Kariamal Azhagar Nalattinputhur

God

Kariamal Azhagar, facing east

Goddess

Sreedevi, Bhoodevi facing east

Other Deities

Anjaneya, Naagar, Narayanamurthy with Sreedevi and Bhoodevi

Kariamal Azhagar Nalattinputhur is a small east-facing temple situated in a single beautiful Prakaram. Goddesses Sreedevi and Bhoodevi are in separate shrines on either side of the sanctum sanctorum of the main deity. The main deity here is in the form of an anthill.

Holy Water (Theertham) – Neeravi Theertham

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – Peepul (Ficus relegiosa) and Neem (Azadirachta indica)

History

Kariamal Azhagar Nalattinputhur is an old temple with just the anthill originally. As per inscriptions here at Kariamal Azhagar Nalattinputhur, Maravarman Kulasekhara Pandyan I (regnal years 1268 – 1301 CE) built this temple in 1288 CE. The other structures have been built up and some renovated in recent times.

Legend

Four sheep used to regularly shed their milk on this anthill in the ancient days. Thus came about the temple here at Kariamal Azhagar Nalattinputhur. The name of the place Nalattinputhur came from the 4 four sheep (four is Naalu and Aadu is sheep in Tamil) mentioned above.

Directions

Kariamal Azhagar Nalattinputhur is 7 kilometers southwest of Kovilpatti. Kariamal Azhagar Nalattinputhur is 50 kilometers from Tirunelveli and is on the left side of the National Highway 44 before Kovilpatti.

Stay and Food

None locally. The closest are Kovilpatti and Tirunelveli.