26th January 2020.
The visit to this Sree Neelakandaswamy Temple at Thiruvithamcode in Kanyakumari District was a part of Nanjil Nadu Heritage Walk organized by Yaaooyaakay and Celebrate Kanchi in association with Tamil Nadu Tourism and Development Department, Kanyakumari, scheduled on 24th to 26th January 2020. This was the 1st temple’s visit on the third day. This place is being spelled in different ways such as Thiruvithancode, Thiruvithankodu, Thiruvithamcode, etc. Thiruvithamcode was the Capital city of the Thrippapur Swaroopam or Nanjil Nadu,during Venad Kings rule.
Moolavar : Sri Neelakandaswamy
Some of the salient features of this temple are....
The temple is facing east with an entrance mandapam. The temple tank is on the right side.The temple complex consists of a Shiva Temple and a Vishnu Temple. Dwajasthambam and balipedam are in front of the mukhamandapam. The base of the dwajasthambam has the small brass idols. The mukhamandapam entrance 4 pillars has the sculptures of Arjunan, Karnan / Bheeman and Dwarapalakas. Nandhi is in the arthamandapam. Moolavar in the sanctum looks cute. There is no images in the koshtam. There is no separate sannadhi for Ambal. Natarajar is in the inner prakaram, facing south.
Vishnu temple is on the left side of the Siva Temple with Sanctum Sanctorum, arthamandapam and an inner prakaram. This Vishnu temple also has a separate Dwajasthamabam and balipedam.
ARCHITECTURE:
The Sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala and arthamandapam. The entrance to the arthamandapam is from three sides. The devotees are allowed up to east side of the arthamandapam entrance. The sanctum sanctorum is on a simple pathabhanda adhisthana. Inner prakaram is closed on the top. The prastharam is of kabotha style with kood. In the mukhamandapa thulabaram. The outer walls of the temple are extended like a porch and supported with ladies with lamp / Pavai vilakku. On that once sculpture is a pregnant lady.
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
The temple is believed to be constructed during 8th to 9th Century Aay Kings period. The mukha mandapa was constructed during 16th to 17th Century. Inscriptions are found on a boulder near the sanctum and north side of the adhisthanam.
The 12th Century Sundara Chozha Padyan’s inscription the boulder records the gift of gold to burn a perpetual lamp at Thirumuthancode Mahadevar.
On the north side sanctum wall, the inscription records the gift of buffaloes to burn perpetual lamps to Lord of this temple. There is no mention about the King's name.
FESTIVALS AND CELEBRATIONS
Pradosham, Annual festival and Mahashivarathri are conducted in grand manner. Utsavar will be taken in procession on elephants, during annual function day which will be held between Dec- Jan. Mahashivarathri day devotees used to pray at 12 Shiva Temples, by run called Shivalaya ottam.
There are 12 Shiva Temples around Kalkulam namely, Thirumalai Mahadevar Temple, Theekuruchi Mahadevar Temple, Thirparappu Mahadevar Temple, Thirunanthikarai Sri Nandeeswarar Temple, Ponmanai Theembilangudi Mahadevar Temple, Thirupandripakam Shiva Temple, Kalkulam / ( Thiruvithamcode ? ) Neelakanda Swamy Temple, Melangode Shiva temple, Thirupandricode Mahadevar temple and Thirunattalam Sankara Narayanar Temple. On Maha Shivrathri day devotees used to run and worship all the temples shouting “E Gopala, e Gopala,.... Govinda.." Usually the run will start from Thirumalai Mahadevar Temple and finishes at Nattalam Sankaranarayanar temple, thus covering a total distance of 110 KM.
LEGEND:
It is believed that Vyaghrapathar, Maha Vishnu and Sages worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple.
TEMPLE TIMINGS:
The temple will be kept opened between 05.00 hrs to 11.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.
HOW TO REACH:
The Place Thiruvithamcode ia about 2 KM from Thuckalay, 25 KM from Nagercoil, 35 KM from Kanyakumari, 107 KM from Tirunelveli, 260 KM from Madurai and 800 KM from Chennai.
Nearest Railway Station is Nagercoil.
LOCATION: CLICK HERE
MAHA VISHNU TEMPLE
Arjuna & Karna / Bheema
Dwarapalakas
Mukhamandapam bas-relief
Mukhamandapam ceiling bas-relief
Mukhamandapam
Mukhamandapam - balipedam
Inscriptions in the Adhisthanam
Inscriptions on the adhisthanam
MAHA VISHNU TEMPLE
Hanuman and Garudan
---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---
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