THIRPARAPPUMAHADEVAR KOVIL, NEAR THIRPARAPPU WATER FALLS ,KANYAKUMARI DISTRICT, TAMIL NADU–COMPILED
Dear friends, Today my posting is about Thirparappu Mahadevar Kovil, locatednear Thirparappu waterfalls in the Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is believed to bethe third of the twelve Shivalayas, known for the Shivalaya Ottam festivalduring Shivaratri. It's situated near the falls, on the left bank of the river,and is fortified. The temple is believed to be built around the 9th century AD. I have visited the temple after bath in the waterfalls, fewtimes while working in Trivandrum along with relatives and family members. Hope a divine reading. Gopalakrishnan 26-4-2025 Here's a more detailedlook: Location: The temple is situated near the Thirparappuwaterfalls, which are located about 55 kilometers from Kanyakumari. It is a manmade water fall Deity: The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, specificallyworshiped as Virabhadra,a fierce incarnation of Shiva. Significance: It is one of the twelve Shivalayas and is knownfor the Shivalaya Ottam runduring Shivaratri. Fortification: The temple is enclosed by strongfortifications. History: The temple is believed to have been built around the9th century AD. Introduction On the banks of Kothayar river, near the stunning Thirparappu waterfalls, blessedwith abundant scenic beauty is the third temple of the Sivalaya Ottam, theThirparappu Mahadevar temple. The temple has been built around 9th centurythough some carvings suggest it existed even before that. It is believed that Adi Shankaracharya used to visit and stay atthis temple. King SreeVisakham Thirunal also used to visit this temple to offer hisprayers.(This temple was inKerala state before Lingustic formation) The place was earlier called as Sri Visalam and SreeVilasapuram. . Sri means “Thiru” and “Visalam” means “Parappu”. Thus it isknown as Thirupparappu. The word “Thirupparappu” denotes a pavilion of beautyand sacredness. Legend The wrath of Lord Shiva at the death of his wife Sati,manifested in his fierce form of Veerabadhra. It isthe form of Lord which is worshipped in the temple of Thiruparappu. As per the legend, it is believed that Bhagwan Shiv had comehere to meditate to quell His fiery after diminishing Daksha. Daksha was thefather of Sati (the earlier form of Sri Parvathi Devi) and he had married offhis daughter to Rudra (the earlier form of Bhagwan Shiv). He had continuously disrespectedhis son-in-law and it resulted in his diminution. History The temple has been built around 9th century though somecarvings suggest it existed even before that. It is believed that AdiShankaracharya used to visit and stay at this temple. King Sree VisakhamThirunal also used to visit this temple to offer his prayers. Architecture The temple is built in Kerala type architecture. AfterDwajasthambam, we come to the main sanctum. Near Bali Peetam, to the left sidelies the sanctum of Sri Shiva Jwara Lingam. The main sanctum is in circular shape. The surrounding wallis made of stone and the roof is made of copper. The temple is fortified with high stone walls. This templefor Lord Siva faces thewest. There are many old inscriptions in this temple including theone of the Pandya King dated ninth century. The Vimana(roof) of the shrine isadorned with sculptures. The temple is built in Kerala type architecture. AfterDwajasthambam, we come to the main sanctum. Near Bali Peetam, to the left sidelies the sanctum of Sri Shiva Jwara Lingam. Main Deity We get the darshan of Sri Veera Bhadra Swamy in the form ofShiv Ling. Generally the Siva temples faces the east. But this shrine face west. As He is in one ofHis fiercest forms, Sri Nandi is not facing Him directly. The Lord afterdestroying the yagam of dhaxa as vIrabhadra mUrthi has taken abode over here.This Lord, Who is very sweet for the sincere worshippers, is in a fierce form. The outer wall of the main sanctum is adorned with deepams.When we come out of the main sanctum, we do the perambulation of the outercourt yard. There is another Shiv sanctum inside the temple set in a stoneenclosure. It is called as Sripada Sivappirai. Sub deities In the same place, we get the darshan of Sri Parvathi Devi. There is asanctum for Sri Ganapathy at this place. Both Sri Parvathi Devi and Sri Ganapathi are facing east. Thereis Sannidhi for Lord Sri Sastha. On perambulation ofthe main sanctum, we get the darshan of Sri Nandikeshwara Swamy in a separate sanctum. Then, weget the darshan of Sri Krishnain a sanctum set in an ornate mandapam. Then we continue to have the darshan ofBhadra Kali in asanctum. There is also a sanctum for Sri Hanuman. Temple timings 5.00 AM to 11.00 AM and 5.00 PM to 8.00 PM. Temple Rituals The