Sankaran Kovil is a town in the Tirunelveli district, Tamil Nadu.  Sankaran Kovil situated around 56 km away from Thirunelveli City.  Sankaran Kovil is the second largest town in the district.  Nearest airports are at Madurai (125 KM).  Sankarankovil Railway station is on the Chennai Egmore –Sengottai line.   Pothigai Express is the daily service that connects Chennai with Sankarankovil.

Sankara Narayanan Temple

Sankaran Narayanan temple is very famous in Sankaran Kovil town.  The specialty of this temple is Lord Siva is in a posture of Arthanareeswarar, which is half – Lord Shiva and the other half – Lord Vishnu. Lord Shiva appeared as Sankaranarayanar to mark his devotees to understand that both Hari and Shiva are one and the same.

This temple was built by Ukira Pandiyan in AC 900. ‘Adi Thabasu’ festival is very famous festival in this temple.  The Deities of this temple are Sri Sankareswarar, Sri Gomathi Amman and Sri Sankara Narayanar.  The Puthu Maan (Holy Sand) in the temple is taken as holy sand which could cure lot of disease by all devotees.

Major Festivals

• Chiththirai Bramotsava (10 days) April.
• Adi thapasu festival (12 days) August.
• Iyppasi Thirukkalyanam festival (10 days) October.
• Theppam floating festival – February.

Paintings

Natural paintings are available in this temple walls, the sad part is now these paintings are slowly erasing.  Government should take prior action to save these beautiful paintings.

Special Maavilakku Pooja

Devotees devote the customary “Maavilakku” to Gomathi Amman in this temple, “Maavilakku” made from mixes of rice flour and jaggery with coconut water pours ghee and lights a “deepam” at the centre.  A very tasty offering, the “maavilakku” is offered to all family members and other devotees after the ritual.

Specialty in Sankaran Kovil

Biriyani is famous in Sankaran Kovil.

Photos