Gotha Parameswara - The Nava Kailasham Temple on the banks of Tamraparani

Romasa Maharishi, the grandson of Lord Brahma and disciple of Sage Agastya, embarked on a divine mission under his Guru's guidance. He placed nine flowers into the Tamraparani River, each marking the spot where he installed a Shiva Linga. These nine temples, collectively known as Nava Kailasham, hold profound significance in the Tirunelveli and Tiruchendur regions. This article zooms in on Kunnathur, the fourth Nava Kailasham temple, intricately linked with the shadow planet Rahu.

Situated just one kilometer away from the renowned Mela Tiruvenkatanathapuram temple (the Southern Tirupati), and a mere 300 meters from the Keezha Tiruvenkatanathapuram temple, lies the ancient Shiva temple. The picturesque village is Kunnathur, also known as Chenkani or Keezha Tiruvenkatanathapuram.

At its heart of the temple stands a moderately sized Shiva Linga named Gotha Parameswarar, adorned with a sarpa rekha, in the east-facing sanctum. Known by other names such as Nageesar and Kailasanathar, this Linga is housed within a beautifully crafted vimana. The presiding Goddess, Sivakami, embodies the quintessential Tirunelveli style, standing gracefully in Tribhanga posture, holding a flower in her right arm, within a south-facing shrine situated in the Mukha mandapa.

Evidence of the temple's antiquity is manifest in its architectural elements, visible on the outer walls and sculpted pillars of the maha mandapa. The mukha mandapa boasts a Kerala-style stone roof, reminiscent of wooden roofing, adorned with enchanting Yazhi and Gaja friezes. Within the prakara, devotees encounter Dakshinamurti, Chandikeshwara, and Bhairava, alongside sub-shrines dedicated to Kanni Moola Ganapati and Arumuga Nayinar. Notably, Arumuga Nayinar, depicted as a six-headed, twelve-armed Skanda seated atop a peacock with a Tiruvasi behind him, showcases exceptional artistic craftsmanship, flanked by Valli and Devasena.

The entrance to the Ardha mandapa boasts ancient sculpture of Ganesha and a Linga with a serpent, adding to the temple's allure. While lacking a dhwajastambha, the temple features a bali peetha and a Nandi facing the main shrine, with the Bilva tree serving as the sthala vruksha. 

Three hollow niches are found on the outer walls of the main shrine. Dakshinamurti, as stated above, is a new addition on the south facing niche. Toranas above the niches and the bas-relief images are gone, except for west side where Yoga Narasimha is seen.

A big bas-relief image of a monkey is an additional attraction that can be seen on the inner wall of Ardha mandapa.

An inscription from the 1170s CE, discovered during the reign of Veera Pandya, refers to the village as Keezh Vembu Naattu Brahmadeyam Chenkani, alias Avani Narayana Chaturvedi Mangalam. It sheds light on the temple's history, mentioning donations made by Veera Pandya towards its upkeep and revealing the presence of a land measuring tool used to settle disputes within the village. Additionally, a copper plate at the Nellaiyappar temple identifies this site as TiruNangeesaneri, with the deity revered as Tirunageesar.

Happy travelling.