Stay Near Arulmigu Kailasanathar Temple, Saendha Poomangalam | Nava Kailayam 9th & Final Temple

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Stay Near Arulmigu Kailasanathar Temple, Saendha Poomangalam | Nava Kailayam 9th & Final Temple — Sukran (Venus) Sthalam

Nava Kailasam Temples
May 12, 2026

Sri Kailasanathar Temple

The place where the last flower reached came to be known as Sernthapoomangalam which literally translates to “Place where the last flower rested.” This ninth and final temple is dedicated to Venus Sukran and forms the last of the three temples of the Lower Kailayam (Keezh Kailayam).

This is the ninth and last of the Nava Kailasam temples located on the banks of the Thamirabarani River, dedicated to Sukran. The temple was consecrated by Sage Romaharshana. The planetary deity Sukran is believed to rule over a person’s life for 20 years and it is believed that during this time, he blesses the person with fame, fortune, and wealth. Sukran worshipped Shiva at this temple, and so Shiva himself imbibes all the qualities of Sukran, in addition to being the Adipathi of all the Navagrahas.

Worshipping Lord Shiva here is equivalent to worshipping in Agneeswarar Temple at Kanjanoor near Kumbakonam one of the most powerful Sukra Sthalam temples in all of Tamil Nadu.

This is no ordinary final stop Saendha Poomangalam is where the sacred Thamirabarani River completes its divine journey and merges with the sea at Punnakayal (Sangumugam) making this the most spiritually complete and poetic conclusion to the entire Nava Kailayam pilgrimage. For pilgrims completing this sacred circuit, Ananta Vihara in Thirukolur is the most peaceful and conveniently located homestay base.

The Lord of this temple is Sri Kailasanathar and the Goddess is Sri Soundarya Nayagi. Lord Shiva takes on the features of Venus Sukran here.

The temple faces east, with an entrance from the south the east side entrance is kept closed. Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam, and Rishabam are after the east side entrance. The Moolavar is on a round Avudayar. Dwarapalakas, Vinayagar, and Murugan are at the entrance of the sanctum sanctorum. A Rishabam is also in the Ardha Mandapam facing the sanctum sanctorum.

This temple has Nava Lingas in place of the Navagraha sannathi a completely unique and rare feature found nowhere else in the entire Nava Kailayam circuit. While other temples have separate Navagraha idol shrines, here the nine planets are represented as nine sacred Shiva Lingams making every prayer here a direct Shiva worship for each planetary deity.

Subsidiary Deities

Shrines in this temple include Kanni Vinayagar, Chokkanathar, Bhairava, Meenakshi, planets Sun, Moon, and Sani Bhagwan. Lord Muruga is on his peacock vahana. Other shrines include Navagrahas (as Nava Lingams), Saptamatrikas, the Nayanmars, and Kubera on the Ambal Vimana.

Why "Saendha Poomangalam"?

The name of the village Sernda-poo-mangalam literally means “the place where the flowers were finally collected.” Here the Lord is considered to represent Shukran or Venus. This is the last and ninth flower given by Sage Agasthya that washed up at this sacred bank of the Thamirabarani.

The Legend Agasthiyar's Sacred Mission

During the celestial wedding of Shiva and Parvati, all the Devas, Rishis, and Munis assembled at Mount Kailash to witness the marriage. Due to this massive gathering, the earth’s north side went down in level and the south rose up equally. Shiva asked Agasthiyar to go to the South to balance it. On his way to Podhigai, Agasthiyar installed and worshipped Shiva Lingams at many places. It is believed that the Moolavar of this temple was also installed and worshipped by Agasthyar.

As per another legend, Agasthiyar’s first disciple Uroma Maharishi and the Kings of the Seas attained Mukti liberation at this very place. This makes Saendha Poomangalam not just the geographical end of the Nava Kailayam circuit but also its spiritual summit the place of ultimate liberation.

