*History of the Temple : **The temple is said to have constructed by Pasum Pon Pandyan king somewhere between 25AD to 50AD in the name of his father. The temple has a Swayambhu Linga. The temple is situated at the foot of the hill known as Thadakaimalai **which is considered to be the abode of Thadakai in Ramayana. This temple faces the east and there is a tank with a small mandapa on the northern side. The presiding deity is called Bhoothalingaswamy. The sanctum sanctorum of the temple is a crude cell excavated on the eastern face of a huge irregular mass of rock. The Linga is also carved in the same rock. There is no Vimana over this shrine. The Ardhamandapa and Mahamandapa were later additions. The rock is grit round by a thick stonewall which gives it the appearance of a minor fort. On the right side of entrance to the sanctum is the image of Vinayak and the image of Nandi is in front of the linga. On the right side of Nandi facing south is Nataraja with Sivakami ambal. Adithyan, Subramanian with valli and Deyvanai, Sandikeswarar are other deities of the temple.Outside the prakaram (outer courtyard), anyone will be allowed pooja to Kasi Viswanathar and Ulagayanayagi. Besides the Bhuthalingaswamy is a separate shrine dedicated to sivakami ambal for which there is a small vimana above the shrine. KR IRS 29725*
On Mon, 28 Jul 2025 at 19:20, 'gopala krishnan' via Thatha_Patty < [email protected]> wrote: > BHOOTHALINGASWAMY TEMPLE, BHOOTHAPANDI, KANYAKUMARI DISTRICT-TAMILNADU- > Compiled > > Dear friends, > > Today my posting is about the Bhoothalingaswamy Temple located at > Boothapandi, in the Kanyakumari district, dedicated to the deity Lord > Shiva and notable for its ancient architecture and religious significance. > It serves as the headquarters of the Thovalai taluk and is situated 7 km > (4.3 mi) northeast of the village Nagercoil, which is positioned on the > western bank of the River Pazhaiyar, at the foot of the hill known as > Thadagai Malai, which is widely believed by Hindus to be the abode of Thadakai > in the Ramayana, thus adding to its religious importance. > > According to the *Travancore Manual, Boothapandi is "an ancient palace > founded by one of the Pandya sovereigns*". Vague traditions are preserved > in the Keralopathi and Kerala Mahatmiyam, where the *Pandya invasion of > Kerala is referred to mythically. * > > The Mahatmiyam narrates a tale of the Pandyas invading Kerala with an army > of Bhuthatans (spirits), eventually defeated by Parasurama, the warrior > sage. As a result of this conflict, the boundary between Kerala and > Pandya kingdoms was repaired at Boothapandi as a compromise. A later > interpretation of the Parasurama legend suggests that it symbolically > represents the advent of the Aryans into Kerala. > > Bhoothapandi is famous for the Nanchilnadu paddy cultivation just like > Kuttanad in Kerala. Before linguistic formation, the Nagerkovil district > was part of Kerala. Later it became Kanyakumari District. > > *While working in Nagerkovil Telecom as SG Junior Engineer, Bhoothapandi > exchange was under my jurisdiction.* > > Hope a divine reading. > > Gopalakrishnan 28-07-2025. > > History and legend > > The Bhoothalingaswamy Temple is said to have been constructed by King > Pasum Pon Pandiyan, the son of Boothapandiyan. > > The presiding deity of the temple is the Swyambu Lingam, also known as > Salian Kanda Thirumani. In the 17th century, members of the Saliyar caste > lived in the town. According to a local legend, one of the community > members discovered his cow being milked by an unknown individual. To > investigate, he followed the cow and found *it discharging milk on a > bush.* In a fit of anger, he destroyed the bush, revealing a stone idol > beneath it. Upon slashing the idol, it started to bleed, which astounded > the man. As a result, the decision was made to construct a temple for the > stone idol, now known as Lord Shiva, hence earning the name Salian Kanda > Thirumani for the deity. This legend has been passed down through > generations and adds to the temple's cultural significance. > > In response to this miraculous finding, the king decided to construct a > temple dedicated to Lord Siva, which later became known as the > Bhoothalingaswamy Temple. This temple is of a type known as "Kudaivarai > Kovil," meaning it was built inside a rock. > > The temple's rich history and the story of its origin have been cherished > by the people of Bhoothapandi for generations, adding to its cultural > significance and religious importance. > > Structure of the temple > > The temple is east-facing and is located in Boothapandi. It is positioned > on the eastern face of a large irregular rock, where a cell serves as the > sanctum for the presiding deity, Unlike traditional temples, this shrine > does not have a vimana over it. > > The temple complex features a tank with a small Mandapa on its northern > side. A thick stone wall surrounds the rock, and later additions of the > ardhamandapa and mahamandapa contribute to the temple's architecture. > > Upon entering the sanctum, devotees will find the image of Vinayak > (Ganesha) on the right side and the image of Nandi in front of the linga. > On the right side of Nandi, facing south, there is an idol of Nataraja > along with Sivakami Ambal. > > Other deities present in the temple include Adithyan, Subramanian with > Valli and Deivanai, and chandikeswarar. > > Outside the prakaram (outer courtyard), visitors are allowed to perform > pooja to Kasi Viswanathar and Ulagayanayagi. Additionally, there is a > separate shrine dedicated to Sivakami Ambal, which features a small > vimana above it, adding to the spiritual significance of the temple. > > Sculptures > > The Bhoothalingaswamy Temple has a range of sculptures, including the > front of the Sivakami Ambal shrine. Notably, the sculptures of Kamadeva > (Manmathan) and Rathi are particularly detailed. The chain is made > entirely from stone. > > One aspect of the temple's sculptures relates to the depiction of a > significant > event from the Ramayana. According to the epic, Lord Rama killed Vaali > from behind. When viewed from the front, an observer can see the image of > Rama behind Vaali. However, when standing in front of Vaali's image, Rama's > image remains hidden. > > Another art piece found in the temple is the wooden Manamedai (for > weddings) within the Mandapa. This piece has been crafted so that the > joints are invisible. The Kalyanamedai contains numerous multi-colored > images. > > *In the Kalyanamandapam, a Srichakram is engraved on the panel of a > pillar, symbolizing the spiritual significance and worship of the divine > feminine energy.