Bhoothalingaswamy Temple

The Bhoothalingaswamy Temple is an Indian temple located at Boothapandi, India, dedicated to the deity Lord Shiva and notable for its ancient architecture and religious significance. It serves as the headquarters of the Thovalai taluk and is situated 7 km (4.3 mi) northeast of the village Nagercoil, which is positioned on the western bank of the River Pazhaiyar, at the foot of the hill known as Thadagai Malai, which is widely believed by Hindus to be the abode of Thadakai in the Ramayana, thus adding to its religious importance.

According to the Travancore Manual, Boothapandi is "an ancient palace founded by one of the Pandya sovereigns". Vague traditions are preserved in the Keralopatti and Kerala Mahatmiyam, where the Pandya invasion of Kerala is referred to mythically.

The Mahatmiyam narrates a tale of the Pandyas invading Kerala with an army of Bhuthatans (spirits), eventually defeated by Parasurama, the warrior sage. As a result of this conflict, the boundary between Kerala and Pandya kingdoms was repaired at Boothapandi as a compromise. A later interpretation of the Parasurama legend suggests that it symbolically represents the advent of the Aryans into Kerala.

The Bhoothalingaswamy Temple is said to have been constructed by King Pasum Pon Pandyan, the son of Boothapandiyan.

The presiding deity of the temple is the Suyambu Lingam, also known as Salian Kanda Thirumani. In the 17th century, members of the Saliyar caste lived in the town. According to a local legend, one of the community members discovered his cow being milked by an unknown individual. To investigate, he followed the cow and found it discharging milk on a bush. In a fit of anger, he destroyed the bush, revealing a stone idol beneath it. Upon slashing the idol, it started to bleed, which astounded the man. As a result, the decision was made to construct a temple for the stone idol, now known as Lord Shiva, hence earning the name Salian Kanda Thirumani for the deity. This legend has been passed down through generations and adds to the temple's cultural significance.

Structure of the temple
The temple is east-facing and is located in Boothapandi. It is positioned on the eastern face of a large irregular rock, where a cell serves as the sanctum for the presiding deity, Bhoothalingaswamy, represented by a linga carved into the same rock. Unlike traditional temples, this shrine does not have a vimana over it.

The temple complex features a tank with a small Mandapa on its northern side. A thick stone wall surrounds the rock, and later additions of the ardhamandapa and mahamandapa contribute to the temple's architecture.

Upon entering the sanctum, visitors will find the image of Vinayak (Ganesha) on the right side and the image of Nandi in front of the linga. On the right side of Nandi, facing south, there is an idol of Nataraja along with Sivakami Ambal. Other deities present in the temple include Adithyan, Subramanian with Valli and Deivanai, and Sandikeswarar.

Outside the prakaram (outer courtyard), visitors are allowed to perform pooja to Kasi Viswanathar and Ulagayanayagi. Additionally, there is a separate shrine dedicated to Sivakami Ambal, which features a small vimana above it, adding to the spiritual significance of the temple.

History
Boothapandi was a small forest area surrounded by bushes and trees. In this village, there lived a man who belonged to the Saliyar caste. He owned cows.

Among his cows, there was one cow that did not provide milk to the man regularly. Being curious about this, the man decided to investigate the matter. The next day, he followed the cow and saw that the cow went to a particular long grass bush and automatically released milk into it.

Feeling confused and suspicious, the man used an iron cutter to cut down the bushes. To his astonishment, the iron cutter was filled with blood when he pulled it out. This was an unexpected sight, and he called others from the village to witness the unusual occurrence.

Together, they removed the bushes, and to their amazement, they discovered a sculpture of Lord Siva, created by Suyambulingam (Saliyar Kanda Thirumeeni), within the bushes.

In response to this miraculous finding, the king decided to construct a temple dedicated to Lord Siva, which later became known as the Bhoothalingaswamy Temple. This temple is of a type known as "Kudaivarai Kovil," meaning it was built inside a rock.

The temple's rich history and the story of its origin have been cherished by the people of Bhoothapandi for generations, adding to its cultural significance and religious importance.

Sculptures
The Bhoothalingaswamy Temple has a range of sculptures, including the front of the Sivakami Ambal shrine. Notably, the sculptures of Kamadeva (Manmathan) and Rathi are particularly detailed. The chain is made entirely from stone.

One aspect of the temple's sculptures relates to the depiction of a significant event from the Ramayana. According to the epic, Lord Rama killed Vaali from behind. When viewed from the front, an observer can see the image of Rama behind Vaali. However, when standing in front of Vaali's image, Rama's image remains hidden.

Another art piece found in the temple is the wooden Manamedai (for weddings) within the Mandapa. This piece has been crafted so that the joints are invisible. The Kalyanamedai contains numerous multi-colored images.

In the Kalyanamandapam, a Srichakram is engraved on the panel of a pillar, symbolizing the spiritual significance and worship of the divine feminine energy.

The temple's architectural layout does not include an inner prakaram for both the shrines. However, on the southwest corner of the common prakaram of the shrines, one can find the deity Vinayaga, who is locally known as "Ninaithathai Mudikkum Vinayakar," signifying the auspicious beginning and blessing seekers with good thoughts.

Car Festival
Yearly, during the month of Tai (Tamil calendar month from the mid of January to the mid of February), the people of Bhuthapandy and its surrounding areas come together to celebrate a car festival. The festival spans ten days and involves various activities and events.

Each year, a committee is formed to organize and oversee the festivities. Throughout the ten days, the celebration comes alive with a vibrant atmosphere and a sense of unity among the community members. The festival's nightly events include katcheri (musical performances), orchestra, and Bharatham dance competitions performed by children, adding entertainment and cultural enrichment to the festivities.

As part of the celebrations, the streets are adorned with light arrangements, creating an ambiance around the four streets (rathaveethy). The fourth and seventh days of the festival are particularly significant as they witness the grand Thiruvila (procession). During this time, there are processions featuring elephants, the Horse Bhavani, Siringari melam (traditional percussion music), and Muthu kodai Bhavani.

The festival also includes various competitions, such as Rangoli (Kolam) competitions for women and girls.

The ninth day of the festival is called Therotam, which is a highlight of the celebration. On this day, three cars are adorned with garlands and decorations. The main attraction is the big car, which carries the idol of Lord Bhoothalinga Swamy. Additionally, smaller cars hold the idols of Lord Ganapathy and Amman (Goddess Parvathi). The procession marks a significant moment of devotion and reverence.

The annual car festival of Bhuthapandy is a joyous occasion that not only showcases the religious fervor of the community but also fosters a strong sense of cultural heritage and togetherness among its people.

Route
The route to reach the place from the District Capital Nagercoil is Nagercoil - Vadasery - Putheri - Erachakulam - Easanthimangalam -Thuvarancaud - Bhoothapandi (totalling nine kilometres).