அருள்மிகு கைலாசநாதர் திருக்கோயில், தென்திருப்பேரைKailasanathar Temple, Thenthiruperai

Sthala Mahātmyam

The Kailasanathar temple at Thenthiruperai, near Srivaikuntam on the Tamiraparani, is the seventh of the Nava Kailasam and the sthala of Budha, the planet Mercury. Reckoned nearly a thousand years old, it too belongs to the tradition of the nine flowers set adrift by Romasa Maharishi. Here Shiva is Kailasanathar and the Goddess Azhagiya Ponnammai; unusually, the Nandi faces the lingam directly. The shrine is celebrated for its sculptures of the planetary deities upon their horse-drawn chariots, the Sun with seven horses, the Moon with ten, Jupiter and Venus with eight, a rare iconographic wealth. A local legend recalls a coconut that sprouted horns, still preserved in the temple. As a Mercury parihara sthala, it is sought by those praying for intellect, learning, speech and success in trade. Its Muruga, enshrined with Valli, is said to resemble the form at nearby Thiruchendur. Maha Sivaratri and Pradosham are observed, and devotees performing remedies for Budha dosha make this a key station of the yatra.