The one and only thing that any Hindu visiting a temple expects to receive is the prasada in the form of vibuti, kumkum, holy water etc. To him or her these represent the blessings of the Lord, considered to be received from Him, directly. In many temples, the prasada is considered to be the panacea for all ills. It is faith that moves mountains. Devotees receive prasada most reverently. In fact, a visit to the temple is not fulfilled without receiving it. The nature of the prasada would vary from temple to temple, in accordance with the presiding deity. In Saivaite temples where the Lord presides the vibuti is distributed and in temples where Devi presides kumkum is distributed. In Vaishnavite temples, the holy water and tulasi leaf are distributed as prasada.
The prasada from Sankara Narayanan Temple in Sankaran Koil in Tirunelveli is something very different. It is a temple that signifies the unity of both Saivism and Vaishnavism. The sand particles from the putru in the temple, known as putru mann is distributed as prasada to the devotees. A putru is an anthill originally formed by ants and after sometime serpents occupies it. It is believed that this cures many diseases and devotees throng the temple for it.
The legend
The area was once ruled by king Ukkrapandiya, who was a devotee of Lord Shiva. He used to frequently visit Madurai for a darshan of Lord Sundareswara. He had constructed an underground secret passage to enable his visits to the temple in Madurai. The Lord appeared in his dream one night and told him that he need not come all the way to Madurai for his darshan. ‘Just clear the anthill in the in the area and you will find my idol.’ The king did so and found Sankaralingam with twin serpents for a canopy. King Ukkrapandiya then constructed a temple around the Lingam and worshipped the Lord under the name Sankara Nayinar (or Narayanan).
The two serpents behind Sankaralingam are known as Sanga and Padma who were kings of Nagaloka.
One was the devotee of Lord Shiva and the other was the devotee of Vishnu and they spent most of their time in heated arguments of the supremacy of the Lord whom each worshipped. Lord Shiva was annoyed at their frequent bickering and sent them to the earth, and asked them to wait for some time to know and understand the truth. And on the day specified, He appeared before Sanga and Padma and convinced them that both Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu are the manifestations of one and the same Supreme One.
The anthill or the serpent-hole is supposed to be occupied by the two kings of Cobras, Sanga and Padma. The sand from the serpent-hole distributed as prasada is believed to cure skin diseases, stomachache, dysentery etc., and also for scorpion and snakebites.
Naga Theertham
The prasada from Sankara Narayanan Temple in Sankaran Koil in Tirunelveli is something very different. It is a temple that signifies the unity of both Saivism and Vaishnavism. The sand particles from the putru in the temple, known as putru mann is distributed as prasada to the devotees. A putru is an anthill originally formed by ants and after sometime serpents occupies it. It is believed that this cures many diseases and devotees throng the temple for it.
The legend
The area was once ruled by king Ukkrapandiya, who was a devotee of Lord Shiva. He used to frequently visit Madurai for a darshan of Lord Sundareswara. He had constructed an underground secret passage to enable his visits to the temple in Madurai. The Lord appeared in his dream one night and told him that he need not come all the way to Madurai for his darshan. ‘Just clear the anthill in the in the area and you will find my idol.’ The king did so and found Sankaralingam with twin serpents for a canopy. King Ukkrapandiya then constructed a temple around the Lingam and worshipped the Lord under the name Sankara Nayinar (or Narayanan).
The two serpents behind Sankaralingam are known as Sanga and Padma who were kings of Nagaloka.
One was the devotee of Lord Shiva and the other was the devotee of Vishnu and they spent most of their time in heated arguments of the supremacy of the Lord whom each worshipped. Lord Shiva was annoyed at their frequent bickering and sent them to the earth, and asked them to wait for some time to know and understand the truth. And on the day specified, He appeared before Sanga and Padma and convinced them that both Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu are the manifestations of one and the same Supreme One.
The anthill or the serpent-hole is supposed to be occupied by the two kings of Cobras, Sanga and Padma. The sand from the serpent-hole distributed as prasada is believed to cure skin diseases, stomachache, dysentery etc., and also for scorpion and snakebites.
Naga Theertham
The temple pond of Sankara Nayinar temple is believed to possess unique and medicinal properties. It is mossy and green in colour and the reason for its colour is believed to be due to the naga-pashanam (snake venom) that it contains as an inherent property. It is to be noted that no amount of cleaning and desilting the tank helps to change the colour of the water and it continues to retain its original colour. The tank is known by the name Nagasuani. People stung by poisonous creatures take a holy dip in the tank for immediate relief.It is said that the presiding deity, Sankara Narayana, was installed by Adi Sankara, with Gomathi Ambal for His consort.
The temple is known for an architectural feat. The presiding deity has been so positioned that direct light from the sun falls on the idol at 6.00 a.m. on March 21, 22 and 23 and also on September 21, 22 and 23. The temple is situated in a very vast area of 36 acres and is in the heart of the town. It is nothing less than a wonder that light continues to fall on the deity on the above mentioned dates, even though several structures have been built around the temple, these days.
