Saint Agasthiyar was doing penance in the Podhigai hills.

One of his prime

disciples was Uromacha Munivar. He prayed Lord Pasupathi to get libera-

tion. The Lord wanted to bless this to him through his guru Agasthiyar.

Agasthiyar put nine flowers in the river and asked Uromacha Munivar to

install a Shiva Lingam as Kailasha Nathar, wherever the flowers dock on

the bank and finally bathe and worship the Lord in the place where the river

joins the ocean by doing so he would get what he wished. Adhering to his

guru's words, Munivar worshipped the Lord Shiva(Kailasanathar) in the

nine places where the nine flowers stopped in the form of shiva lingam and

finally bathed in the place where Thamiraparani joined the ocean and got

liberated. These nine abodes are called Nava Kayilayam.

 Nine Lord Siva shrines highlight as Navagraghas
which gives healt h and wealt h to the Pilgrims. Amo ng the nine temples
four are situated in Tirunelveli district and rest of them in Thothukudii
district. The fo llowing are referred as Navakailayam shrines

Tirunelveli District Navakailaya Temples

Papanasam

It is 45km fro m Tirunelveli jn. Presid ing deit y o f

the temple is Pabavinasar alias Kailasanat ha and Mother goddess is Ula-
gammai . River Tamirabarani is river view of this temple. A good Picnic
spot. From here just 2km a famous Agasthiar Falls is lo cated.

Cheranmahadevi

It is 22km fro m Tirunelveli presid ing deit y o f the

temple is Sri Ammainat har alias Kailasanat har and Goddess Aawoo-
dainayaki It is also located on the bank of river Tamirabarani. Frequent
cit y buses are available to this place fro m Tirunelveli junct ion.

Kodaganallur

It is 15km fro m Tirunelveli on the way to Cheran-

mahadevi and the temple is lo cated near Nadukallur village. Presiding de-
it y is Kailasanathar and Goddess Sivakamiammai. Cit y buses are available
fro m Tirunelveli Junct ion Bus stand.

Kunnathur

It is 2km fro m Tirunelveli Town railway station.

And also very near toThiruvengadanathapuram Kunnathaur is located in
small hillock. Presiding deit y is Kothai Parameswaran. Goddess
 Sivakamasundari

Thoothukudi District Navakailaya Temples

Murappanadu

It is 17km fro m Tirunelveli and 40km fro m Thoothukudi on

the Nat ional Highways. It is also sit uated on the banks o f river Tamirabarni. Pre-
siding deit y is Kailasanathar Goddess Sivakamiammal.

Srivaikundam

It is 30km fro m Tirnelveli and 40km fro m Thoothukudi it is

also located on the river Tamirabarni. Presiding deit y is Kailasanathar Goddess
Sivakamiammai. The first Navathirupathi temple is lo cated here.

Thenthirupperai

It is 38km fro m Tirunelveli on the way to Tiruchendur. Pre-

siding deit y is Kailasanathar. Goddess Allakiyaponnamal One o f the Navathiru-
pathi temple also located here.

Rajjapathi

It is 38km fro m Tirunelveli on the way to Tiruchendur near

Thenthirupperai. Presiding deit y is Kailasanat har Goddess Alagiya po nnamal and
Sivakamiammai.

Senthapoomangalam

It is 20km km fro m Thoothukudi o n the way to Tiruchendur near Athoor and Punna-
kayal. Presiding deit y is Kailasanat har Goddess Sivakami Ammai. Cit y bus available
fro m Thoothukudi o ld bus stand.