Sankaran Koil - Sankara Narayana Temple

Hari and Hara are one and the same. Differences between them, are none, although shapes they take differ and dwellings they made vary. Each has his office august, yet dissimilar in function and purport. To match the nature and tenor of work, they differ significantly in life styles. One is given to ostentation - aadambara, whereas the other is the simplicity incarnate - niraaadambara. To see these diametrical opposites in one form is indeed a sight marvellous. Its conception defies description and fills the soul with sampurnanand.

Such state was ardently desired by Mother Parvathi once. She desired to feast her eyes with Vishnu and Siva in one single form - two persons in- one murti. But how to? In order to fulfill her ambition, she embarked upon doing penance. Though it seems simple, very hard to endure. She did. It was a hard 9-day penance and started in the month of Adi; and on the full moon day, there appeared before her, the SANKARANARAYANA form, as she desired. It was a grand sight and this eyeful spectacle she enjoyed, became the cause of emergence of a holy temple called Sankaran koil. It is an ancient temple, vast in occupation and splendid in sculptural adornments.

The temple complex has three main shrines - one of Sankara Narayana - two gods in one form, exemplifying the truth - Siva and Vishnu are same, and another for Gomati Amman, the local name for Mother Parvathi and the last one for Maheswar in his usual LINGAKARA. An annual festival called Aditapas is celebrated on a grand scale in commemmoration of that great event. Crowds overflow the little town and they participate in the ritualistic worship with great ardor. It is believed that many chronic diseases take to flight, if one prays and fasts at the holy feet of Mother Gomati Amman.

It lies midway between Tenkasi and Srivilliputtur, both are equally famous towns for holy shrines. And 55 km off Tirunelveli, one of the famous district head quarters town in the South.

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