Kalahastheeswarar Karisoozhndha Mangalam

Saivite Temples, Tirunelveli District

God

Kalahastheeswarar, facing east

Goddess

Gnanambika, facing south

Other Deities

Vinayaka, Naagar

Kalahastheeswarar Karisoozhndha Mangalam is a small east-facing temple located in a lonely and peaceful spot right next to the Tamiraparani River. A single Prakaram houses the sanctum sanctorum and shrines. The entrance is from the North through a small gate. The Lingam has a Raghu engraved in it and hence the place is considered as a Raghu, Kethu Temple.

Holy Water (Theertham) – Durvasa Theertham

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – No information

History

Kalahastheeswarar Karisoozhndha Mangalam is an old temple but historic information is not available as of now.

Legend

Kalahastheeswarar Karisoozhndha Mangalam is a temple where Sage Durvasa who was cursed to lose his Vedic Knowledge spent some time bathing in the Tamiraparani River and installed the Lingam to worship. As Sage Durvasa was reciting Vedas in the court of Lord Brahma, Goddess Saraswathi snickered when he made a mistake in the recital. The sage cursed her to live on Earth for 64 years to learn back the 64 Arts. Enraged at the Sage, Brahma in turn cursed him to lose his Vedic knowledge. When he regretted his action he was asked to go to earth to regain his lost knowledge of the Vedas. He was told to bathe in sacred rivers like the Ganga and Yamuna, then reach Kalahasti where the River Swarnamukhi flows and worship Lord Shiva. He was instructed that the flowers used for the Pooja at Kalahasti will fall at a place on the banks of Tamiraparani and he should install a Lingam from Kalahasti and worship that too to regain his knowledge. Hence the Lord here is called Kalahastheeswarar.

Directions

Kalahastheeswarar Karisoozhndha Mangalam is 3.5 kilometers northeast of Pattamadai and can be reached via Karisoozhntha Mangalam. A small fork before the temple will take you to Chakrathazhwar Temple which is also beautifully situated on the banks of Tamiraparani.

Stay and Food

None locally. Closest is Tirunelveli or Ambasamudram depending on your travel plan.

Saivite Temples

Kalahastheeswarar, Karisoozhndha Mangalam