Kailasanadar Kodaganallur

Saivite Temples, Tirunelveli District

God

Kailasanadar, facing east

Goddess

Sivakami, facing south

Other Deities

Ganesha, Muruga with consorts, Ananda Gowri Amman

Kailasanadar Kodaganallur is the Third of the Nava (9) Kailasha Temples where Lord Shiva represents one each of the Nine Planets. Here he represents Chevvai – Mars. The others are in Papanasam (Sun), Cheranmahadevi (Chandran – Moon), Kunnathur (Raaghu – shadow planet, North Lunar node of the moon) in Tirunelveli District and Murappanadu (Guru – Jupiter), Srivaikuntam ( Sani – Saturn), Thenthiruperai (Budhan – Mercury), Rajapathi (Ketu – shadow planet, South Lunar node of the moon) and Sernthapoomangalam (Sukran – Venus) in Thoothukudi District. This is the smallest of the Nava Kailasha temples but the Lingam is the largest amongst all of them. The carvings on the sanctum sanctorum are very beautiful. There are no Gopurams or flagstaff here. This is said to have been a large temple that has lost most of the parts over time. What exists today is only the sanctum sanctorum and some unsightly new constructions.

Holy Water (Theertham) – Tamiraparani River

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

History

Kailasanadar Kodaganallur is an ancient temple. Stone inscriptions found in another nearby temple mention the name of the village as ‘Kodanur’ and ‘Kulasekhara Chaturvedimangalam’. It is also said that people well versed in the Vedas were present here in the ancient past. This is also evident from the name ‘Chaturvedimangalam’ mentioned in the inscriptions.

Legend

Kailasanadar Kodaganallur is where Lord Vishnu gave relief to the snake Karkodagan. King Parikshith’s son went to the forest and upon seeing a sage deep in penance he tried to ask questions and disturb him. Nothing moved the sage. Angered he took a dead snake lying around and put it around the Sage’s neck like a garland and went. The Sage’s son upon returning from an errand saw his father and upon inquiring understood that this deed was done by the prince. He went to the court of King Parkshit and cursed his son that he will lose his father to snake bite. King Parikshit was scared by the curse and secluded himself inside a palace built in the middle of the sea. But a fruit given to him had a worm inside and turned into the snake Karkodagan and took his life. Karkodagan regretted killing a man who was innocent, but for his son’s misdeed. While in penance towards Lord Shiva he was caught in a forest fire. King Nala, who had lost his Kingdom was around and saved Karkodagan. Karkodagan in a bid to help Nala regain his kingdom and his wife Damayanti bit him to change his identity temporarily. For these sins, Karkodagan prayed to Lord Vishnu and was provided relief from them here at Kailasanadar Kodaganallur.

Directions

Kailasanadar Kodaganallur is about 15 kilometers west of Tirunelveli on the Tenkasi Road. Taking a left from the highway at the Kodaganallur sign drive down to reach the temple.

Stay and Food

None locally except the shops and small restaurants on the Highway. Closest is Tirunelveli.

Saivite Temples

Kailasanadar, Kodaganallur