Sivalaya Ottam

2021-03-10T19:05:49Z

61.2.117.94: /* See also */

{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2020}}
[[File:Sivalaya Ottam.svg|thumb|Sivalaya Ottam - Route map and Distance chart]]
'''Sivalaya Ottam''' ([[Tamil language|Tamil Language]]:சிவாலய ஓட்டம்) ([[Malayalam language]]:ശിവാലയ ഓട്ടം) is a ritual marathon undertaken by the devotees to the 12 Siva shrines in the [[Kanyakumari District|district of Kanyakumari]] on the day of [[Sivarathri]].<ref>https://www.pilgrimaide.com/shivalaya-ottam.html</ref>

From 2014 onwards the day was announced as a local holiday for the district.<ref name="Local Holiday">{{cite news|title=‘Sivalaya Ottam’ on|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/sivalaya-ottam-on/article5731304.ece|accessdate=16 March 2014|newspaper=The Hindu|date=27 February 2014}}</ref>

== Ottam route ==

The Ottam begins at ''Thirumalai'', the first Sivalayam and goes all through the next 10 temples before ending at ''Thirunattalam''.

{| class="wikitable" border="1"
|+ Sivalaya Ottam - Route Table
! Sl.No !! From !! Via !! To !! km
|-
| 1. || '''Thirumalai''' || Kunnathoor, Kappucaud, Vettuvanni, Marthandam, Gnaramvilai || '''Thikkurichi''' || 11.80
|-
| 2. || '''Thikkurichi''' || Chitharal, Ambalakkadai, Arumanai, Kaliyal || '''Thirpparappu''' || 12.40
|-
| 3. || '''Thirpparappu''' || Kulasekaram || '''Thirunandhikkarai''' || 8.14
|-
| 4. || '''Thirunandhikkarai''' || Kulasekaram || '''Ponmanai''' || 7.74
|-
| 5. || '''Ponmanai''' || Chithirancode, Kumarapuram, Muttacaud || '''Pannippagam''' || 10.40
|-
| 6. || '''Pannippagam''' || Saral vilai, Marunthukkottai, Padmanabhapuram || '''Kalkulam''' || 5.73
|-
| 7. || '''Kalkulam''' || Padmanabhapuram || '''Melancode''' || 3.37
|-
| 8. || '''Melancode''' || Kumaracoil Bus stop, Villukuri || '''Thiruvidaicode''' || 4.66
|-
| 9. || '''Thiruvidaicode''' || Villukuri, Thuckalay, Keralapuram || '''Thiruvithancode''' || 8.60
|-
| 10. || '''Thiruvithancode''' || Nadukkadai, Kodiyoor, Perambi, Palliyadi || '''Thirupanthicode''' || 9.21
|-
| 11. || '''Thirupanthicode''' || - || '''Thirunattalam''' || 4.08
|}

== Rituals ==

Special pujas will be conducted at temple at ''Thirumalai''. The ritual begin after the devotees taking a holy-dip in the [[Thamirabarani River|Thamirabharani]] river at [[Munchirai]], the first Sivalayam. The participants wear saffron robes, hold a palm-leaf fan on their hand and chant the mantra '' "Govinda... Gopaala..." '' all through the whole day of running. The pilgrims receive the holy ashes, ''"Thiruneer"'' from all the eleven temples. The purpose for the pilgrimage is believed to be fulfilled only by receiving the Sandal-paste from the final ''Sankaranarayanar Temple'' at Thirunattalam. After this, it is also told that a worship at [[Adi Kesava Temple]] at [[Thiruvattar]] nearby is also very useful after this ceremony. The objective of the pilgrimage is to uphold that [[Shiva|Siva]] and [[Vishnu]] are both the manifestations of one supreme being.{{fact|date=July 2020}}

Before, the devotees observes a one-week fast. [[Tender coconut]] and [[Palmyra|Tender palmyra]] in the day time and [[tulsi]]-water at night are the only food items taken by the devotees during the [[fasting]] days.{{fact|date=July 2020}}

==See also==

* [https://drive.google.com/open?id=1gdXlElr6Rs_cb5JnbTXOR21zVz1NFIXa&usp=sharing Google Earth Project - Sivalaya Ottam]

* [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.nxrams.shivarathriapp - Shivarathri App]

==References==

*http://www.hindudevotionalblog.com/2012/02/story-of-sivalaya-ottam.html
*http://sivalayaottam.blogspot.in/p/history.html

==Citations==

{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Hindu behaviour and experience]]
[[Category:Hinduism in Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Hinduism in Kerala]]
[[Category:Hindu rituals]]

{{Hinduism-stub}}

[[ta:சிவாலய ஓட்டம்]]

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