• Shiva

Shankaralingar Temple

Overview : Sri Sankaralingaswami (Sankara Narayanar ) temple ia God Vishnu temple located at Sankarankoil, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu. God Vishnu is adored as God Sri Sankaranarayana God Vinayaka graces the temple as God Anugnai Vinayaka. The temple has a 9 level Rajagopuram, towers. The ant hill sand is offered as Prasad which should be consumed alongside water for curing the diseases. People who are facing issues because of the presence of harmful insets and animals in their homes such as lizards, scorpions and snakes ,offer silver pieces embossed with the pictures of these living beings for solution.During the Chithirai (April to May) and Margazhi (December to January) months a celebration takes place wherein God Shiva grating darshan to 63 Nayanmars by seating on Nandhi, the Bull vehicle of God Shiva. Adhikara Nandhi is at the passage with his spouse Suyajadevi and the Nandhi before the sanctum is under a Rudraksha Pandal tent. God Shiva and God Vishnu graces the devotees together from the sanctum sanctorum. Amid March and September months, the beams of Sun fall on Sankaralingam for three days from 21st of the particular months. Aadi Thapasu celebration: Thapas implies for penance. Goddess Parvathi did penance in order to get the darshan of God Shiva and God Vishnu together as Sankara Narayanan. This holy celebration which goes for 12 days is called Aadi Thapasu. Goddess Parvati comes alone in the procession as this is a celebration only for Goddess Ambica. Goddess Parvathi returns back to the Thapas Mandapa on the last day of the ritual with a pack of sacred ashes(Vibhuti). God Sankaranarayana gives darshan to Goddess Ambica at night and enters the temple on the elephant vahan together.While Annabishekam is performed in Shiva temples in Aipasi month of Tamil calender October to November,this happens here on the first day of Aipasi month and also in Chithirai month that is April to May with a plea to God that the year ought to start without deficiency of food grains at the starting of the year (Chithirai is the clench hand month of Tamil year) and Aipasi happens to be the start of auspicious days.It is also a remarkable fact that Vaikunda Ekadasi in December to January is celebrated with the same devotion and happiness as in Vishnu temple for which a Sorga Vasal is built in the Temple. Ruler Vishnu gifts darshan in a bed in resting posture.There is an altar for God Vanmeeka Nathar in the Shiva prakara. God Shiva in his original form in this shrine that is in ant hill form. It is outlined as if he sitting on a serpent with serpent head above him inform of an umbrella . Vanmeekam means ant-hill. Since God Shiva is graces in as Vanmeekam, he is alluded as Vanmeekanathar. Those devotees who have adverse affect of snake planets , pray in the altar for relief by showering turmeric powder. There are five Naga icons before this altar. Devotees perform abishek to these symbols with milk. Tooth pain relief to God: As prescribed in the tradition, God Lingodhbava or God Vishnu graces on the goshta wall around the shrine. In this temple, this space is acquired by God Yoga Narasimha. Those who are suffering from tooth ache pray here with abishek for alleviation from torment. Some peculiar pujas are offered here on Purattasi Saturdays in September to October. There is a place of worship for God Sarpa Vinayaka (God Vinayaka with a Serpent close by). Those confronting unfavorable impacts serpent planet Ragu, adore here at Rahu Kalam time that is 4.30 p.m. to 6.00 p.m. on Sundays. To shield youngsters from venomous bite, devotees offer Arugampul (a mixture of grass) festoons with Milk porridge (Payasam) as nivedhana to Lord Sarpa Vinayak. As a custom, on the Skanda Sashti festival is celebrated of killing evil spirit Surapanma, God Muruga shows up with a one face just in the Subramanya structure. He graces with six faces that day in this temple. The wedding ceremony of the Goddess Deivanai takes place on next day. Serpent King Naga was a staunch Shiva devotee. Paduman, also a serpent, was a ardent Vishnu devotee. Both were much of the time debating about the greatness of their Gods. They went to Goddess Parvathi for a decision.Goddess Ambica started doing penance requesting both the Gods to allow a joint darshan to show that both are equal. Reacting to Goddess's request both allowed darshan mutually as Sankara Narayana.Shiva likewise allowed a darshan to Goddess Parvathi as Sankaralingam. In the days that took after, this Linga was secured by an ant hill and have two snakes in it.Once an devotees while abolishing the ant hill, cut the tail of one serpent which started to bleed. The occurrence was quickly imparted to the Pandya King and in turn build this temple.God Sankaranarayana shrine is in the middle of the shrine of God Shiva and Goddess Gomathi. The right half of the god belongs to God Shiva and has Agni the fire, river Ganga, The crescent moon and the turf, earring, Rudraksha mala on the chest, Mazhu,the axe weapon of God Shiva and tiger skin dress in waist. Sangan is holding the umbrella in the (Tiruvasi)the frame around the God. On the left, belonging in with God Vishnu, shows up with his pearl studded crown, a hanging ear ring(Kundalam),tulsi(globule)and Lakshmi embossed chain in the neck , a conch and the silk-yellow cloth wrapped around the waist. Paduma is holding the umbrella in this side. Tulsi water is offered as Prasad during morning pujas. Vibuti the consecrated ashes is offered during different pujas, garlands of Tulsi and blossoms are offered amid the pujas. Vilwa for Shiva and Tulsi for Vishnu are utilized as a part of puja.God Shiva is fond of Abishek while God Vishnu is fond of beautiful dressing. God Sankaranaraya always shows up in his best (Alankara)dressing. Abishek in the shrine is offered to God Chandramouleeswara the Spatika Linga-precious stone Linga. Pujas are offered to him on Shivrathri and new moon days. He gives darshan to Goddess Ambica on the 12th day of Aadi Thapasu celebration day. Goddess Gomathi got her name from Go means cow and Mathi Moon in Sanskrit. Apsaras from the heaven come down to earth with Goddess Ambica as cow to help her penance. With a face as radiant as the Moon and being owner of the cows, Goddess Ambica is called Gomathi. She is additionally applauded as Goddess Aavudayambikai being the Tamil form of Gomathi. Goddess is dressed with blooms on Mondays and gorgeous skirt on Fridays. Those facing issues in wedding endeavors and worry about kids' welfare appeal to Goddess Gomathi by lighting the lamps made of rice flour blended with ghee. Sri Chakra, embodying the heavenliness and force of Shakti is introduced either under the peeta bearing Goddess Ambica or before the peeta. Here, Sri Chakra is introduced in the Mandap before Goddess Ambica. This is called Agna Chakra. Those with despondency and disarray sit on this Chakra and go to Ambica. They accept they would be liberated from disarrays.

Significance

Devotees visit this temple to seek fulfillment of the following:-

  • Salvation
  • Wealth
  • Relief from diseases
  • Purchase of vehicles
  • Gain Knowledge
Shlokas

Kailaasarana Shiva Chandramouli Phaneendra Maathaa Mukutee Zalaalee Kaarunya Sindhu Bhava Dukha Haaree Thujaveena Shambho Maja Kona Taaree

Meaning -Oh Lord Shiva who is seated on Mount Kailash, where the moon decorates his forehead and the king of serpents crown his head, who is merciful and removes delusion, You alone can protect me. I surrender to thee.

Aum Trayambakam Yajaamahey Sugandhim Pusti Vardhanam Urvaarukamiva Bandhanaath Mrutyor Muksheeya Maamritaat

Meaning -We worship the fragrant Lord Shiva, who has 3 eyes and who cultivates all beings. May He free me from death, for immortality, as even a cucumber is separated from its bond with the vine.

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