Temple info -3850. Bhoothalingaswamt Temple, Boothapandi, Kanyakumari. பூதலிங்கஸ்வாமி கோயில், பூதபாண்டி,கன்யாகுமரி
Temple info -3850
கோயில் தகவல்- 3850
Bhoothalingaswamy Temple, Boothapandi, Kanyakumari
Bhoothalingaswamy Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Boothapandi, headquarters of Thovalai Taluk in Kanyakumari District of Tamilnadu. Boothapandi sits on the western bank of the river Pazhaiyar, at the foot of the hill known as Thadakaimalai, considered to be the abode of Thadagai in the Ramayana. It forms a place of legendary importance. The presiding deity is called Bhoothalingaswamy. Mother is called as Sivagami Amman.
The temple is located at the spot where Rama quelled Thadagai. The Travancore Manual says that Boothapandi is an ancient place founded by one of the Pandya sovereigns and vague traditions are preserved in the Keralopathi and Kerala Mahatmiyam wherein the Pandiya invasion of Kerala is referred in a mythical form. The temple was constructed by the King Pasum Pon Pandyan who is the son of Boothapandiyan.
Legends
Discover more
Saliyar Kanda Thirumeni:
Bhoothalinga Swamy is named as Saliyar Kanda Thirumeni. Long ago, Boothapandi was a little forest surrounded with bushes and trees. A man who belonged to the caste of Saliyar had four cows and sent the cows to the forest every morning for their food and run them back to home at evening. Among the cows one did not give milk to the man daily. The man thought a hawker draw his cow’s milk daily. He followed the cow the next day. He saw that the cow went to a long grass bush and drew its milk automatically.
He was shocked to see this, and cut the bushes with an iron cutter. He was shocked that the iron cutter was full of blood. He was scared by that and called all the people. Together they removed the bushes and they saw a lord Siva sculpture created by Suyambuligam (Saliyar Kanda Thirumeni). Then the Pandya king ruled that area built a temple for Shiva and it became the Bhoothalingaswamy temple. The temple is Kudavarai Kovil (built inside rock).
Lord Rama quelled Thadagai:
As per mythological stories the temple is located at the spot where Rama quelled Thadagai.
Parasurama defeated army of Bhuthatans:
The Mahatmiyam says that the Pandyas invaded Kerala with an army of Bhuthatans (spirits) and they were defeated by Parasurama, the warrior sage. The boundary of Kerala and Pandya kingdoms was fixed at Boothapandi as a compromise.
History
The cave temple has been named after the presence of Bhoothalingaswamy Temple, famous for its sculptures and architecture. The cave temple was excavated by King Pasum Pon Pandyan, the son of Boothapandiyan, Flag post of this temple is very tall and the temple car here is very old and higher in weight.
The Temple
Discover more
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 is situated at the foot of the hill known as Thadakaimalai which is considered to be the abode of Thadagai in Ramayana. The temple faces east and there is a tank with a small Mandapa on the northern side. The presiding deity is called Bhoothalingaswamy. The 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 Ardhamandapam and Mahamandapam were only 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. Aditya, Subramanian with valli and Deivanai, Sandikeswarar are other deities of the temple.
Discover more
Outside the prakaram(outer courtyard), anyone will be allowed pooja to the Kasi Viswanathar and Ulagayanayagi. Sthala Vriksham is Vilwa Tree. The cave temple is excavated on the eastern slope of the side of the hillock situated in the middle of the village. This temple comprises of an outer prakara, inner prakara and the main cave with a frontward pillared mandapam constituting a large complex. The rock cut cave forms nucleus structure around which temple structures added in the subsequent period of time. Altogether forming the large temple complex.
A large perimeter wall in the periphery encloses the outer prakara. The temple is accessible from four entrances. The western entrance is through three tier gopuram or gateway. The gopuram has granite base and three-tiered brick super-structure decorated with stucco images. The pillars, supporting base tier of the gopuram, bear images of the donors (of the temple) appear in folded hand gesture (mudra) On the west face of the tower there are two guards in stucco images appear holding small and large clubs in each of their hands
On top of the boulder towards east of this tower, there are two stucco images: one is a milking cow and the other one is Lord Shiva with trident. 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 Pazhayaru. 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. On the western side to the left of the entrance of the outer prakara adjoining the rock slope is the shrine for Sastha. There is a Pillaiyar shrine under the tree. The inner perimeter wall encloses the sanctums of the prime deity, goddess Sivakami, shrines for minor deities, mandapams and inner prakara. The parts of the inner southern and northern walls sit on the rock. There are three entrances leading to the inner prakara: One entrance on the southern wall, other two entrances on the eastern and northern walls.
