Wednesday, January 18, 2017

Kathirkama Baladhandayuthapani Temple, Kaivilancheri, Sirkazhi, Nagapattinam

Kathirkama Baladhandayuthapani Temple, Kaivilancheri, Sirkazhi, Nagapattinam
Kathirkama Baladhandayuthapani Temple is dedicated to Hindu God Murugan located at Kaivilancheri Village near Sirkazhi Town in Nagapattinam District of Tamilnadu. This is the only Muruga temple in Tamilnadu that uses mangoes for the archana of Lord.

Legends
Places where great souls lived in penance with their thoughts settled with the Supreme Being become sacred after their life time. They offer boons to their devotees. One such great saint was Kathirkama Swamigal in Kaivilancheri in Sirkali. He had his initiation at the age of 12 from his Holiness Gnananandagiri Swamigal, stayed with him in Kathirkamam in Sri Lanka for quite a number of years. Returning to Tamilnadu, he built this temple with the alms he got from devotees. He used the water of Uppu River for the abishekam of Lord which was very salty. Surprisingly, the water became very sweet in due course after it began to be used for the abishek of Lord Muruga.  
The Temple
The presiding deity is praised as Kathirkama Baladhandayuthapani. The temple is a little off from the main road facing west. This is the only Muruga temple in Tamilnadu that uses mangoes for the archana of Lord. The temple is facing west. A Yantra is installed under the peeta of the presiding deity. This is praised as Jal Yantra. It is ever revolving. Next to the colourful entrance of the temple, there lies Mani Mandapam and Mahamandapam. Lord Chintamani Vinayaka graces the devotees at the centre of the Maha Mandapam adored with a Prayer Deepa (Prarthana Deepa), Peeta and Peacock.  

Presiding deity Lord Kathirkama Baladhandayuthapani graces the devotees from the sanctum sanctorum accompanied by Lord Chitrambala Vinayaka and Lord Perambala Vinayaka with all smile. Naalvar – celebrated four Saivite Saints, Gnanasambandar, Tirunavukkarasar, Sundarar and Manickavasagar – and Arunagiri Nathar are in their separate shrines. On the northern side are the shrines of Lord Nataraja and Mother Sivakami and Lord Venugopala Krishnan. Festival deity of Lord Muruga is housed in a separate shrine. The temple had been consecrated recently.

Temple Opening Time
The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 10 a.m. and from 4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Festivals
The temple celebrates with elaborate grandeur Aipasi Skanda Sashti in October-November lasting six days.108 Milk pot abishek is offered to Lord Muruga on the Panguni Uthiram festival in March-April. Mango Archana is dedicated to Lord on the Vaikasi Visakam star day in May - June, and the fruits are offered as Prasad to devotees. Aval (Flakes) Payasam is the nivedhana to Lord on monthly Sashti days. Saravana Homa is performed on monthly Kruthika star days.
Prayers
Devotees pray to Lord for wedding and child boon, success in court cases, opportunity for foreign jobs and unity in families. Realizing their wishes, devotees light 155 deepas in the peeta set in the Mahamandapam.
Contact
Kathirkama Baladhandayuthapani Temple,
Kaivilancheri – 609111,
Sirkazhi, Nagapattinam District
Mobile: +91 98655 56488
Connectivity
Kaivilancheri is 1 km far from the new bus stand in Sirkali on the road to Mayiladuthurai. Nearest Railway Station is located at Sirkali and Nearest Airport is located at Trichy.