Kailasanathar Temple

Overview

Ambasamudram is a small but picturesque town located in the Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu. The Tamirabarani River runs by its side and it is situated on the foothills of the Western Ghats. Its sister town, Kallidaikurichi, is on the opposite bank of the Thamirabarani River. Thus, the town is sprawling with natural beauty and greenery. Ambasamudram is also known by the name of Vilankurichi. It was the seat of the saint Agastiyar who contributed immensely to the Tamil language several thousand years ago. The word Ambasamudram is derived from the two words Amba and Samundar. The place was christened with this name as the place flourished with temples and water bodies.

About The Temple

Sri Kasinathaswami temple is a God Shiva Temple located at Ambasamudram, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu. The temple is on the northern bank of River Tambiraparani. As indicated by Agama order, six time puja is followed in the temple. From different shrine Goddess Maragathambikai graces the temple. Even after blazing the priest for his double dealing, God Shiva's anger did not get vanquished but kept on being incensed. Goddess Parvathi asked for God Vishnu to chill him off and restore him to kindness as soon as possible. God Vishnu brought Shiva to commonality. Opposite to God Shiva's shrine God Perumal graces in the temple.God Nataraja, another form of shiva in the temple is lauded as Punugu Sabapathi. Pujas are performed to him just on a Thaipoosam day corresponding with Thursday.Different Shrines are dedicated for God Kasi Viswanathar,God Annamalayar, God Arumuganayinar (Muruga), God Meenakshi Chokkar,Juradeva, 63 Nayanmars,God Sani (Saturn) and God Sastha with Goddess Pooranai and Goddess Pushkalai.Aipasi annabishekam is done in the temple on every month on the full moon day customarily followed in other Shiva sanctuaries.It is accepted that Tambirabarani river is an combination of Seven Theerthas Devi, Shala, Kasipa, Kirumikara, Deepa Kokila and so on.God Shiva is said to visit the waterway on Thaipoosam, Thai month new moon day and Chithirai month first day. The wedding celebration happens on Uthiram star day in Aipasi(October to November). God comes in parade draped in Red on the 7th day of Panguni celebration. On the 8th day he arrives in white cloth. On that day sage Agasthya gets his darshan in green. This is an extremely popular celebration in the temple. God Anugnai Vinayaka graces the temple.

Legend and Stories

Once the king of Kerala fell sick and even the best doctors of that era were not able to offer a cure. A heavenly voice told the ruler to make a doll of dark dhil (Ellu), pass on the illness to the doll and give it to a Brahmin. He duly followed the orders. A poor Karnataka Brahmin youth took the doll gift. The lord additionally gave him profitable jewels and precious stones. The doll got to be alive and told the young that it would leave him on the off if he gives half portion of the advantage of the Gayathi mantra that he was chanting so far. The adolescent agreed and liberated himself from the illness that he obtained from the ruler through the doll. The youth desired to spend the material gifts he got from the ruler for a noble reason. He continued to Pothigai slopes to look for the advice of Sage Agasthya. Before leaving, he left his belongings with the Archaka of the temple to get it back after his arrival. The priest gave the young a pack full of pulses instead of his valuable things when he returned.

The young took the case to the king. The priest clearly told the king that he didn't get pearls but just pulses. At the point when he was requested swear before the God, the priest without any shame told lie in the temple. God Shiva became furious and summoned the priest by burning him into ashes. The adolescent asked the God to pardon him and restore the priest's life again and the God was very kind and completed the youth's request. Taking into account this event, God Shiva is named Erithatkondar and Erichudayar. Erithal is a tamil words which carries the meaning as blazing. The main puja is devoted to God Erithatkondar in the sanctuary. The young spent the riches he got from the ruler by digging a canal which is known as Kannadian (local of Karnataka) channel.Sage Kashyapa performed a yajna devoted to God Shiva to get the Darshan of God. The sage pleaded a Linga for his puja. God Shiva fulfilled his wish and granted him the darshan. The sage set up the Linga and is named as Kashyapa Linga and later changed as Kasipa Linga.

Significance

People seeking for child boon offer bangles in the altar and hang small baby bed. It is said that Goddess's mercy and love is equal to sea, thus naming this spot Amba Samudram (ocean).

Festivals

Two Brahmmotsavams, one in Aipasi (October-November) and the other in Panguni (March-April), Shivrathri in February-March and Tirukarthikai in November-December are the festivals celebrated in the temple.

Prasad and Offering

People pray for relief from material desires and to develop in themselves a mentality to serve people.

Thanks giving

Devotees perform special abishek to Lord and Mother and offer silk Praivattam to Swami (turban) and silk sari to Ambal.

Near By Temple

Agastheeswarar Temple
Tennazhagar Temple
Krishnaswami Temple
Neelamaninathaswami Temple
Adhi Varaha Perumal Temple
Thothadri Nathan Temple

Accessibility

Airport

The nearest air terminal is at Madurai.

Railways

The Nearest rail head is at Tirunelveli.

Road

Ambasamudram is 40 km from Tirunelveli. The temple is just 1 km from the bus stop. Auto facility is available.

Temple Address

The Executive Officer, Sri Kasinathaswami Temple,
Ambasamudram-627 401,
Tirunelveli district.