Manaendiappar, Kallidaikurichi

Saivite Temples, Tirunelveli District

God

Manendiappar, facing east

Goddess

Vadivambikai, facing south

Other Deities

Bala Vinayaka, Bala Murugan, Vinayaka, Muruga with consorts, Bhairava, Natarajar, Sivakami, Naalvar, 63 Nayanmar, Dakshinamurthy, Naagar, Saneeswarar, Chandikeswarar, Surya, Chandran, Navagraha, Adhikara Nandi, Krishna

Manaendiappar Kallidaikurichi is a large east-facing temple with 2 Prakarams enclosed by a solid tall wall as most of the temples in Tirunelveli District. The Sanctum Sanctorum is a complete stone construction. The main deity is a large Lingam. The Bala Ganapathi here is seen with his two full tusks, unlike the normal with one broken tusk, and has Five fruits in his hands and trunk – Banana, Mango, Sugar Cane, Jackfruit, and Vlampazham (Wood Apple). An entrance Mantapam with a very small 3 tiered Gopuram leads into the temple. A covered corridor with the Balipeedam, Flagstaff, and Nandi leads into a Maha Mandapam, Ardha Mantapam, and the sanctum Sanctorum of both main deity and goddess. The inner Prakaram is covered. The outer Prakaram has long corridor Mantapas on both sides. A small temple chariot is stationed outside on the passage leading to the entrance and a slightly bigger one with carvings outside. The Tamiraparani river flows south of Manaendiappar Kallidaikurichi. The Vinayaka shrine at the entrance of the inner Prakaram has 3 mounts in front namely, Mouse, Elephant, and Nandi. There are two Krishna idols here.

Holy Water (Theertham) – Kanva Theertham

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – Nagavalli (Cannonball Tree – Couroupita guianensis)

History

Manaendiappar Kallidaikurichi is an ancient temple. There are stone inscriptions on the front wall of the Main Sanctum. This inscription belongs to the 16th Century CE and mentions tax rules and details to be collected from this village which in those days was prosperous due to the weaving industry. One such tax refers to the welfare activities of Madurai Veerappa Naicker’s minister Nallaperumal Pillai by Mudali Nayinar and Kallidaikurichi Nattar wherein 10 Panams and 1/2 Panams respectively are to be collected for expenses on the first of the month and labor.

Legend

Manaendiappar Kallidaikurichi is believed to be the place where the Stag (Maan in Tamil) in the hand of Lord Shiva first originated. To placate the ego of the sages of Dharuga forest who considered themselves superior in penance and their wives very intelligent Lord Shiva took the form of Pitchadanar (Attractive manly form) and Lord Vishnu as Mohini (attractive feminine form) and came into the forests. Seeing their erotic attraction the sages and their wives forgot themselves and went behind. Suddenly both the forms faded away and the followers were left embarrassed and ashamed. In a fit of anger, the Sages conducted Yagas and sent wild animals to seek revenge on Shiva and Vishnu. All of them were killed and finally, the wild Stag sent by the Sages is said to have been made to dance upon his fingers by Lord Shiva.

Directions

Manaendiappar Kallidaikurichi is 35 kilometers west of Tirunelveli. Manaendiappar Kallidaikurichi is at the northeastern outer side of town just after the Murugan Temple and Tamiraparani River.

Stay and Food

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

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