The temple at Nager coil stretched up to Kerala border had surprises of kali temple in a cave closeby 3 places including tirparappu is given here. Unfortunately I tried 3 times to enter the cave through water but people there warned of snakes there and ASI who did research there left it half the way KR IRS 26425 attached word doc of cave temples of Nagercol and Kerala 3 in numbers including tirparappu
On Sat, 26 Apr 2025 at 09:55, 'gopala krishnan' via KeralaIyers < keralaiy...@googlegroups.com> wrote: > THIRPARAPPU MAHADEVAR KOVIL, NEAR THIRPARAPPU WATER FALLS ,KANYAKUMARI > DISTRICT, TAMIL NADU –COMPILED > > Dear friends, > > Today my posting is about Thirparappu Mahadevar Kovil, located near > Thirparappu waterfalls in the Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu. > > The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is believed to be the third of > the twelve Shivalayas, known for the Shivalaya Ottam festival during > 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, few times while > working in Trivandrum along with relatives and family members. > > Hope a divine reading. > > Gopalakrishnan 26-4-2025 > > *Here's a more detailed look:* > > Location: The temple is situated near the Thirparappu waterfalls, which > are located about 55 kilometers from Kanyakumari. *It is a manmade water > fall* > > Deity: The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, specifically worshiped as > Virabhadra, a fierce incarnation of Shiva. > > Significance: It is one of the twelve Shivalayas and is known for the > *Shivalaya > Ottam run during Shivaratri. * > > Fortification: The temple is enclosed by strong fortifications. > > History: The temple is believed to have been built around the *9th > century AD.* > > Introduction > > On the banks of Kothayar river, near the stunning Thirparappu waterfalls, > blessed with abundant scenic beauty is the third temple of the Sivalaya > Ottam, the Thirparappu Mahadevar temple. The temple has been built around > 9th century though some carvings suggest it existed even before that. > > It is believed that *Adi Shankaracharya* used to visit and stay at this > temple. King *Sree Visakham Thirunal* also used to visit this temple to > offer his prayers*.(This temple was in Kerala state before Lingustic > formation)* > > The place was earlier called as Sri Visalam and Sree Vilasapuram. . Sri > means “Thiru” and “Visalam” means “Parappu”. Thus it is known as > Thirupparappu. The word “Thirupparappu” denotes a pavilion of beauty and > sacredness. > > Legend > > The wrath of Lord Shiva at the death of his wife Sati, manifested in his > fierce form of Veerabadhra. It is the form of Lord which is worshipped > in the temple of Thiruparappu. > > As per the legend, it is believed that Bhagwan Shiv had come here to > meditate to quell His fiery after diminishing Daksha. Daksha was the father > of Sati (the earlier form of Sri Parvathi Devi) and he had married off his > daughter to Rudra (the earlier form of Bhagwan Shiv). He had continuously > disrespected his son-in-law and it resulted in his diminution. > > History > > The temple has been built around 9th century though some carvings suggest > it existed even before that. It is believed that Adi Shankaracharya used to > visit and stay at this temple. King Sree Visakham Thirunal also used to > visit this temple to offer his prayers. > > Architecture > > The temple is built in Kerala type architecture. After Dwajasthambam, we > come to the main sanctum. Near Bali Peetam, to the left side lies the > sanctum of Sri Shiva Jwara Lingam. > > The main sanctum is in circular shape. The surrounding wall is made of > stone and the roof is made of copper. > > The temple is fortified with high stone walls. This temple for *Lord Siva > faces the west*. There are many old inscriptions in this temple including > the one of the Pandya King dated ninth century. The Vimana(roof) of the > shrine is adorned with sculptures. > > The temple is built in Kerala type architecture. After Dwajasthambam, we > come to the main sanctum. Near Bali Peetam, to the left side lies the > sanctum of Sri Shiva Jwara Lingam. > > Main Deity > > We get the darshan of Sri Veera Bhadra Swamy in the form of Shiv Ling. > Generally the Siva temples faces the east. But this shrine face west. As > He is in one of His fiercest forms, Sri Nandi is not facing Him directly. > The Lord after destroying 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 outer court yard. > There is another Shiv sanctum inside the temple set in a stone enclosure. > It is called as Sripada Sivappirai. > > Sub deities > > In the same place, we get the darshan of Sri Parvathi Devi. There is a > sanctum for Sri Ganapathy at this place. Both Sri Parvathi Devi and Sri > Ganapathi are facing east. There is Sannidhi for Lord Sri Sastha. On > perambulation of the main sanctum, we get the darshan of Sri Nandikeshwara > Swamy in a separate sanctum. Then, we get the darshan of Sri Krishna in a > sanctum set in an ornate mandapam. Then we continue to have the darshan of > Bhadra > Kali in a sanctum. 