These nine Siva temples are located uniquely on the riverbed of Thamirabarani river. Papanasam Cheranmahadevi Kodaganallur Kunnathur Murappanadu Srivaikuntam Thenthiruperai Rajapathy Senthamangalam, Authoor, Thoothukkudi District
There are 9 Siva temples in Tirunelveli-Thoothukudi areas. The nine shrines are dedicated to navagrahas one for each graha. 1. Papanasam - Suryan (Sun) - Mela Kailasam 2. Cheran Mahadevi - Thingal (Moon) - Mela Kailasam 3. Kodaganallur - Chevvai(Mars) - Mela Kailasam 4.Kunnathur - Rahu - Keezh kailasam 5. Murappanadu - Guru (Jupitor) - Keezh kailasam 6. Thiruvaikundam - Sani (Saturn) - Keezh kailasam 7. Thenthirupperai - Budan (Mercury) - Keezh kailasam 8. Raajapathy - Kethu - Keezh kailasam 9. Saendha Poomangalam - Sukran (Venus) - Keezh kailasam
As said by Sage Agasthiyar Romasa Maharishi did the same. The first flower docks at Papanasam. Second flower at Cheranmahadevi, third at Kodakanallur, fourth flower at Kunnathur (Sankaani), fifth flower at Murappanadu, sixth atSri Vaikundam, seventh flower at Then Thirupperai, eighth flower at Raajapathi and the last one ninth flower atPoomangalam. So Romasa Maharishi built temples on those places and worshipped and in due course attained mukthi. The speciality of these temples at each of these Navakailasam temples is considered as an abode of one of the Navagrahams. So making a pilgrimage trip to all the nine temples in shot will have the same effect of what you will get on worshipping at Navagraha Temples.
Nava Kailash Deities and Corresponding Nine Planets or Navagrahas Let us look at the presiding deities of Nava Kailash or Nava Kailasam and all the shrines here as aspects of a navagraham.
Temples and Deities at Mela Kailasam (Upper Kailash) Navakailasam Papanasam Navagraha Temple at Tirunelveli : This place is considered as Surya Sthalam (Sun) Presiding Deity at Papanasam: Lord Shiva also known in the names of Papanaasar, Mukalinga Nathar, Paramalai Nayakar, Varasa lingar, Mukkalinga Munivar.
Goddess at Papanasam: Ulagammai.
Navakailasam Cheranmahadevi Navagraha Temple at Tirunelveli : This place is considered as Thingal Sthalam (Moon).
Presiding Deity at Cheranmahadevi: Lord Shiva in the name of Ammai Nathar, Kailasanathar.
Goddess at Cheranmahadevi: Aavudai Nayaki.
Navakailasam Kodakanallur Navagraha Temple at Tirunelveli : This place is considered as Chevvai Sthalam (Mars).
Presiding Deity at Kodakanallur: Lord Shivan as Kailasanathar
Goddess at Kodakanallur: Sivagami Ammal
Temples and Deities at Naduk Kailasam (Middle Kailash) Navakailasam Kunnathur also known as Sankaani Navagraha Temple at Tirunelveli: This place is considered as Rahu Sthalam
Presiding Deity at Kunnathur Temple: Deity in the name of Kodhaparameshwarar
Goddess at Kunnathur Temple: Sivagami Ambal
Navakailasam Murappanaadu Navagraha Temple at Tirunelveli : This place is considered as Guru Sthalam (Jupiter)
Presiding Deity at Murappanaadu Temple: Lord Siva as Kailasanathar
Goddes at Murappanaadu Temple: Sivami Ambal
Navakailasam Sri Vaikundam or Thiruvaikundam Navagraha Temple: This place is considered as Sani Sthalam (Saturn)
Presiding Deity at Sri Vaigundam Temple: Deity as Kailasanathar
Goddess at Sri Vaikundam or Thiruvaikundam: Ponnammal or Sivagami Ambal.
