Thirunattalam Nattalam |
|
---|---|
Town | |
Thirunattalam's location within the state of Tamil Nadu | |
Coordinates: 8°16′38″N 77°13′37″E / 8.277194°N 77.226988°ECoordinates: 8°16′38″N 77°13′37″E / 8.277194°N 77.226988°E | |
Country | India |
State | Tamil Nadu |
District | Kanyakumari |
Thirunattalam, also called Nattalam, is a Panchayat town in Kanyakumai district in the Indian State of Tamil Nadu. It is located 4 km (2.5 mi) from Marthandam, 6 km (3.7 mi) from Karungal and 10 km (6.2 mi) from Thuckalay.
As of the[update]2001 India census, Thirunattalam had a population of around 11,037. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Thirunattalam has an average literacy rate of 79.9%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 81%, and female literacy is 77%. The village is awarded Nirmal Gram Puraskar award in the year 2006.
The last temple of Sivalaya Ottam is in Thirunattalam. On the day of Sivarathri, devotees of Lord Siva will finish their 24-hour marathon in Thirunattalam. It is the 12th temple in this marathon.
There are two temples in this village. In the first temple the main god is Lord Vishnu and Lord Siva. The god is therefore called Sankaranarayanar, which means Siva-Vishnu. The idol there is suggesting that Hari (Vishnu) and Haran (Siva) are one and same. In the second temple the main god is Lord Siva and Lord Parvathi. The god is therefore called Arthanareeswara, which means half woman and God. There is a holy tank between these two temples.it's the only temple in travancore where Brahma's idol found. The famous Christian devotee Martyr Devasahayam Pillai born in Nattalam. Now there was a church built in his place of birth and prayers are going regularly, Friday mass are special for the church.
There are morning and evening poojas in this temple. On Sivarathri day there will be four special Yama Poojas, in every two hours from 10 PM. After the fourth yama pooja, by 4 AM, divotees will get Vibhuti and prasada, which indicates their Sivarathri fast is over.