ocean and wind was disturbing them he made the ocean waves and the wind stop. People consider that the lack of waves and strong wind here is because of this. Goddess Parvati is believed to have rested here on her way to see her son Muruga in Tiruchendur. Even today the pilgrims who walk all the way from other places to Tiruchendur through Thoothukudi pass through this temple. The pathway for them is nicely done through the town and well maintained in various places.

Directions

Shankararameswarar Thoothukudi is in the center of town and not very difficult to locate. The surrounding areas are is a one-way traffic road and you may have to work out accordingly. Parking is difficult.

Stay and Food

Thoothukudi being a major town has many hotels and restaurants. It is well connected by rail, road, and air.

Saivite Temples

Tamilnadu Temples