Friday, November 17, 2017

Neelakandeswarar Temple, Kalkulam, Kanyakumari

Neelakandeswarar Temple, Kalkulam, Kanyakumari
Neelakandeswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Kalkulam near Padmanabhapuram in Kanyakumari District of Tamilnadu. The temple is a part of the famed Shivalaya Ottam conducted during Shivaratri. It is the seventh temple in the run sequence. Presiding Deity is called as Neelakandeswarar / Mahadevar. Mother is called as Ananthavalli. In architecture as well as in rituals, the temple is different to the other Sivalayams in the area.






Legends
Sage Vyakarapadhar visited this place and worshipped Lord Shiva here.


History
This town was the capital of the erstwhile Tiruvidangur state. The kings who ruled from this town and the other kings like Thirumalai Nayakar have done lots of service to this temple. The shrine is believed to have been built during the rule of Marthanda Varma. Tirumala Nayakar installed the Goddess in the shrine. Situated very close to Padmanabhapuram, the erstwhile capital of Travancore, the temple is believed to have been a sanctum of worship for the rulers.


Kalkulam was among several in Thiruvananthapuram district that with the passage of the States Reorganization Act of 1956 were transferred from Thiruvananthapuram district, Travancore-Cochin State to the newly created Kanyakumari District of Madras State (the latter later renamed as Tamil Nadu State).


The Temple
Presiding Deity is called as Neelakandeswarar / Mahadevar. Mother is called as Ananthavalli. This temple is the only temple in the twelve Shivalaya Ottam Temples where there is a big gopuram (tower). And also it is the only temple in the twelve where there is an exclusive Sanctum for Goddess. This temple is a mixture of both Tamilnadu and Keralite styles of temples. Every year, there is a tank festival in the temple tank. The huge gopuram has sculpted figures adorning it. The stone mandapam, various carvings in the shrine, the golden Kodimaram, the vast temple pond enhances the beauty of the shrine.






Temple Opening Time
The Temple remains open from 5.00 AM to 11.00 AM and 5.00 PM to 8.00 PM.
Festivals
·        Shivaratri
·        Thiruvadirai
·        Margazhi festival
·        Navaratri Utsavam
·        Vijayadasami Theppam
·        Panguni Uthiram Peruvizha
·        Thirukalyanam
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 600 meters from Padmanabhapuram Palace, 4 Kms from Kumaracoil, 2 Kms from Padmanabhapuram, 23 Kms from Vilavancode, 15 Kms from Marthandam, 19 Kms from Kuzhithurai, 14 Kms from Thiruvattaru, 13 Kms from Nattalam, 3 Kms from Thuckalay, 14 Kms from Colachel, 14 Kms from Nagercoil, 6 Kms from Eraniel, 40 Kms from Kanyakumari and 60 Kms from Thiruvananthapuram. Thuckalay is well connected to other parts of the state by road. Buses, autos, taxis are available from Thuckalay to the temple. Buses and Taxis also ply from Kulasekharam, Marthandam Nagercoil etc. Nearest Railway Station is located at Eraniel and Nearest Airport is located at Thiruvananthapuram.