Amid the swaying paddy fields, coconut grooves and vibrant greenery, stands the Thiruvidaicode Mahadevar temple. Here Lord Shiva is in the form of Jadaiappan -  the lord with the matted hair. This is the ninth temple is the Sivalaya ottam circuit. There are carvings in rocks outside the temple which describe the donations made during 860-880 AD.

Location TamilNadu, Kanyakumari, Chennai

Legend

The temple has an incomplete Lingam and a Nandi with broken horns. Local tales describe that the Nandi, whom the workers sculpted before the idol of the Lord, ran amok in the nearby areas. They broke his horns to calm him down but in vain. Finally, they installed the incompletely done Shivalingam in the sanctum and then Nandi stayed calm in front of the Lord.

This temple is part of the famous Shivalaya Ottam.

Architecture

Made of stone, with white and red pillars the temple faces the east. Incomplete Lingam idol and Nandi with the broken horn are the sculptures associated with the temple legends. The huge main door is on the west side. There are carvings near the temple which are believed to be made in the 860-880 AD.

Culture

Kanyakumari district is the southernmost tip of the Indian peninsula. The traditions and customs of the people are similar to those of the people of Kerala. Padmanabhapuram was the was the erstwhile capital of Travancore.

Darsan Info

Thiruvidaicode Mahadevar temple timings :5.00 AM to 11.00 AM and 5.00 PM to 8.00 PM. The temple is a part of the famed Shivalaya ottam conducted during Shivratri. It is the ninth temple in the run sequence.

Darsan Dresscode

Devotees are advised to wear clean and traditional clothing. Western attire are not allowed in the temples of Tamil Nadu

Famous Festival

March - Sivrathri, Sivalaya ottam(Feb/Mar)

April - Annual temple festival

December - Thiruvathira

Temple Rituals

The priests perform daily rituals and puja to the diety.

Special Rituals

There is a ten day festival in the month of April

Additional Info

 

Small eateries are there near the temple.

Restaurants are available at Thuckalay or Nagercoil