The eastern entrance leads to sanctum of the goddess Sivakami. Another entrance with single tier gopuram leads to the prime sanctum. The southern entrance leads to Pazhayaru river. This entrance is supported by adishtanam, pillars with square, kattu, square sections, vettu-potikas and prastara components. The ornamental arch houses the celestial wedding event: Lord Vishnu handing-over goddess Meenakshi to Lord Sundareswarar.
The inner prakara extends on all three sides except the rocky western side. The inner prakara includes sanctums of god and goddess as well as shrines for minor deities i.e., Kanni Vinayagar, Sastha and Somaskandar. Somaskanda shrine has sanctum and mukha-mandapam and vimana with nagara Griva and shikhara. Sastha shrine has eka-tala nagara vimana and sanctum guarded by Dwarapalakas (boothas). Kanni Vinayagar shrine has eka-tala Vesara vimana and sanctum and mukha-mandapam. Chandikeswara shrine and Dakshina Murti shrine are located on the north and south side prakara of the prime deity.
The inner prakara extends on all three sides except the rocky western side. The inner prakara includes sanctums of god and goddess as well as shrines for minor deities i.e., Kanni Vinayagar, Sastha and Somaskandar. Somaskanda shrine has sanctum and mukha-mandapam and vimana with nagara Griva and shikhara. Sastha shrine has eka-tala nagara vimana and sanctum guarded by Dwarapalakas (boothas). Kanni Vinayagar shrine has eka-tala Vesara vimana and sanctum and mukha-mandapam. Chandikeswara shrine and Dakshina Murti shrine are located on the north and south side prakara of the prime deity.
A beautiful piece of art in the temple lies in the wooden Kalyanamedai the Mandapa. It has been made so skillfully that the joints are invisible. The Medai contains numerous multi-colored images. a Srichakkram is engraved on the panel of pillar in the Kalyanamantapa. There is no inner prakaram for both the shrines. On the south west corner of the common Prakaram of the shrines is Vinayaga who is locally called “Ninaithathai Mudikkum Vinayakar”.
Two mandapams are located before the sanctums of god and goddess and they are known as wedding mandapam and Chettiar mandapam. The wedding hall is supported by ornate pillars with bas relief sculptures. Some are simple pillars sectioned by square kattu and square and some other pillars are composite pillars. The cupid or Kamadeva Manmatha and his love Rathi images appear on a pillar. The Chettiar Hall is also supported by ornate pillars with bas relief sculptures. Some are huge Yali pillars.
The mukha-mandapam and large mandapams were added before the cave sanctum of the prime deity during later age. The mukha-mandapam has supportive floor, wall supported by square pilasters, taranga potikas and prastara components. Kapota has ornate kudus. The large mandapam can be accessed through entrances at east and south walls. Mandapam is supported by square kattu square kattu square pillars with vettu potikas. The bronze idols are protected in this mandapam. The Vinayaka idol in lalitasana posture is found in the inner mandapam.
Sivagami Amman Shrine:
The east facing Sivagami Amman shrine has a two tier vimana, mukha-mandapam and large mandapam. The vimana, built on a granite base with a brick superstructure, has a kapota banda adhishtana and the vedika component is shown in between the adhishtana and pada (wall). The octagonal (Vishnu-kanta) pilasters with nagabandha pada support the roof. The potikas above the pillars are madalai with nanudal tipped with sharp bud bearing the prastara components that adjoin the roof. The three sides of the external walls are sectioned and shown as simple koshta-panjara. The Adi-tala hara walls have been raised considerably high and the second tala also has hara walls. The stucco images adorn in sala and griva koshtas.
Cave Sanctum:
The Cave sanctum is 1.71 m in the north-south direction; 1.38 m in the east-west (south wall) direction; 1.46 m in the east-west (north wall) direction; with the height of 1.73 m. The floor, roof and the walls of the cave sanctum are well formed. The sanctum entrance is 0.67 cm in width and 1.60 m in height. The sanctum houses Bhoothalingaswamy in the form of Shivalingam. Shivalingam is sculpted out of the mother rock and the rectangular 'Avudai' measures 0.80 cm in length in the north-south; 0.75 cm in width in the east-west directions and 0.52 cm in height.
The external faces of Avudai is embellished with padabandha adhishtana with components such as jagadi, vritta Kumudam, khanta flanked kampa and pattaka mouldings. The Rudra (cylindrical) bana sits on the square Avudai. A small pit is shown towards north to receive the anointed water. A water chute is seen running up to the north wall of the sanctum and continued in the east wall of the sanctum.
