Sankaranayinarkoil

Sankaranarayanarkoil(Tamil: சங்கரநாராயனர் கோயில்) is a city and a municipality in the Tirunelveli district of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.

The temple

Sankaranarayanar koil, Sankarankoil, Tirunelveli

Sankarankovil is home to the famous Sankara Narayanan temple. It is situated at Tirunelveli District and 56 km away from Thirunelveli City. Sankarankovil is the second largest town in the district. It is very famous for "Adi Thabasu" festival. In older times, the city was called as Sankaranayinar kovil. Even now it is called as Sankaran Kovil.

Like every other temple, Sankarankovil has its own interesting story. Once the devotees of Lord Hari (or Vishnu) and Lord Brahma quarreled with each other to determine whose god is powerful. Then Lord Shiva appeared as Sankaranarayanar to mark his devotees to understand that both Hari and Shiva are one and the same. So it is held sacred by Saivites and those Hindus who believe that Siva and Vishnu are a single deity one in one and accordingly, desire to worship the two gods into one form. Srivaishnavites of Tamil Nadu who worship Lord Vishnu only, have not accepted the mingling of Siva and Vishnu thus, and therefore, they reject this deity of this temple which depicts the concept of Hari and Haran being one God.

It was built by Ukkira Pandiyan AC 900.It houses the deity by the name Sankara Narayanan, which is half - Lord Shiva and the other half - Lord Vishnu.

The deities of this temple are Sri Sankareswarar, Sri Gomathi Amman and Sri Sankara Narayanar. Sankarankovil is also said to be home to the deity named Avudai Ambal-RR.

The general belief is that the Holy Sand "Puttrumann" (Puttru = Ant Hill, Mann = Sand) that one gets from this temple is capable of curing all the diseases. Devotees believe that Sankarankovil‘s Nagasunai (sacred tank) have been dug by serpent kings named Paduman and Sangam which has a miraculous power to heal those who bathe there. The Annadhanam scheme is being conducted in the temple when daily noon meals are being provided for around 100 devotees.

The Puthu Maan in the temple is taken as a holy sand which could cure lot of disease by all devotees.

It is believed that all devotees who pray to the goddess Gomathi amman have always found solace.

History

Once upon a time a "Devan" (Angel) called "Manikkeerivan" was cursed by Goddess Parvathi. Because of which, he had to come to earth and work as gardener in a beautiful garden. One day while he was clearing a snake pit, the snake tail was also cut. He found a Sivalingam next to the snake. He went and informed about this to his king Ukkira Pandiyan. The king considered it to be the god's wish to stay there and constructed the temple and a city around.

The snake pit (Ant Hill) is called "Vanmeekam" (Tamil: வன்மீகம்). Hence the deity Sri Sankaralingar is also called "Vanmeeganadhar" (Tamil: வன்மீகநாதர்).

Demographics

As of 2011 India census,^[1] Sankarankovil had a population of 70, 574
Males constitute 50% of the population and females 50%.
Sankarankovil has an average literacy rate of 68%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 77%, and female literacy is 60%.
In Sankarankovil, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Festivals

Chithhirai Bramotsava ( 10 days ) Every April
Adi thapasu festival ( 12 days ) August
Iyppasi Thirukkalyanam festival ( 10 days ) October
Theppam floating festival - Thai last Friday ( Every February )

Thiru Kotti Ayyanar Temple Festival

The great Thiru Kotti Ayyanar Temple is situated near Sankarankovil. Sankaranarayan Temple is completely linked with the activity's of this temple in the Tamil month of masi people from all over Tamil Nadu will visit here and get the Tharshan of great Thiru Kotti Ayyanar. The great power of this god is whenever you calling him in tough times you can able to understand any gesture and your problem will be solved after the guesture. It is exactly far from 6 km from sankarankovil. At one time the temple is own property of Kalappakulam village and the great story is their.

References

↑ "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2011 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 2004-06-16. Retrieved 2008-11-01.

Hindu temples in Tamil Nadu
Chennai	Ashtalakshmi Kovil Chennakesava Perumal Temple, Chennai Ekambareswarar Temple, Chennai Ettampadai Kalikambal Temple Kapaleeshwarar Temple Madhya Kailash Mallikesvarar Temple, Chennai Marundeeswarar Temple Nandeeswarar Temple Parthasarathy Temple Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal Prathyangira Devi Temple, Shollinganallur Ravishwarar Sri Balaji Temple, T. Nagar Tiruvalithayam Vadapalani Andavar Temple Varasiddhi Vinayaka Temple Jagannath Temple
Tirunelveli district	Ayikudi Balasubramanya Swami Temple Kulashekharanatha Mahalingam Temple, Pathai Nellaiappar Temple Sankaranayinarkoil Thirukutralam Thirumalai Kovil Vaithya lingam temple Vanniappar Temple
Vellore district	Apatsahayesvarar Temple, Alangudi Bhaktavatsala Perumal Temple, Tirukannamangai Engan Murugan Temple Kalyana Varadharaja Perumal Temple Kothandarama Temple, Thillaivilagam Nadutariappar Temple Paampuranathar Temple, Thirupampuram

Coordinates: 9°10′15″N 77°31′58″E / 9.170735°N 77.53283°E / 9.170735; 77.53283

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