Vandiperiyar Shiva Temple

In the 11th century Manavikrama Pandyan had discovered the ruins of a temple on the banks of the Periyar river. His decision to settle there was, however, not very wise as he was instantly attacked and looted by a gang of dacoits. He was rescued by a young boy, Ayappa, who is now the spiritual lord of the Sabarimala Temple. In the 1970’s, a Shivalinga was unearthed in the space where the ruins were discovered. For many years the Shivalinga was housed in a small building adjacent to the Vandiperiyar Sree Dharma Shasta temple. In 2015 construction was commenced by the members of the Poonjar royal family to build a grand Shiva temple in the place where the ancestor and founder of the family Manavikrama Pandyan had found the ruins. The subsequent year the Shiva temple was consecrated. The Shivalinga, according to devaprashna’s, is said to be from the Treta Yuga and largely untouched by human hands. Shivarathri, which is celebrated in the temple is also the festival of the land. Large crowds congregate on the temple grounds for the festivities. The temple is situated in Vandiperiyar, near Kumily and Tekkady. The famous Sabarimala Temple is just 25 kilometres away from here. Read more about how the Pandya king found the ruins of the temple here.