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Arulmigu Sankaranarayanaswamy Temple, Sankarankovil, Tenkasi District, Tamil Nadu

Sankarankoil is an important pilgrimage centre of Tamil Nadu and it is located in the newly formed Tenkasi District. Devotees visiting Sankaran Kovil can easily identify it due to the presence of a huge Welcome Arch seen here. The Presiding Deity is Sri Sankara Narayanan who is considered to be a fusion of Sri Shiva and Sri Maha Vishnu together. According to the fabled History it is believed that there was a point of contention as to who is Omnipotent between Sri Mahadevan and Sri Maha Vishnu. Finally a compromise was effected and they appeared together as a unified God in this Temple. In other words Sri Sankara Narayana Swamy demonstrates the Oneness between them. The Temple was built in the 11th Century by King Ukkira Pandiyan.

The East facing Rajagopuram which is 125 feet high comprises of 9 Tiers. The Gopuram has many Stucco Images and a huge courtyard around the 3 Sanctums. There is a Sub Shrine of Sri Sowbhagya Vinayagar following which there are several rows of Shops all along the corridor. At the second entrance there is another three tiered East facing Rajagopuram. Beneath the Rajagopuram is the Idol of the Adhikara Nandhi who is found in a Human Form and His Consort is Suyajadevi. There is a Neivedhya Peedam or Bali Peedam, a Dwajasthambam or Kodi Maram and a Nandhi Vaahanam after the three tiered Rajagopuram. Beyond it is another Dwajasthambam or Kodi Maram in a multi pillared Mandapam. There are two huge Dwara Baalakas before the East facing Moolasthanam. In the Sanctum Sanctorum the Moolavar or the Presiding Deity is in the form of a Swayambhu Shiva Lingam. The Temple is of splendid Architecture and designed so that the Sun Rays falls on the Icon of Sri Sankara Lingam for 3 days from 21st of each month. The Koshtam of the Moolavar Sannadhi has the Idols of Sri Vinayagar, Sri Dhakshinamoorthy, Sri Yoga Narasimhar and Sri Brahmma. The Urchavamoorthy Idols are kept in a separate Sub Shrine. There are two Dwara Baalaki Idols who stand guard before the Shrine of Sri Gomathi Ambal. The Consort here is known as Sri Gomathi Ambal who has a separate Shrine of Her own She is seen East facing and in a standing posture holding a Lotus Bud in Her right hand. Facing Her Sannadhi is a Dwajasthambam or Kodi Maram. A Nandhi Vaahanam is seen facing Her Shrine. Close to this is a Sri Chakkaram and Devotees are allowed to sit on it and Meditate for a while on select days. Between the Moolavar Sannadhi and the Ambal Sannadhi is the East facing Shrine of Sri Shankaranarayanar who is seen as a soiltary Idol with Sri Mahadevar or God Shiva on the right side and Sri Maha Vishnu on the left side. There are two Dwara Baalaka Idol who seem to stand guard before the Shrine of Sri Shankaranarayanar. There is an Idol of Sri Ganapathy and Sri Subramaniyar on either side of the Shrine of Sri Sankara Narayanar. Close to the Idol of Sri Subramaniyar is a small Sub Shrine which has the Idol of Sri Lakshmi Narayanar. Close to this Shrine is a smaller Sub Shrine in which the Urchavamoorthy Idol of Sri Shankara Narayanar is seen.

Apart from these there are Idols of Sri Chandran, Sri Suryan, Sri Naalvar, Sri Durgai, 63 Naayanmaars, Sri Sapthamathas or Sri Saptha Kannigaikal, Sri Vinayagar and Sri Murugan who is mentioned here as Sri Veerabadra Swamy. The Idols of Sri Chandikeshwarar, Sri Pitchadanar, and the following Lingams of Sri Eesana Lingam, Sri Thathpurusha Lingam, Sri Vamadeva Lingam, Sri Agora Lingam and Sri Sathyojaatha Lingam are seen. There are East facing Sub Shrine of Sri Saraswathi, Sri Lakshmi and Sri Subramaniyar who is seen flanked by His Consorts Valli and Devasena. This Temple has a fascinating Sub Shrine of Sri Vanmeeganathar Putru Kovil. This is made out of a cemented structure resembling a Putru or Ant Hill. There are 108 Naagar Idols etched all over.

Sri Kasi Viswanathar, Sri Saneeswaran, Sri Durgai Amman and Sri Bhairavar Idols too are seen in their South facing Sub Shrines. The Temple has a separate Navagraha Sannadhi. The rear wall of the Shivan Sannadhi has a beautiful multi coloured painting of Sri Pallikonda Perumal who looks gorgeous in His reclining posture. The Putru Kovil Sannadhi or the Ant Hill of this Temple is well known to all Devotees attracting a huge number of Devotees. It is said that a pinch of this Mud when mixed with Water and drunk cures several ailments. The Sthala Viruksham is Punnai Maram. The Sacred Tank is known as Naga Sunai Theertham. This Sacred Tank of Naaga Sunai is believed to have been dug by the Serpent King Paduman and Sangam. Aadi Thapasu Festival is much noted and draws lots of Devotees. There are several shops located around the Temple. The importance of this Temple is that high that no Devotees would ever miss coming to this Temple in Tamil Nadu or in a nutshell it can be said that this Temple is the Heartbeat of the State of Tamil Nadu. In this way it continues to attract scores and scores of Devotees from all over India and abroad. This Temple has two Temple Cars or Chariot of varying sizes which are seen parked near the Welcome Arch of the Temple. This Temple gains prominence since its considered as a Pancha Bootha Sthalam and Naaga Dosha Parhaara Sthalam.

Contact Details: Manikandan 88078 58216, C.S.Saravanan 96008 47340, 79040 35270, 04636 222265 and 94862 40200

For Tamil Archanai: Raja Bhattar 94436 71363, Muthuganesh Vathiyar 89038 83148, Ramani Vathiyar 97900 62098, Sankara Ramasubramaniya Bhattar 80564 66930 and Chandramouleeswara Bhattar 94862 40200

Temple Timings: 5.30 AM to 12.30 PM and 4 PM to 9.30 PM

Distance from Tenkasi to Sankarankovil is 39 Kms

Distance from Srivilliputhur to Sankarankovil is 44 Kms

Distance from Thiruthangal to Sankarankovil is 52 Kms

Distance from Varkala to Sankarankovil is 140 Kms

Distance from Madurai to Sankarankovil is 144 Kms

Distance from Trichy to Sankarankovil is 281 Kms

Distance from Thirunelveli to Sankarankovil is 64 Kms

Distance from Thoothukudi to Sankarankovil is 109 Kms

Distance from Thiruchendur to Sankarankovil is 116 Kms

Distance from Nagerkoil to Sankarankovil is 138 Kms

Distance from Suchindram to Sankarankovil is 139 Kms