01Half Shiva, half Vishnu
The temple’s katha tells that the serpent kings Sankan and Padman argued over whether Shiva or Vishnu was greater, and Devi Parvati, as Gomathi, sat in tapas on one leg to have the answer shown. In the month of Aadi Shiva appeared as Sankaranarayana: the right half Shiva, with matted hair, the left half Vishnu, with crown and conch. Three shrines stand in the temple, of Shankaralingam, of Gomathi Amman, and between them Sankaranarayana. The Aadi Thabasu festival, when Gomathi Amman is taken in procession to receive that darshan, draws lakhs to this small town.
02Earth from the anthill
The linga is held to have been found in an anthill in the forest, and the earth of the anthill, puttru mann, is given as prasad. Devotees rub it on the skin as a remedy, and farmers scatter it on their fields. Silver and tin figures of snakes, scorpions and centipedes are offered by those who seek protection from bites. The temple’s tradition credits the stone temple to the Pandya king Ukkira Pandiyan in the 11th century.
The life of this place
- 11th century (tradition)The stone temple is raised by Ukkira Pandiyan.
Sankarankovil is about 55 km north-west of Tirunelveli. Aadi Thabasu falls on the full moon of Aadi (July–August).