Temples and Deities at Keezh Kailasam (Lower Kailash) Navakailasam Thenthirupperai Navagraha Temple : This place is considered as Budan Sthalam (Mercury)
Presiding Deity at Thenthirupperai Temple : Kailasanathar
Goddess at Thenthirupperai Temple: Azhagiya Ponnammal
Navakailasam Raajapathy Navagraha Temple : This place is considered as Kethu Sthalam
Presiding Deity at Raajapathy Temple: Lord Kailasanathar
Goddess at Raajapathy Temple: Sivami Ambal
Navakailasam Sernthapoomangalam Navagraha Temple : This place is considered as Sukra Sthalam.
Presiding Deity at Poomangalam Navagraha Temple: Lord Kailasanathar
Goddess at Saendha Poomangalam Temple: Sivagami Ambal
Papanasa Swami temple at Papanasam is about 50 KM from Tirunelveli. The sanctum is situate
d near a "Mukkila" tree,which signifies three Vedas. Thr river Thambrabarani reaches the plains near the temple and flows in South-North direction As Indra,the King of Devas got rid of all sins at this place, the Lord is known as "Papanasa Swami" (Destroyer of Sins).Shiva is said to have shown His Dharshan here to Sage Agasthya & his wife Lobamudra. This place is associated with the Sun God(Soorya) for whom the "Pariharas" are offered.Turmeric is crushed as powder inside the temple complex and l adies offer it to the Goddess Logambikai who is believed to fulfill their desires.
The second among
the Nava Kailasam is at Seran Mahadevi,which is 24 KM from
Thirunelveli. The temple is 3 KM away from the town. As this place is not served by buses, cabs or autos have to be engaged t o reach the temple. Moreover, the temple is kept open between 7 and 8 A.M and 5-6 PM. Since we reached the temple around 9.30A.M., the gates were locked and our att empts to bring back the archaka was in vain. Two sisters who were staunch devotees of Lord Shiva have constructed this t emple.The Lord is also known as Ammanathar.Moon is associated with this temple.
Kodaganalloor is the third Kailash among the group of temples. It is reachable from SeranMahadevi. This "Ankaraga Nivarthi sthalam" is also known for the removal of "Sarpa Dosham". People looking for good alliances for their daughters offer garlands
made of Turmeric to
Nandi who is said to be very powerful.
Kunnathur is about 10 KM from Tirunelveli en route to Thiruvengadanathapuram.This "Rahu Parihara sthalam" is surrounded by hills and the location is beautiful. Peacocks in large numbers fly freely in this isolated place. We were fortunate to capture a peacock in our camera when it was sitting on the compound wall of GothaParameswara temple at Kunnathur.Six headed idol
of
Sri Subramanya in the outer prakara is beautifully carved.This temple is also kept open for
few hours in the morning and in the evening.
Murappanadu is situated between Tirunelveli and Tuticorin and the distance from Tirunelveli is 17 km. This is considered as "Guru Parihara sthalam". The temple is on the western banks of the river Thambrabarani. The river flows from South to North in this place and is viewed on par with Kasi and Ganges. Srivaikundam is 24 km away from Tirunelveli on the road that leads to Thiruchendur. It is considered as "Sani parihara sthalam" This town is the birth place of Sri Kumaraguruparar,the Adhi Guru of Sri Kasi Mutt.
Then Thirupperai is on the way to Thiruchendur (38 km from Tirunelveli.) This "Budha preethi sthalam" is a lso known for Kala Bhairava worship.He has six hands and his vehicle(Dog) is not there.The temple is renovated and kept neat.
Rajapathi is 35 km from Tirunelveli on Tiruchendur route. One has to travel about 5 km from Thenthirupperai towards Athur. The temple is newly constructed to house the ancient Siva lingam. Commuting to this "Kethu parihara sthalam" is not that easy. Sernthapoomangalam can be reached from Athur on Tiruchendur route. The river Thambrabarani meets the ocean at a place called Punnakkayal near here. This "Sukra dosha Nivarthi sthalam" has Kubera in the vimanam. One should not miss visiting Brahmadesam,Thiruppudaimarudur and Sivasailam which can be accessed fr om Ambasamudram.Kalakkadu is another important place near Nanguneri which has to be covered during the trip to Tirunelveli District.The magnificent temple of Kasi Viswanatha at Thenkasi is a feast for art lovers. Needless to add, the glorious temple of Nellayappar at Tirunelveli should be the starting point of the whole agenda.
