Shivalaya Ottam

Shivalaya ottam represents the oneness of Vaishnavism and Shaivism.

When people around the globe, keep wake at night to pray to Lord Shiva during Shivarathri… In Kanyakumari Shiva devotees literally, run around 12 shiva temples that enshrine Mukannan.

Long back Kanyakumari belonged to the Thiruvidangur, kochi district.  In the ancient days, Thovalai and Agathisvaram taluks were called Nanjil naadu; Kalkulam and Vilavankodu taluks were called Vaenaadu. Kalkulam is now known as Padmanabapuram was its capital. Shivalaya ootam is observed in Velavamnkodu and Kalkulam taluk marking the unity and oneness of Lord Shiva and Vishnu.

History

The legend behind this Shivalaya ootam is quite interesting. It is also called Chaliya ottam. As per the puranas, Prince Bhima of the Pandavas was asked to go fetch milk from the Purushamirgham, which tends to get very ferocious of hearing Vishnu namah or his devotees. However, the purushamirgam is a staunch devotee of Lord Shiva. Hence, Lord Krishna advises Bhima to drop a rudraksha bead whenever the purushamirgham comes to attack him. So the purushamirgham will sit down and start to meditation on Lord Shiva. This way Bhima had thrown down 12 beads until he had extracted the required milk from it by singing Govinda Gopala.

The Ottam

The Shivalaya Ottam covers twelve temples covering about 50 miles in a day (24 hrs). They complete the run at Nattalam SankaraNarayana temple. It is believed that Lord Shiva and Vishnu appear together to bless their devotees here.

Devotees before starting their run fast about a week’s time. They consume tender coconuts and ice apples during the day time and water, tulsi at night. The start their pilgrimage with a bare upper body and carry only a palm leaf- hand fan. Some recite the namah of ‘Govinda Gopala’

Twelve Shivalaya Ottam temples

Munychirai – Thirumalai

Thikkurichchi

Thirparappu

Thirunandhikkarai

Ponmanai

Pannip Pagam

Kalkulam

Melankodu

Thiruvidaikkodu

Thiruvidhankodu

Thiruppanrikkodu

Thirunattalam

In all the above temples except Thirunattalam Vibuthi(holy ash) is distributed as Prasad, whereas in Thirunattalam sandalwood paste is the prasad.

The pilgrimage or Ottam ends at Thirunattalam as Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva together bless their devotees. The Shivalaya Ottam is observed to mark the unity of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. To make devotes realise they are one and the same.