Inscriptions
Kanyakumari District Inscriptions volume 5 Chennai, Department of Archaeology Government of Tamil Nadu, 1969 pp. 69 - 81 has published eleven inscriptions copied from this temple as well as two inscriptions from North street of this village. The first inscription located nearer to Jeeva library cites two streets in the name of Udhaya Marthandan and Boothala Raman an asylum to someone under threat also known as Abhaya Dhanam (Jainism) or Anjinan Pukalidam. Another inscription dated 19th day Tamil month Thai 1691 A.D. was inscribed on behalf of Adi Chandeswara endowment. The inscription is about Vadakku Saliyar, weaving community people (Padmasali), who lived in this village during 17th century A.D. They migrated to Vadaseri (near Nagercoil) after lot of suffering and they were colonized back in Boothapandi village.
Inscription dated Tamil month Masi, year 1789 cites the installation of flag-post in this temple. Another inscription on the pillar of Nandi Mandapam records one Thanumarthandan. Remaining nine inscriptions are inscribed on the walls of goddess Sivakami (Amman) shrine. Inscription dated 1578 A.D. records the gift of 25 numbers of five wick oil lamps standing on their stems and pedestals, fabricated in brass by one Ayyappan Pariyerum Perumal of Boothapandi village. The lamps would be burnt before the prime deity. It also includes land endowments for daily oil consumption. The gift was accepted by Sri Karyam (temple) staff. Signed by Puttur Eswaran, Sri Karyam (temple) accountant, Kannan Govindan, Treasury accountant and Bootha Nambiyar, Endowment accountant.
Inscription dated 1581 A.D. records the assurance made by Sri Karyam staff to offer one measure of ghee and ten bananas and arrange for the celestial dance of prime deity during pooja rituals every month on the Apara (Pitru) Paksham, Ashtami (eighth) tithi day. For this purpose, the staff accepted one hundred 'panam' as deposit from one Kali-paappan of Perumanguli Desam in Mudala Nadu district, forming part of Malai Mandalam province. Another inscription dated 1581 A.D. records the land endowment for pooja rituals and offerings to the prime deity on the Vasantham day, Tamil month Chithirai by one Eswaran Kesavan of Makizhanjeru house in Kadaikkasu Desam. Inscription also cites places like Azhagiya Pandiyapuram, Kadukkarai, Pallacha Peru and Veeraneri Kulam.
Inscription dated 1583 A.D. records the deposit of two hundred 'panam' made for pooja rituals of Lord Dakshina Murti by Pasumpirathu Gangaiyadi Bhattar of Azhagan Azhaga Chaturvedimangalam of Padmanabhanallur. Yet another inscription dated 1607 A.D. records the deposit of three hundred 'panam' for purposes of early morning rituals, ablution and offerings to the prime deity in the name of one Sooranai Vendra Adittan of Padmanabha Nallur aka Murungur of Nanjil Nadu. Incomplete inscription dated 1614 A.D. records the deposit of seven hundred 'panam' for purposes of pooja rituals and offerings for procession deity Lord Chandrasekharar during new-moon day procession by one Velayudha Perumal of Mulainallur in Nanjil Nadu. Mentions the temple staff and their specific duties during procession as well as minor deities.
Another inscription dated 1618 A.D. records the deposit / gift of nine hundred 'panam' for purposes of procession of prime deity and goddess on 'Bharani' star day in Tamil month 'Chithirai' by Settu Silaiyan Ariyakutti, a resident of Tiruvidangur Ravi-varmar (aka. Kulasekara Perumal) street. Specific expenses include feeding the brahmins, Maheswara pooja rituals, rice flakes, Nambimar Adangal, Sala Sambavinai, Namimar Tantra Salavu, evening ablution, camphor etc. Inscription dated 1658 A.D. records the royal order issued by Elder Thambiran Eraivai Ravivarma, during his stay in the palace of Boothapandi after pooja rituals of the temple. The royal order is in consideration of peasant’s plea on vacating stay of land charges vs the defense side representation made by the revenue staff. Inscription without date lists out the offerings made by the temple authorities to the Pooja rituals of Lord Chidambareswarar during the Tamil month Margazhi.
Temple Opening Time
The Temple remains open from 4:00 A.M. – 11:00 A.M. in the mornings and 4:00 P.M. to 7:30 P.M. in the evenings.
Festivals
Pradosham (13th tithi) Day, Special pooja on New Moon & Full moon days. Annual festival on Thai (Tamil) month and Chithirai (Tamil) month are the important festivals celebrated in this temple with much fanfare. Yearly in the month of Thai (Tamil calendar month from the mid of January to the mid of February), Thai (Tamil month), all members in Boothapandi and its surrounding members allot a committee to celebrate a car festival. It runs for ten days.
