Sankarankovil
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Sankarankovil Punnai Vanam Sankarankoil (சங்கரன்கோயில்) |
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|---|---|
| City | |
| Nickname(s): Sangai | |
 Sankarankovil
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| Coordinates: 9°10′N 77°33′E / 9.16°N 77.55°ECoordinates: 9°10′N 77°33′E / 9.16°N 77.55°E | |
| Country |
 India
|
| State | Tamil Nadu |
| District | Tirunelveli |
| Taluk | Sankarankoil taluk |
| Founded by | Ukkira Pandiya Raja |
| Government | |
| • Municipality Chairman | Kannan |
| • Sankarankovil (State Assembly Constituency) | V.M.Rajalakshmi (Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Minister) |
| Area rank | 1st |
| Elevation | 143 m (469 ft) |
| Population (2011) | |
| • Total | 70, 574 |
| • Rank | 1st in Tirunelveli District Municipalities |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Tamil |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
| PIN | 627756 |
| Telephone code | +91 - 4636 |
| Vehicle registration | TN-79 (Sankarankovil RTO) |
| Website | www.sankarankovil.com |
| 1st Grade Municipality | |
Sankarankovil (சங்கரன்கோவில்) is a second largest municipality in the Tirunelveli district of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Sankarankovil is home to the Sankara Narayanar temple. It is situated at Tirunelveli district and 56 km away from Thirunelveli City. Sankarankovil is the second largest town in the district. It was formerly called Sankaranayinarkoil (சங்கரநயினார்கோவில்). As of 2011, the town had a population of 70, 574.
Sankarankovil is home to the Sankaranayinar temple. It is situated at Tirunelveli District and 56 km away from Thirunelveli City. Sankarankovil is the second largest town in the district. It is very noted for the "Adi Thabasu" festival. In older times, the city was called as Sankaranayinarkoil. Even now it is called as Sankarankovil.
Like every other temple, Sankarankovil has its own interesting story. Once the devotees of Lord Hari (or Vishnu) and Lord Shiva quarreled with each other to determine whose god is powerful. Then Lord Shiva appeared as Sankaranarayanar to mark his devotees to understand that both Hari and Shiva are one and the same. So it is held sacred by Saivites and those Hindus who believe that Siva and Vishnu are a single deity one in one and accordingly, desire to worship the two gods into one form. Srivaishnavites of Tamil Nadu who worship Lord Vishnu only, have not accepted the mingling of Siva and Vishnu thus, and therefore, they reject this deity of this temple which depicts the concept of Hari and Haran being one God.
It was built by Ukkira Pandiyan AC 900.It houses the deity by the name Sankara Narayanan, which is half Lord Shiva and the other half Lord Vishnu.
The deities of this temple are Sri Sankareswarar, Sri Gomathi Amman and Sri Sankara Narayanar.
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Wikipedia