Chekkadi Sastha Temple, Thirunelveli
Chekkadi
Sastha Temple is located in Thirunelveli Town near Nellaiyappar Temple. Between
Nellai Appar Sannidhi and Gandhimadhi Amman Sannidhi there is a small lane near
Saraswathi Ambal Temple. If you go through that lane you will find Chekkadi Sastha
Temple (Lord Aiyappan with Poornaa, Pushkala). It is one of the ancient temples
in the town. This Sastha temple has a great significance and antiquity same as
that of Nellaiyappar temple.
Once
this temple was popular with all the three – Moorthy, Sthalam and Theertham but
today just the temple complex alone remains. Sastha gave Dharshan to Sage
Agasthiyar. It is one of the biggest forms of Sastha in about 5.5 feet height.
As a unique feat, Sastha has his right leg raised and has the sendu in left
hand. In a hurry to give Dharshan to Sage Agasthiyar, it is said that he has
interchanged his legs position. Agasthiyar is seen in front of Sastha.
