Kailasanadar, Maranthai

Saivite Temples, Tirunelveli District

God

Kailasanadar, facing east

Goddess

Avudai Amman, facing south

Other Deities

Vinayaka, Naagar, Garudan, Aadhinadha Perumal with Komalavalli and Kumudhavalli, Muruga with consorts, Saneeswara, Irattai Bhairava, Navagraha. Sanctum niches – Dakshinamurthy, Chandikeswara

Kailasanadar Maranthai is a small east-facing temple that has been renovated in recent times. The entrance is through a gateway mandapam in the east. The temple is surrounded by fields and presents a peaceful picture. The base (Aavudayar) of the Shiva Lingam here at Kailasanadar Maranthai is square-shaped. The idols of Aadhinadha Perumal and his consorts are large ones. There are two Bhairavas in the same shrine here at Kailasanadar Maranthai. There is no Rajagopuram and the temple is situated in a single clean and paved Prakaram filled with flowering plants.

Holy Water (Theertham) – Varuna Theertham

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – Vanni (Prosopis cineraria)

History

Kailasanadar Maranthai is an ancient temple as is evident from the 15 inscriptions that have been found here. From these it is learned that Kailasanadar Maranthai dates back to the Pandya period around 12th Century CE, the place used to be called Vikramapandyapuram and the lord’s name was Kailasamudaya Nayanar. Srivallabha Pandyan, Vikramapandyan, Kulasekara Pandyan, and Sundara Pandyan have contributed to the temple. The temple has been renovated in recent times.

Legend

Srivallabha Pandya marching with his army through this village wanted to perform his evening Pooja to Lord Shiva. The locals tried to create a lingam out of the river sand discovered the top portion of a Lingam. Delighted the king performed the Pooja. Sometime after this, a cow secreted milk over the lingam and when running away its hoof marks fell on the Lingam. This is visible even now. Later the King built the Kailasanadar Maranthai temple.

Directions

Kailasanadar Maranthai is about 24 kilometers north-west of Tirunelveli, off the Tenkasi Highway.

Stay and Food

None locally. The closest is Tirunelveli.

Saivite Temples
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