Jai Sriman Narayana !!
Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!
Sri Sankara Narayana Swami Kovil/ Punnai Vanam / Sankaran Kovil is one of the
Abhimana Kshetram of Lord Shiva & Lord Vishnu located in Thirunelveli
District, Tamil Nadu. This is one of the
prominent temples Lord Sankara Narayana, an inseparable form of the entities of
Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu built by King Ugrapandiya famous for its stunning
architectural and craftsmanship. This
temple occupies massive acres of land with a majestic 9 tier tower Rajagopuram
of 125ft height is well known for its exquisite murals and stone carvings. In this temple Lord Shiva worshipped in the
form of a self manifested Linga.
Presiding deity – Lord Sankara
Narayana/Sankara Lingeswarar with his consort Goddess Sri Gomathi Ambal/Sri
Chakrarajeswari/ Avudaiambikai
Theertham - Agni Theertham, Surya
Theertham, Agastya Theertham, Bhairavi Theertham, Gouri Theertham, Naga
Theertham
Sannidhis – Lord Ganesha, Lord
Nandikeshwara with his consort Suyajadevi, Lord Subramanya with his consorts
Goddess Sri Valli & Deivayanai, Sankara Narayana, Sankara Lingam,
Navagrahas , Idols of King
Ugrapandiya, Umapathi Sivachariyar,
Manigrivah, Lord Vishnu with his consorts Goddess Sri devi & Boodevi
Nachiyars, Lord Vanmikanathar, Lord Chandramouliswarar in the form of crystal
Linga, Yoga Narasimha, Serpent God, Goshtamurtham – Lingodbhavar, Lord Vishnu,
Festivals – Maha Shivaratri, Adi
Pooram, Panguni Uthiram, Chithirai Brahmostavam, Masi Makam, Thirukarthikai,
Arudra Darisanam, Aippasi Annabhishekam, Thai Theppostavam, Chithirai
Procession of deities, Thiru Kalyana Utsavam, Adi festival, Vaikunda Ekadashi,
Skandhashashti, Thirukalyanam of Lord Subramanya,
The legend has that Goddess Sri
Parvati earnestly requested Lord Shiva to narrate the supremacy between Lord
Vishnu and Lord Shiva. Lord explains the
inseparable existence of the two entities to Goddess Sri Parvati and also
instructs her to undergo austerities on this sacred land of Punnai Vanam so as
to reveal the unique form of Lord as Sankara Narayana. Goddess Sri Parvati underwent severe penance
as per the divine instruction of Lord Shiva and had the dharshan of Lord
Sankara Narayana on this sacred land.
Another legend has that
Manigrivah, the care taker of Punnai Vanam happened to witness the mound of mud/ant-hill,
while clearing the heap accidently cut off the tail of a snake and found the
presence of Linga on this place.
Eventually it was informed to the Umapathi Sivachariyar, passionate
devotee of Lord Shiva and the King Ugrapandya who was ruled this city. The King and his men paid a visit to this
sight, a mysterious voice instructed to construct a temple on its place. Thus, King Ugrapandya constructed a huge magnificent
temple for the worship. This temple
housed the idol of King Ugrapandya, Umapathi Sivachariyar and Manigrivah as a
mark of respect.
This temple remains open from
5.00 AM to 1.00 PM in the morning and 4.00PM to 9.00 PM in the evenings.
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