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. Thulu potties 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 this temple. 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 darshan in 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 is manmade 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 with its enchanting > beauty. *These man-made falls, standing at a height of 50 feet, are > surrounded by lush green foliage that provides a serene and picturesque > setting*. The cascading waters create a quaint pool below, making it a > perfect spot for children to frolic and enjoy. Just below the falls, a > gentle stream allows visitors to dip their feet and revel in the refreshing > waters. > > Culture > > Kanyakumari district is the southernmost tip of the Indian peninsula. This > area of Kanyakumari district, with its location near the Kerala border is a > major trade centre. Thriparappu water falls is a famous tourist destination > > Location > > Thirparappu can be reached through bus either from Thiruvananthapuram or > Nagarkoil. Taxis can also be booked. > > *Interesting detailed information from a research paper submitted**( > Mostly repeat information with details)* > > The temple is situated in one and a half acres7 of land, and it has > prakaras. The temple consists of a circular granite wall with a copper > sheeted roof. In front of the main shrine, the mukhamandapam is sittuated. > It is a square structure consisting of a granite basement and a copper > sheeted roof with ornamental wooden ceiling. > > Balipeeta is in front of the mukhamandapam. At the entrance of the inner > temple and at the central shine there are two “Dhwarapalakas” on the either > side. The Nandi is in a separate chamber, built in the thirumuttam on the > northern side of the mukhamandapam. This has granite side wall. There is a > nalambalam which is a terraced granite structure. In the north and east > ambalams, there are seven rooms. There is an outer varandha all around. At > the nalambalam in which vilakkumadams made in wood and provided with iron > pans are fixed. There is an ornamental wooden pillars covered with > brass-sheets. There is a thirumuttam which is paved with granite and the > nalambalam is also built in granite and terraced. There is an azhi around > the nalambalam. > > In front of the western ambalam is the belikkalpura. This is a terraced > granite structure and has varandhas on either side with a passage in the > middle. There is a wooden vilakkumadam fited upon either side of the > entrance to the western ambalam. The temple has two enclosures. The shrines > of Ambal and ganapathy of this temple are facing east on either side of > the Mukhamandapam. This is built in granite. There is also a plakatchupurai > in this varandha. On the north-west corner of the belikkalpura is the > Jawareswarar temple, built in granite. The northern side of the > belikkalpura is enclosed partly by wooden azhies. On the north-western > corner of the prakaram is the Sri Krishna temple. The statue of Sri > Krishna has balls of butter in both hands. This consists of a Srikoil > with an Ambalam. The Srikoil has a Sikharam and the Ambalam is terraced, > which faces to the east. > > There is Mukhamandapam infront of this temple. On the north side 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 varandha > all around. On the southern side of the prakaram is the Hanuman temple, > built in granite and terraced. There is a pradakshinavazhi round the temple > with a terraced roof and masonry parapet wall. > > The madappalli occupies the southern ambalam. Attached to the madappalli > is the namaskaramandapam, close to which there is an underground cellar. It > is 16 feet long, 5 feet wide and 10 feet deep, the walls of which are of > hewn granite block. The cellar is said to be the abode of cobras and is now > out of use. On the south-west side close to the compound is the ootupurai > with brick masonry walls and compartments. The compound wall is built in > granite and three terraced granite mukhappus on the eastern, western and > northern entrances of the compound. Outside the western gate there is a > retaining wall and a flight of granite steps leading to the river. > > The river runs close by and serves for puja and bathing purposes. > > Outside the temple in the Sreepada Siva parai on which there is a shrine > dedicated to Siva. This is said to be the moolasthanam of the temple. This > has a granite enclosure. There is a granite thalakkal leading to this > temple from the main temple. On the north-eastern corner of this temple has > a nagar platform. *To safe guard the Muslim invasions the golden idol of > Mahadeva (utsava murthy) was sent to the famous Adi-Keshava Perumal temple > of Thiruvattar on the out skirts of the village*. It is still preserved > in the “sanctum” of this temple. This temple was a famous Saivite > pilgrimage center in the 12th century A.D., and it attracted pilgrims from > distant places like Madurai. > > Festivals are the symbols of the way of like and culture of a country. > Most of the festivals have a religious and scientific background for their > celebration. They do reveal the customs and the civilization of the people. > The routine puja time of this temple is morning 5-11’o clock, evening 5-8’o > clock. Karnataga potties are performing the daily pujas and ceremonies. > > The annual festival of Thirupparappu Shiva temple falls on the Tamil month > of Pankuni. The flag is hoisted on the month of Purattasi and the arat is > conducted on thiruvathira, the asterism of lord Siva. In the month of > Markali, Thiruvathirai is celebrated in the temple in a grand manner and it > is popularly known as “valiya Thiruvathirai”. > > A Mahotsava, according to the agamas, should celebrate some ceremonies 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 > commencement of the festival. Ankura or germinating seeds of the > navadhanya, the nine varieties of pulses are kept in a vessal. Associated > also with Hindu marriages, this feature is believed to symbolize growth and > prosperity. > > *Theerthavari arat represents the sacred bath of the deity. Unlike the > daily abhisekha, this is a pompous 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 the dhwajarohana, are now > offered, along with the cooked rice, as oblation, with the return of the > procession to the temple, the arat festival terminates. The last 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 a > unique ceremory . No image is carried. No musical party accompanies the > procession. In fact, the group consist only of four men. > > Another one important festival conducted in the Sivalayams is Sivaratri. > 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 the Sivalinga. Sivalaya > ottam is conducted for the occasion of Sivarati, the famous twelve Siva > temples of Kanyakumari District. From Thirumalai, thousands of devotees > start in many groups uttering the words “Govinda, Gobhala” under a leader > 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 Mahadevar Temple, the > ottam continues for fifteen miles and the pilgrims enter the Thirupparappu > Mahadevar Temple. The ultimate stage of the ottam now reaches at > Thirunattalam7. The twelve Sivalayams will be vibrant with the spirit of > festivity and jubilation on the ottam day. > > Temple architecture became a common medium for expressing the view point > of our literary people. The Cholas, Cheras, and Pandayas paid special > attention to architecture. The art and architecture are found in a highly > developed state in most of the Siva temples in Kanyakumari District. The > vast majority of them have been built in the Kerala style with their > characteristic srikoil and predominance of wood architecture. This is > probably due to the intimate connection that has excisted between > Travancore and the adjoining districts of Tirunelveli and Madurai where the > Dravidian races flourished and constructed some of their best > architectural works. The ancient Siva temple of Thirupparappu, has a > distinctness of style in that the vimana (roof) of its central shrine > containing the garbhagraha dominates the whole temple structure. It is > reminiscent of the early Chola style of architectur > > -- > On Facebook, please join https://www.facebook.com/groups/keralaiyerstrust > > We are now on Telegram Mobile App also, please join > > Pattars/Kerala Iyers Discussions: https://t.me/PattarsGroup > > Kerala Iyers Trust Decisions only posts : https://t.me/KeralaIyersTrust > > Kerala Iyers Trust Group for Discussions: > https://t.me/KeralaIyersTrustGroup > --- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "KeralaIyers" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to keralaiyers+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. > To view this discussion visit > https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/keralaiyers/186900604.1225881.1745641537637%40mail.yahoo.com > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/keralaiyers/186900604.1225881.1745641537637%40mail.yahoo.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > . > -- 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/CAL5XZop4Q5Y8Nu2oyHO-AYrFBiiXEGvZKYU3bsKvHWmDB9WNHQ%40mail.gmail.com.
Kurathiarai Cave Temple.docx
Description: MS-Word 2007 document