* > > The temple's architectural layout does not include an inner prakaram for > both the shrines. However, on the southwest corner of the common prakaram > of the shrines, one can find the deity Vinayaga, who is locally known as > "Ninaithathai > Mudikkum Vinayakar," signifying the auspicious beginning and blessing > seekers with good thoughts. > > There are two entrances on the south wall. The westward entrance arch on > the south wall is decorated with stucco image of Lord Shiva with consort > Uma in Ananda-thandava posture. Also there are two musicians on either side > of dancing Shiva. The eastward entrance on the south wall leads to the > river Pazhaiyaru. The simple entrance on the eastern wall is located before > the sanctum of the prime deity. The entrance on the northern wall leads > to the temple tank with a mandapam in middle . > > Deities > > Main Deity : Bhootha Linga Swamy. > > Ambal : Sivagami Ambal. > > Other Deities : Subramanya Swamy, Maghizhamudaya Sastha, Chandeekeswarar, > Dakshinamoorthy, Kanni Vinayagar, Ninathathai Mudikkum Vinayagar, > > Temple Tree : Vilva Tree (Aegle Marmeolus). > > Poojas > > In the Bhoothalingaswamy temple, Nagercoil, the priests of the temple, who > are typically Brahmins, perform the poojas Here's a more detailed look: > > Regular Poojas: The temple conducts daily poojas, including Pradosham, a > special time for Shiva worship. > > Special Poojas: Special poojas are performed on New Moon and Full Moon > days. > > Car Festival > > Yearly, during the month of Tai (Tamil calendar month from the mid of > January to the mid of February), the people of Bhuthapandy and its > surrounding areas come together to celebrate a car festival. The festival > spans ten days and involves various activities and events. > > Each year, a committee is formed to organize and oversee the festivities. > Throughout the ten days, the celebration comes alive with a vibrant > atmosphere and a sense of unity among the community members. The festival's > nightly events include katcheri (musical performances), orchestra, and > Bharatham dance competitions performed by children, adding entertainment > and cultural enrichment to the festivities. > > As part of the celebrations, the streets are adorned with light > arrangements, creating an ambiance around the four streets (rathaveethi). The > fourth and seventh days of the festival are particularly significant as they > witness the grand Thiruvizha (procession). During this time, there are > processions featuring elephants, the Horse Bhavani, Siringari melam > (traditional percussion music), and Muthu kodai Bhavani. > > The festival also includes various competitions, such as Rangoli (Kolam) > competitions for women and girls. > > The ninth day of the festival is called Therottam, which is a highlight of > the celebration. On this day, three cars are adorned with garlands and > decorations. The main attraction is the big car, which carries the idol of > Lord Bhoothalinga Swamy. Additionally, smaller cars hold the idols of Lord > Ganapathy and Amman (Goddess Parvathi). The procession marks a significant > moment of devotion and reverence. > > Temple Timings : > > Morning 4:00 A.M. – 11:00 A.M. Evening 4:00 P.M. to 7:30 P.M. > > How to reach the temple > > The route to reach the place from the District Capital Nagercoil is > Nagercoil - Vadasery - Putheri - Erachakulam - Easanthimangalam > -Thuvarancaud - Bhoothapandi (totalling nine kilometres). From Nagercoil > Vadassery bus terminus 4A,4B,4G,318,4B buses will go to Bhoothappandi. > Bhootha linga swamy temple is in the walkable distance from the bus stand. > > Prominence of the Shrine : > > Major Sarkar Devaswom; At this temple Lord Shiva is in swayambu form. If > you wish something and pray to the Lord Ganesha here that will happen. There > is a dedicated Sannidhi for Ganesha, Subrahmanya Swamy and Sastha. This > temple is constructed inside the cave. There is huge chain made up of > single stone. Flag Pole at this temple is very tall and the Temple car > here is very old and high weight. > > Pooja Details : > > Pradosham, Special poojas on Full moon (Pournami) & No moon (Ammavasai) > days. > > Wow Factor > > The temple is located at the spot where Rama quelled Thadagai. There is a > huge chain at this temple which is made up of single stone. > > Flag pole t at this temple is very tall and the Temple car here is very old > and high weight. There is a dedicated temple for Tamil Poet Avvaiyar > located at 5 KMs from Bhootha linga Swamy temple. > > As per mythological stories the temple is located at the spot where Rama > killed Thadagai. > > Address of the temple > > Bhoothalingaswamy Temple, Bhoothappandi, Nagercoil, Kanyakumari Dt. > Tamilnadu > > > > How to get there? > > > > The town of Boothapandi is connected to Nagercoil by road. > > Nearest railway station: The closest railway station is the Nagercoil > Junction Railway Station. > > Nearest airport is the Thiruvananthapuram International airport > > > > > > -- > 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 [email protected]. > To view this discussion visit > https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/1852752143.2621272.1753710646077%40mail.yahoo.com > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/1852752143.2621272.1753710646077%40mail.yahoo.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > . > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Thatha_Patty" group. 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