priests perform daily rituals and puja to the diety. Thulupotties are performing the daily pujas and ceremonies. Famous Festivals March - Sivrathri, Sivalaya ottam(Feb/Mar) December – Thiruvathira Maha Shivrathri is the major festival celebrated at thistemple. This temple is the third of the twelve Shivalaya Ottam (run) temples.All the twelve temples are situated in Kanyakumari District. Annual Brahmotsavam is held in Panguni month. Arudra darshanin Margazhi month is celebrated as Valiya Thiruvadirai. Darsan Dresscode Devotees are advised to wear clean and traditional clothing.Western attire are not allowed in the temples of Tamil Nadu Thirparappu water falls Thirparappu Waterfall ismanmade and created as part of a dam project. Situated near Poovar in the district of Kanyakumari,Thirparappu Waterfalls is a spectacular cascade that captivates visitors withits enchanting beauty. Theseman-made falls, standing at a height of 50 feet, are surrounded by lush greenfoliage that provides a serene and picturesque setting. Thecascading waters create a quaint pool below, making it a perfect spot forchildren to frolic and enjoy. Just below the falls, a gentle stream allowsvisitors to dip their feet and revel in the refreshing waters. Culture Kanyakumari district is the southernmost tip of the Indianpeninsula. This area of Kanyakumari district, with its location near the Keralaborder is a major trade centre. Thriparappu water falls is a famous touristdestination Location Thirparappu can be reached through bus either fromThiruvananthapuram or Nagarkoil. Taxis can also be booked. Interesting detailedinformation from a research paper submitted( Mostly repeat information with details) The temple is situated in one and a half acres7 of land, andit has prakaras. The temple consists of a circular granite wall with a coppersheeted roof. In front of the main shrine, the mukhamandapam is sittuated. Itis a square structure consisting of a granite basement and a copper sheetedroof with ornamental wooden ceiling. Balipeeta is in front of the mukhamandapam. At the entranceof the inner temple and at the central shine there are two “Dhwarapalakas” onthe either side. The Nandi is in a separate chamber, built in the thirumuttamon the northern side of the mukhamandapam. This has granite side wall. There isa nalambalam which is a terraced granite structure. In the north and eastambalams, there are seven rooms. There is an outer varandha all around. At thenalambalam in which vilakkumadams made in wood and provided with iron pans arefixed. There is an ornamental wooden pillars covered with brass-sheets. Thereis a thirumuttam which is paved with granite and the nalambalam is also builtin granite and terraced. There is an azhi around the nalambalam. In front of the western ambalam is the belikkalpura. This isa terraced granite structure and has varandhas on either side with a passage inthe middle. There is a wooden vilakkumadam fited upon either side of theentrance to the western ambalam. The temple has two enclosures. The shrines ofAmbal and ganapathy of this temple are facing east on either side of the Mukhamandapam. This isbuilt in granite. There is also a plakatchupurai in this varandha. On thenorth-west corner of the belikkalpura is the Jawareswarar temple, built ingranite. The northern side of the belikkalpura is enclosed partly by woodenazhies. On the north-western corner of the prakaram is the Sri Krishna temple. The statue of Sri Krishna has ballsof butter in both hands. This consists of a Srikoil with an Ambalam. TheSrikoil has a Sikharam and the Ambalam is terraced, which faces to the east. There is Mukhamandapam infront of this temple. On the northside of the prakaram is the Subramanya Swami temple, and it faces to the west.This consists of a srikoil, a mukhappu attached to it, and a granite varandhaall around. On the southern side of the prakaram is the Hanuman temple, builtin granite and terraced. There is a pradakshinavazhi round the temple with aterraced roof and masonry parapet wall. The madappalli occupies the southern ambalam. Attached to themadappalli is the namaskaramandapam, close to which there is an undergroundcellar. It is 16 feet long, 5 feet wide and 10 feet deep, the walls of whichare of hewn granite block. The cellar is said to be the abode of cobras and isnow out of use. On the south-west side close to the compound is the ootupuraiwith brick masonry walls and compartments. The compound wall is built ingranite and three terraced granite mukhappus on the eastern, western andnorthern entrances of the compound. Outside the western gate there is aretaining wall and a flight of granite steps leading to the river. The river runs close byand serves for puja and bathing