74. THATTATHIMOOLAI

VISWANADHAR TEMPLE

Distance: 5kms from Nannilam

Shiva: Viswanadhar

Amman: Visalakshi

Speciality:

Shiva faces east and Amman faces south.

All the Parivara deities are found here.

 The Amman is very beautiful facing south. Amman is seen in a sitting posture with one leg down and one leg folded in a posture of taking rest when one is sitting tiredly.

History:

Lord Shiva and Parvathi said to have got married in Thiruvizhimazhalai (12kms from Nannilam). Before their marriage they were advised to go to Kaasi but Amman Parvathi was very tired and she wanted some rest. So, she sat in the corner tiredly. Lord Shiva appeared similar to Kaasi and therefore this place where Parvathi sat had the benefits of Kaasi therefore Lord Shiva here is called Viswanadhar and Amman Visalakshi. Amman is seen in a sitting posture with one leg down and one leg folded in a posture of taking rest when one is sitting tiredly. This posture is very rare which cannot be found in any other temple. (Similar type of Sitting Parvathi is seen in a place called as Kalaipararagaram Kailasanadhar temple but the Amman is in a Larger size there). 

AMMAN IN SITTING POSTURE

VISWANADHAR

There was another Shiva temple in the village. The Linga was found in a farm near the temple. This Linga is placed in the temple and named as Mahalingaeswarar.