Meenakshi of Tirunelveli

We all know about the famous Meenakshi and Chokkanatha of Madurai. Do you know or heard about Meenakshi and Chokkanatha of Tirunelveli? Here is one in Mela Veeraraghavapuram of Junction locality.

The temple is an ancient structure that has undergone renovations. It faces east and lacks a gopuram, but the outer walls of the sanctum clearly indicate its antiquity. The superstructure, however, has been recently built following the original design.

Inside the sanctum, there is a large Shiva Linga known as Chokkanatha. Meenakshi is enshrined in a shrine facing south. In the Ardha Mandapa, there are two Nandis, one facing the shrine of Chokkanatha and another facing Meenakshi. Additionally, a more prominent Nandi in the Maha Mandapa faces the sanctum.

The icons of Ganesha and Subramanya-Valli-Devasena are in the Ardha Mandapa. Other deities present in the outer prakara include Kannimoola Ganapati, Subramanya-Valli-Devasena, Iyappa, Bhairava, Shaneeswara, and the Navagrahas. In a departure from his customary eastward orientation, Budha, one of the nine planets, gazes northward.

The niches in the temple, which are believed to date back to the Pandya period, are supposed to be empty. As later additions, niche images of Dakshinamurti and Kanaka Durga have been placed. Dakshinamurti is seated on a mount atop a tortoise, which is a rare posture. A similar icon can be seen in the Tiruchendur Murugan temple.

Thought to be from the 14th century, this temple has an intriguing legend associated with it, although no inscriptions have been found, most likely lost over time.

In ancient times, King Ashaya Pandyan ruled over Tirunelveli, with Madurai as his capital. He had a deep devotion to Meenakshi-Chokkanatha, the principal deities of Madurai. Every day, he would visit the temple, fulfill his duties, and take care of his people. Meanwhile, the Chera King had plans to expand his territory and conquer the Western Ghats, which were under the control of the Pandya kingdom. Upon learning of this, King Ashaya Pandyan gathered his soldiers and set up camp near the Tamiraparani river in Tirunelveli.

Sage Sundara, who was both the king's friend and spiritual guide, had an ashram nearby. One morning, while bathing in the river and performing his daily rituals, the king focused his meditation on Chokkanatha. Suddenly, he heard a voice from the air, revealing that Chokkanatha was located beneath a Vilva tree near Sundara Munivar Ashram, where ants were encircling the spot. Intrigued, the king followed the signs and uncovered a Swayambhu Lingam, which he recognized as Chokkanatha. Overjoyed, he consecrated and worshipped the deity.

Meanwhile, the Chera king, waiting for the opportune moment to attack, noticed the daughter of King Ashaya Pandyan and fell in love with her. Instead of engaging in battle, he approached King Ashaya Pandyan, introduced himself, and requested the hand of the Pandya king's daughter in marriage. The Pandya king's daughter reciprocated the Chera king's feelings, and they were married in a momentous ceremony. In light of these events, King Ashaya Pandyan built a temple in Melaveeraragavapuram and performed the Kumbabhishekam ceremony for Lord Chokanatha, whom he had discovered and worshipped. This is the story of how Tirunelveli got Meenakshi and Chokkanatha of Madurai.

Happy travelling.