purposes. Outside the temple in the Sreepada Siva parai on whichthere is a shrine dedicated to Siva. This is said to be the moolasthanam of thetemple. This has a granite enclosure. There is a granite thalakkal leading tothis temple from the main temple. On the north-eastern corner of this templehas a nagar platform. To safe guard the Muslim invasions the golden idol of Mahadeva (utsavamurthy) was sent to the famous Adi-Keshava Perumal temple of Thiruvattar on theout skirts of the village. It is still preserved in the “sanctum” ofthis temple. This temple was a famous Saivite pilgrimage center in the 12thcentury A.D., and it attracted pilgrims from distant places like Madurai. Festivals are the symbols of the way of like and culture of acountry. Most of the festivals have a religious and scientific background fortheir celebration. They do reveal the customs and the civilization of thepeople. The routine puja time of this temple is morning 5-11’o clock, evening5-8’o clock. Karnataga potties are performing the daily pujas and ceremonies. The annual festival of Thirupparappu Shiva temple falls onthe Tamil month of Pankuni. The flag is hoisted on the month of Purattasi andthe arat is conducted on thiruvathira, the asterism of lord Siva. In the monthof Markali, Thiruvathirai is celebrated in the temple in a grand manner and itis popularly known as “valiya Thiruvathirai”. A Mahotsava, according to the agamas, should celebrate someceremonies and all these are most carefully conducted in this temple. They are,the Dhwajarohana or the hoisting of the flag at the top of the dhwajastambha.The initial ceremony of the utsava, the dhwajarohana announces the commencementof the festival. Ankura or germinating seeds of the navadhanya, the ninevarieties of pulses are kept in a vessal. Associated also with Hindu marriages,this feature is believed to symbolize growth and prosperity. Theerthavari aratrepresents the sacred bath of the deity. Unlike the daily abhisekha, this is apompous celebration, and the image is taken in procession to the sacred tank(theppakulam) for the holy bath. There at the bathing ghat, neivedyam and puja are offered.The nine varieties of corn, made to germinate since the night of thedhwajarohana, are now offered, along with the cooked rice, as oblation, withthe return of the procession to the temple, the arat festival terminates. Thelast ceremony connected with the utsava is the formal lowering of the flag.Immediately preceding it is the elaborate celebration of the maunabali. It is quite aunique ceremory . No image is carried. No musical party accompanies theprocession. In fact, the group consist only of four men. Another one important festival conducted in the Sivalayams isSivaratri. It is celebrated in the month of February – March. People spend the whole night in Japa and Dhyana of Siva,without any thought of food and sleep and offer bilwa leaves to theSivalinga. Sivalaya ottam is conducted for the occasion of Sivarati, thefamous twelve Siva temples of Kanyakumari District. From Thirumalai, thousandsof devotees start in many groups uttering the words “Govinda, Gobhala” under aleader Guruswamy. The devotees take short routes from Thirumalai and reach Thikkurichi.They take a holy bath at Thikkurichi before entering the temple therein. Immediately after worshipping at the Thikkurichi MahadevarTemple, the ottam continues for fifteen miles and the pilgrims enter theThirupparappu Mahadevar Temple. The ultimate stage of the ottam now reaches atThirunattalam7. The twelve Sivalayams will be vibrant with the spirit offestivity and jubilation on the ottam day. Temple architecture became a common medium for expressing theview point of our literary people. The Cholas, Cheras, and Pandayas paidspecial attention to architecture. The art and architecture are found in ahighly developed state in most of the Siva temples in Kanyakumari District. Thevast majority of them have been built in the Kerala style with theircharacteristic srikoil and predominance of wood architecture. This isprobably due to the intimate connection that has excisted between Travancore and the adjoining districts ofTirunelveli and Madurai where theDravidian races flourished and constructedsome of their best architectural works. The ancient Siva temple ofThirupparappu, has a distinctness of style in that the vimana (roof) of itscentral shrine containing the garbhagraha dominates the whole temple structure.It is reminiscent of the early Chola style of architectur -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Thatha_Patty" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to thatha_patty+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/186900604.1225881.1745641537637%40mail.yahoo.com.
