Sankarankoil
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| Sankarankovil | |
| — city — | |
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| Coordinates | 9°10′N 77°33′E / 9.16°N 77.55°ECoordinates: 9°10′N 77°33′E / 9.16°N 77.55°E |
| Country | India |
| State | Tamil Nadu |
| District(s) | Tirunelveli |
| Population | 53,613 (2001[update]) |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+05:30) |
| Area |
• 52 metres (171 ft) |
| Website | www.sankarankovil.com |
Sankarankovil (Tamil: சங்கரன்கோவில்) is a municipality in the Tirunelveli district of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.
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[edit] The temple
Sankarankovil is home to the famous Sankara Narayanan temple. It is situated at Tirunelveli District and 56 km away from Thirunelveli City. Sankarankovil is the second largest town in the district. It is very famous for "Adi Thabasu" festival. In older times, the city was called as Sankaranayinar kovil. Even now it is called as Sankaran Kovil.
Like every other temple, Sankarankovil has its own interesting story. Once the devotees of Lord Hari (or Vishnu) and Lord Shiva quarreled with each other to determine whose god is powerful. Then Lord Shiva appeared as Sankaranarayanar to mark his devotees to understand that both Hari and Shiva are one and the same. So it is held sacred by Saivites and those Hindus who believe that Siva and Vishnu are a single deity one in one and accordingly, desire to worship the two gods into one form. Srivaishnavites of Tamil Nadu who worship Lord Vishnu only, have not accepted the mingling of Siva and Vishnu thus, and therefore, they reject this deity of this temple which depicts the concept of Hari and Haran being one God.
It was built by Ukira Pandiyan AC 900.It houses the deity by the name Sankara Narayanan, which is half - Lord Shiva and the other half - Lord Vishnu.
The deities of this temple are Sri Sankareswarar, Sri Gomathi Amman and Sri Sankara Narayanar. Sankarankovil is also said to be home to the deity named Avudai Ambal-RR.
The general belief is that the Holy Sand "Puttrumann" (Puttru = Ant Hill, Mann = Sand) that one gets from this temple is capable of curing all the diseases. Devotees believe that Sankarankovil‘s Nagasunai (sacred tank) have been dug by serpent kings named Paduman and Sangam which has a miraculous power to heal those who bathe there. The Annadhanam scheme is being conducted in the temple when daily noon meals are being provided for around 100 devotees.
The Puthu Maan in the temple is taken as a holy sand which could cure lot of disease by all devotees.
It is believed[by whom?] that all devotees who pray to the goddess Gomathi amman have always found solace. The King of Sankarankovil...
[edit] History
Once upon a time a "Devan" (Angel) called "Manikkeerivan" was cursed by Goddess Parvathi. Because of which, he had to come to earth and work as gardener in a beautiful garden. One day while he was clearing a snake pit, the snake tail was also cut. He found a Sivalingam next to the snake. He went and informed about this to his king Ukira Pandiyan. The king considered it to be the god's wish to stay there and constructed the temple and a city around.
The snake pit (Ant Hill) is called "Vanmeekam" (Tamil: வன்மீகம்). Hence the deity Sri Sankaralingar is also called "Vanmeeganadhar" (Tamil: வன்மீகநாதர்).
[edit] Demographics
- As of 2001[update] India census[1], Sankarankovil had a population of 53,613.
- Males constitute 50% of the population and females 50%.
- Sankarankovil has an average literacy rate of 68%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 77%, and female literacy is 60%.
- In Sankarankovil, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.
[edit] Festivals
- Chithhirai Bramotsava ( 10 days ) Every April
- Adi thapasu festival ( 12 days ) August
- Iyppasi Thirukkalyanam festival ( 10 days ) October
- Theppam floating festival - Thai last Friday ( Every February )
[edit] Picnic spots
There are many picnic spots in and around Sankarankovil. They are the Kalugumalai and Manappadu.
For the devotees: at Tirunelveli are the Sri Nellayappar and Gandhimathi temples,at Karivalamvandanallur Sri Palvannanathar Temple, at Courtallam is the Sri Kutralanathaswamy temple, at Sankarankovil is the Sri Sankaranarayanaswamy temple, at Tenkasi - the Sri Kasiviswanathaswamy temple, at Kalugumalai - the Sri Kalugachalamoorthy temple, at Veerakeralam - Sri Navaneethakrishnan temple and at Srivilliputhur - Andal Temple.
Sri Nellayappar and Gandhimathi temple of Thirunelveli is one of the biggest and famous temples in the state.
[edit] Industrial places
There are many industries in Sankarankovil.Apart from agri business, this town is well known for its textiles. Nearly about 4000 powerlooms is directly involved in producing various kinds of textile products like Terry towel, Cotton Sarees, lungies, hand kerchiefs etc. The produced product are marketed all over India directly. Subbulapuram, a village 14 km away from sankarankovil, is popularly known as "TERRY CITY". TERYY TOWEL are largely manufactured in these places. By frankly saying that these are the places were cotton yarns are largely used. Consists of ^ industries in a same place. 1.Weaving and sizing industries 2.Plastic Moulding industries 3.Spinning Mills 4.Oil Industries 5.Furniture manufacturing industries. etc.
[edit] Politics
Sankarankoil (State Assembly Constituency) is part of Tenkasi (Lok Sabha constituency).
[edit] References
- ^ "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 2004-06-16. http://web.archive.org/web/20040616075334/http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999. Retrieved 2008-11-01.
[edit] External links
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