Daily at night there is kacheri, Orchestra, Bharatham dance by kids, Light arrangement around four streets (rathaveethy). Fourth day and seventh day Thiruvila is a great moment with elephants, Horse Bhavani, Singari melam, Muthu Kodai Bhavani. There are Kolam competitions for all women and girls around streets. The ninth day is Therottam where three cars are decorated by garlands and the lord Bhoothalinga Swamy is kept in the big car, Ganapathy and Amman are in the small car.
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 2 Kms from Thittuvilai Bus Terminal, 13 Kms from Nagercoil, 38 Kms from Kanyakumari, 22 Kms from Vadakankulam, 13 Kms from Thovalai, 11 Kms from Aralvaimozhi, 18 Kms from Suchindram, 27 Kms from Colachel, 21 Kms from Thuckalay, 20 Kms from Eraniel and 83 Kms from Thiruvananthapuram.
By Road:
The Temple is located at about 2 Kms from Thittuvilai Bus Terminal. From Nagercoil Vadachery bus terminus 4A,4B,4G,318,4B buses will go to Boothapandi. Bhootha Linga Swamy temple is in the walkable distance from the Bus Stop. The route to reach the place from the District Capital Nagercoil is Nagercoil – Vadaseri – Putheri – Erachakulam – Easanthimangalam – Thuvarancaud – Boothapandi.
By Train:
Nearest Railway Stations located near to the Temple are Thovalai (14 Kms), Nagercoil (13 Kms) and Aralvaimozhi (11 Kms).
By Air:
Nearest Airport is located at Thiruvananthapuram (86 Kms).
Thanks Ilamurugan’s blog
அருள்மிகு பூதலிங்கசாமி திருக்கோவில்
பூதபாண்டி, கன்னியாகுமரி மாவட்டம்
சுவாமி : பூதலிங்கசாமி.
அம்பாள் : சிவகாமி அம்பாள்.
மூர்த்தி : நினைத்ததை முடிக்கும் விநாயகர், கன்னி விநாயகர், சுப்ரமணிய சுவாமி, மகிழமுடைய சாஸ்தா, சண்டீகேஸ்வரர், தக்ஷிணாமூர்த்தி.
தலவிருட்சம் : வில்வம் மரம்.
தலச்சிறப்பு : இங்கு சிவன் சுயம்பு லிங்கமாக காட்சி தருகிறார். நினைத்ததை முடிக்கும் விநாயகர் பெருமானுக்கு தனிக்கோவில் உள்ளது. சுப்ரமணிய சுவாமிக்கும் சாஸ்தாவிற்க்கும் தனிச் சன்னதி உள்ளது. இது ஒரு குகைவரைக் கோவில். ஒரே கல்லினால் ஆன சங்கிலி உள்ளது. உயரமான கொடி மரம் உள்ள கோவில், எடை அதிகம் உடைய தேர் உள்ளது, கோவில் உள்ளே தேர் வலம் வரும். பூதபாண்டியில் இருந்து 5 கி.மீ தொலைவில் ஔவையாருக்கு தனிக்கோவில் உள்ளது.
தல வரலாறு : பாண்டிய மன்னர்களால் கட்டப்பட்டது. சுமார் 500-600 வருடங்களுக்கு முன் கட்டப்பட்டது. தாடகை மலை (இராமாயணத்தில் ராமன் தாடகையை வதம் செய்த இடம்) முகப்பில் கோவில் உள்ளது. ஔரங்கசிப் காலத்தில் இங்குள்ள மன்மதன் சிலை உடைக்கப்பட்டது. தராசு மூலம் பரிகாரம் நிறைவேற்றப்படும்.
நடைதிறப்பு: காலை 4.00 மணி முதல் 11.00 வரை மாலை 4.00 மணி முதல் இரவு 7.30 மணி வரை.
பூஜை விவரம் :
பௌர்ணமி விசேச பூஜை,
பிரதோஷ வழிபாடு,
அமாவசை கிரிவலம் சிறப்பில் ஒன்று.
திருவிழாக்கள் :
தை பெருந்திருவிழா,
சித்திரை பெருந்திருவிழா.
அருகிலுள்ள நகரம் : நாகர்கோவில்.
நிர்வாகம் : இந்து சமய அறநிலையத்துறை.
கோயில் முகவரி : பூதலிங்கசாமி திருக்கோவில்,
பூதபாண்டி, நாகர்கோவில், கன்னியாகுமரி மாவட்டம் .
Comments
Post a Comment