Parthasarathi, facing west
Parthasarathi, facing west
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Garuda, Naagar, Varaha Perumal, Vadakkathu Perumal, Karakandeswarar, Mahadeva, Sri Krishna, Sastha
Parthasarathi Parthivapuram is a beautiful, large, west-facing temple constructed in typical Kerala-style architecture. The entrance is through a gateway in the west. A large outer Prakaram with a beautifully carved Balipeedam is in front of the entrance to the inner Prakaram. A Naagar installation under a tree is followed by a small east-facing shrine for Varaha Perumal and a west-facing shrine for Vadakkathu Perumal. The outer Prakaram is paved and has large trees in the borders. On the southeast side is a beautiful shrine for Lord Shiva as Karakandeswarar. This is at an elevation and steps lead up to the sanctum. Further, on the southwest side is another shrine for Lord Shiva as Mahadeva and a beautiful shrine for Lord Krishna. Since this shrine is not in good condition the deity is kept outside temporarily. Just after the Balipeedam is a tile-roofed entrance mandapam. The inner Prakaram is entered through a door and there is a cloistered platform typical of Kerala temple on both inner sides of the entrance. The lord faces west and is a beautiful 4 feet tall idol in a standing posture. The sanctum sanctorum is a large one and the Tritala Vimaanam is a beautiful structure. It has a square plan from the Adhishthana (platform) to the Sikhara (top crown) with a metallic Kalash. The Vimaanam is a combination of bricks and stone. All its talas (levels, tiers) are of bricks. The second tier has four deities on different sides – Brahma on the north, Indra on the east, Dakshinamurti on the south, and Narasimha on the west. The sanctum walls are built of laterite blocks.
Holy Water (Theertham) – No information
Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – No information
Parthasarathi Parthivapuram was constructed by King Karunandadakkan of the Ay dynasty and completed on the fifteenth day of his ninth regnal year corresponding to June 22 of 857 CE. According to the inscriptions found here at Parthasarathi Parthivapuram, the king purchased the required land over time from the Ulakkudivilai village sabha of Munchirai and provided them an alternate plot in lieu. At the time of the consecration of the Parthasarathi Parthivapuram temple, he renamed the village around the temple as Parthivasekharapuram (now Parthivapuram). This information is available from the Huzur Plates of Kollam also called the Palayam Sasanam. These plates provide a detailed description of the history, motivation, construction, and scope of the Parthasarathi Parthivapuram temple.
Only 5 of the Huzur Copper plates survive today. The first three plates also mention the purchase of land in a similar way as that of the temple’s, for the creation of a school, maintenance of a perpetual lamp, creation of a garden, employment of a gardener, temple musicians, assignment of servants for temple maintenance, provision of resources for Panguni Festival and chariot procession. The fourth plate records a call to the local communities to support the temple, school, and its students. It is mentioned that temples dedicated to the worship of deities should serve many more social purposes, such as including and managing schools. The fourth and fifth plates provide the focus of studies and constitution of the school detailing that it will host 45 students for higher studies in different branches including Vedic, Language, Future studies. They mention that the hostel and school expenses will be paid in part from the taxes collected from the villages of Omayanadu, Singulunadu, Mudalanadu, Padaippanadu, and Valluvanad. Several rules and guidelines relating to visitors, non-interference of staff and students in the operations of the temple and school, code of conduct for teachers and staff, rules for selection and admission of students, code of conduct for students, rules of evaluation, and examinations.
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Parthasarathi Parthivapuram is about 10 kilometers southwest of Marthandam via Munchirai. Parthasarathi Parthivapuram is 32 kilometers northwest of Nagercoil via Eraniel and Pudukkadai.
None locally except tea shops. The closest place for food and stay is Nagercoil.