The Hari-Hara run
Legend
Legend is that Doumaya Maharshi's son Vyakrapandan a great devotee of Lord Shiva had to be invited for Aswamedayagam. Lord Krishna engaged Bhima for this task while giving him 12 Shivlingams. Sri Krishna also directed Bhima to chant the names of Lord Vishnu while he meets Vyakrapadan. Hearing the chants of 'Govinda, Gopala', Vyakrapadan who disliked Vishnu devotees, chased Bhima. Bhima dropped the Lingams one by one on his way, and it is believed that they later became the twelve Shivalayams. The ottam ends at Thirunattalam which has a shrine for Shiva and Vishnu suggesting both are the manifestations of the same divinity.
Deity - Temples
Deity:- Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu
Temples Covered:- The 12 Temples are
Thiruppanricode Mahadevar Temple
Thirunattalam Sankaranarayanan Temple
Sree Neelakanda Swamy Temple, Thiruvithamcode
Thiruvidaicode Mahadevar Temple
Thirumelancode Kaalakaalar Temple
Thiruparappu Mahadevar Temple
Thirumalai Mahadevar Temple
Thikkurichi Mahadevar Temple
Thirunanthikarai Mahadevar Temple
Ponmanai Thimbileshwarar Temple
Pannipagam Mahadevar Temple
Kalkulam Neelakandeswarar Temple
Climate
The weather during Shivaratri which falls during Feb-March is pleasant with temperatures in the hight twenties.
Auspicious Days
Shivratri is a major festival in the Shiva temples and the Shivalaya ottam is undertaken on this auspicious day
Best time to Travel
The Shivalaya ottam is done on the day of Maha Shivratri.
Darshan Info Clock Duration
The journey has to be done in 24 hours.
Yatra Preparations
Area Covered
Kanyakumari, Tamil NaduMust Haves
Health Awarness
Travel Method
The traditional ottam involves going to the twelve temples on foot in one day. Of late, people also visit these temples by vehicles.
Crowd Expected
The Shivalaya ottam is gaining popularity and thousands of devotees from all over the state of Tamil Nadu and the neighbouring state of Kerala participate in the temple visits.
Festivals
Shivratri is a major festival in the Shiva temples and the Shivalaya ottam is undertaken on this auspicious day
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