Sankara Narayana Swamy Temple, popularly known as Sankarankovil,
is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Vishnu – both the deities are worshipped in the
combined form known as Sankara Narayana Swamy. Sankarankovil Temple is 120 km
from Madurai, 30 km from Rajapalayam and 56 km from Tirunelveli in Tamil Nadu.
Legend has it that once Goddess Parvati asked Shiva to stop the fight among Shaiva and Vaishnava devotees. Shiva then appeared as Shankara Narayana Swamy.
Legend has it that once Goddess Parvati asked Shiva to stop the fight among Shaiva and Vaishnava devotees. Shiva then appeared as Shankara Narayana Swamy.
Legend has it that the murti worshipped in the shrine was
discovered by a king when his elephant accidently stamped on an ant hill.
The main murti worshipped in the shrine is in the form of a
Shivling. This is also the combined form of Shiva and Vishnu. Mother Goddess
Shakti is worshipped here as Gouthami.
The main subsidiary deities in the shrine are Ganesha,
Muruga, Nagas, and forms of Shiva and Goddess Shakti.
The holy tank in the shrine is known as Nagasunai. It was
dug by nagas. The water in the tank has curative properties.
The holy tree associated with the temple is Punnai.
People who are suffering from snake, scorpion and other insect bites find relief after wearing the ant hill soil found near the Mother Goddess Shrine here.
People having constant disturbance of snake, scorpion and
other poisonous insects in their house offers small sculptures of them in
silver to the shrine.
The temple is a classic example of Dravidian architecture. The
height of the Raja Gopuram is 125 feet. This gopuram has nine storeys.
Sunrays fall directly on the main murti in the sanctum
sanctorum on March 21 for three days and again on September 21 for three days.
This happens every year.
The temple is noted for its sculptures on the pillars and
walls. The huge Nandi in front of the sanctum sanctorum is noteworthy.
Important festivals observed in the shrine are Chithirai
Brahmotsavam (April – May); Aadi Thapasu Festival (July/August) and Navratri.
Sankarankovil Temple Timing
Morning - 5:30 AM to 12:15 PM
Evening – 4:00 PM to 9:30 PM