The Sacred Geography — Where the River Meets the Sea

The river Thamirabarani flows at a distance of half a kilometre from the temple at Sernthapoomangalam, and a sacred bathing Ghat is present here. Due to the rapid flow of the water, the river confluences with the sea at Punnakayal which is around four kilometres from here. This place is known as Sangumugam.

This Sri Kailasanathar temple is located where the Thamirabarani River confluences with the sea the Palk Strait. It is believed that those who take a dip in the Chandikan Teertham and worship Shiva here will get the Sukra Yoga the most auspicious planetary blessing of Venus.

The confluence of the Thamirabarani with the sea at Punnakayal (Sangumugam) is considered a sacred Triveni making a bath here one of the most spiritually powerful acts in the entire Nava Kailayam pilgrimage!

Sukran's Own Penance — The Legend

Sukran worshipped Shiva at this temple making this the Sukra Parihara Sthalam where the planet Venus himself sought and received the blessings of Lord Shiva. Since Sukran directly worshipped here, the Lord imbibes all the qualities of Sukran in addition to being the Adipathi the supreme Lord of all nine Navagrahas.

This makes Saendha Poomangalam one of the rarest temples in Tamil Nadu where the planetary deity himself is the prime devotee and the Lord has absorbed that planet’s essence into himself!

Unique Feature Nava Lingas Instead of Navagraha Idols

This temple has Nava Lingas in place of Navagraha sannathi nine Shiva Lingams representing the nine planetary deities. This is a completely unique feature not found in any other Nava Kailayam temple, and symbolizes that at Saendha Poomangalam, all nine planetary forces are unified in Lord Shiva himself making a single visit here equivalent to worshipping all nine Navagrahas.

Navagraha Significance Sukran (Venus) Sthalam

The planetary deity Sukran is believed to rule over a person’s life for 20 years the longest ruling period of any Navagraha. During this time, he blesses the person with fame, fortune, and wealth. Worshipping here is equivalent to worshipping at the Agneeswarar Temple at Kanjanoor near Kumbakonam one of the most powerful Sukra Sthalam temples in all of Tamil Nadu.

This temple is the Parihara Sthalam for doshas related to Sukran Venus and worshipping Lord Kubera here specifically increases family wealth.

Devotees pray here for:

Relief from Sukra (Venus) dosha
Wealth, prosperity, and family abundance
Fame, beauty, and artistic success
Marital happiness and relationship harmony
Blessings for Taurus (Rishaba) & Libra (Thula) Rasi
Sukra Yoga Venus auspiciousness
Relief from all nine Navagraha doshas (Nava Lingam)
Moksha and spiritual liberation (as Agasthiyar’s disciples attained here)

Special Days: Friday (Velli Kilamai), Pradosham, and Maha Shivaratri prayers are most powerful here. Special Offering: White flowers, white rice, white sesame, dairy products, and silver items to Sukra Bhagavan.

Temple Open Hours: 7:00 AM – 11:00 AM & 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM 📞 Temple Contact: +91 99420 62825 | 98422 63681

Major Festivals

Key festivals celebrated here:

Maha Shivaratri — February–March (Grand celebration)
Pradosham — twice monthly (Very important)
Friday Sukra special poojas — year-round
Shiva-Parvati Thirukalyanam — annual divine wedding festival
Tamil Month First Day special poojas — monthly
Agasthiyar Guru Puja — special annual celebration

How to Reach

From	Distance	Route
Tirunelveli	~52 km	Bus / Taxi
Thoothukudi	~53 km	Bus / Taxi
Tiruchendur	~18 km	Bus / Taxi
Rajapathy	~8 km	Taxi
Attur (via Tiruchendur road)	~3 km	Auto / Taxi

Nearest Railway Station: Tiruchendur Railway Station (~18 km) Bus Route: All buses from Tirunelveli to Tiruchendur on the NH-7 route pass near here — alight at Attur and proceed 3 km Route: Tirunelveli → Tiruchendur Road → Attur → Sernthapoomangalam (3 km from Attur) Best Time to Visit: October – March | Friday visits | Maha Shivaratri (Feb–March) | Pradosham days

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