Sankarankovil

Arulmigu GomathiAmman Temple
-Ancient edifice of architectural skill

                  
Situated 132 kms away from Madurai and 56 km from North of Tirunelveli. The Sankara Narayanan Temple is famous here. 

About the Temple 

The temple of Gomathi Amman –Sankaranayinar is situated on a 4.5 acre site in the heart of the town and it is one of the Puncha Bootha(five elements) Sthalas in the South Pandya country. It is famous as "Prithvi Sthala". Though the temple at Sankarankovil iss said to have been built by Ukkira Pandya, a descendant of the Madurai Pandyas who ruled with Ukkirankottai as capital, the temple looks ancient with its low ceiling in the Mukha Mandapam with enough Lighting and air, speaking volumes about the architechtural skill of our ancestors.         With an imposing Rajagopuram rising to a height of 135 feet(41 mts) with nine tiers, the temple essentially consists of three parts – the shrines of Siva, Gomathi Amman and Sankaranarayanar. The first is the main shrine after one enters in the Rajagopuram and passes through the Nagatheertham.

       After worshipping Vinayaga, the Nandhi, dwarapalakas and the Adikara Nandi with his consort, one can enter the sanctum-sanctorum where the Lord is found in Linga Swaroopam with His Consort, known as Manonmani Ammai, standing nearby.

         The separate shrine of Sankaranarayana, in its Mukamandapa, has many paintings, ancient and modern. The right side of the idol of Sankaranarayana is that of Siva with the deer and "Mazhu" in His hand, wearing the tiger skin and the crescent on His head while on the left side is the image of Lord Narayana with "Peethambara" attire and Sacred Conch in His hand.

The next one is Gomathi Amman shrine. Sacred earth known as "Putru Mann" which has curative effect for various ailments found in a pit to the left of this shrine. There is a "Srichakram" at the entrance to the Amman shrine. The devotees offer in the temple hundial human images made of silver, metal or wood as well as those of scorpion, snake and other reptiles to save them from the bits of insects.             Those who are affected by mental and neurotic disorders, especially women, bathe in the Nagatheertham and worship the Goddess by sitting in front of the Srichakram for 48 days to get cured of illness.

             
According to the legend, when the Goddess came down to the earth to perform penance, the celestials followed her in the form of cows and so the Goddess was known as the head of cow herd, "Aavudaiyal". She was able to see the Almighty on the Adi Full Moon day after doingthe penance for thousands of years in the forest of Punnai trees. Hence the "sthala vriksha" here is the Punnai tree.

Festival - AdiThavasu

               
Corresponding to the Tamil month of Adi and all the southern districts are agog with activity,festivals being celebrated in one temple after another. The first will be the "Adi Pooram" Bramotsavam in the Andal temple, Srivilliputtur, followed by the "Adi Thavasu" festival at Sankarankovil. Of these the "Adi Thavasu" festival at Sankarankovil is considered unique as it marks the request of the Consort of Lord Siva, known as Gomathi Amman here, to show to the world that Lord Narayana and Lord Siva are two different forms of the Supreme Being, She did penance for the same which is known as "Adi Thavasu" and on the Full Moon Day in Adi Lord Siva and Lord Narayana appeared in the unified form of Sankaranarayanar.

     The festival attracts thousands of devotees from far and nears and villagers near Sankarankovil, make it a point to attend it. Some places have gained popularity as "Sakthisthalas" and some as "Sivathalas".

      Sankarankovil is not only an important Sakthi and Siva Sthala but it also famous as the place where the Almighty is worshipped in "SivaVishnu Swaroopam".        

       Apart from the Adi Thavasu festival, Chithra and Sankaranarayanar festivals, Sivarathri and Navarathri are also celebrated in the temple.

             
There are many wooden carvings on the temple’s massive doors, car and towers. Each square on the main doors is designed as a palanquin with beautiful images of the God and Goddess.