Srivaikuntam Kailasanathar Koil

Several Exquisite Sculptures dating back to the Pandya and Nayak Period are seen inside the temple 

As one enters the temple from the Eastern Entrance (and it is possible now unlike in the past), one finds two beautifully sculpted Yaali at the Alankara Mandapam. It is here that Kailasanathar and Sivagami Ambal are decorated prior to the Utsava procession.

All around this mandapam, one finds exquisite depiction of historical episodes. The 10 headed Lankan King Ravana is seen playing the Veena, something that he was renowned for. The artiste has paid special attention to featuring his 20 hands that stands extended on both sides.

Opposite this sculpture is another beautiful one of Koothapiran seen in a ‘Koothu’ posture with Nandi beating the drums, Banasura playing the Pancha Vathyam and Karaikkal Ammayar presenting the Thalam. Pathanjali Rishi is seen in a posture of invoking the blessings of the Lord. 

Another marvellous depiction is that of Veerabhadrar, seen with his right leg lifted up and the left leg placed on Dakshan, with his tail swirled around his neck.

Historically, the Brahmotsavam and the events leading up to it were celebrated in a grand manner. Prior to the flag hoisting signaling the commencement of the Brahmotsavam, there was a six day Utsavam for Badra Kali Amman, the security guard of the temple. A seppu idol of Badra Kali Amman was taken from the Kailasanathar Temple to the Badra Kali Amman Temple, located in the middle of lush green fields North West of the temple.  After aradhana at the temple there, it was brought back to the Kailasanathar temple. On succeeding days, an utsavam was organized for Pillayar, Murugan and the three great Saint Poets. Only after this series of events was the flag hoisted for the Brahmotsavam.

However, in recent decades, the Badra Kali Amman Utsavam leading up to the Brahmotsavam has been reduced to a single day utsavam!!!

Like the Horse Vahana of Azhagar Koil, the Kailasanathar Koil in Srivaikuntam has come to be renowned for the Bhootha Nathar Vahana. The story goes that unprecedented floods in the Tamaraibarani in the early 18^th century wiped out the entire Sepparai temple, west of Srivaikuntam. The Bhootha Nathar Vahana with an inscription on it was washed ashore at Sri Vaikuntam near the Kailasanathar temple.
The entire village of Sepparai accepted the episode as Lord’s wish of handing over Bhootha Nathar Vahana to the Sri Vaikuntam temple. From that day, this Vahana has been seen as God’s gift to Sri Vaikuntam. The 4 ½ feet tall Bhootha Nathar is seen with a big moustache with his two hands facing the sky. It is only after the presentation of respects to Bhootha Nathar, Brahmotsavam begins at this temple. A garland of Vadai and Puliyotharai is presented to Bhootha Nathar. One of the special features is that Bhootha Nathar is seen in a separate sannidhi, such is the importance accorded to him at this temple.

On the third day of the Brahmotsavam, the Lord goes on a grand street procession atop Bhootha Nathar.

The temple whose legend dates back to Sage Agastya and his disciple Romasa Rishi has seen renovation and several improvements during the Pandya and Nayak periods. During the British rule, it was here in Sri Vaikuntam that the entire paddy collected from the region as tax was stored.  Veera Pandya Kattabomman’s team picked up the stored paddy as a mark of protest against the British tyranny in collecting tax from the TN farmers.

Over 600 years ago, the Pillais of Ramnad made their way to Srivaikuntam and built a large fort near the temple. For six centuries, this had remained a strong fort until it was converted to a housing unit recently. Their descendants continue to contribute to the grand conduct of the festivals both at the Divya Desam and Kailasanathar temple in Srivaikuntam.

Safety of Women 
A unique rule  that was in force through out that period was that the women would not go out of the fort. Similarly no outside boy, aged above 5 was allowed inside the fort.

Similar to the tradition at the Ranganathaswamy Divya Desam in Srirangam of water being brought for the Lord from the sacred river, water is brought every day from the Tamaraibarani to the beating of drums for Uchchi Kala Abhishekam.

Typical of many temples in remote locations (Nava Tirupathi is an exception) several of the historical events have come to a halt in recent decades.

Historically there were two chariots including one for Ambal. The Chariot Festival was part of the grand Chitrai Brahmotsavam. The Ambal chariot has remained defunct for decades while the one dedicated to Kailasanathar has also now become dilapidated and unfit to run.

Theerthavari on Chitrai Day in Chitrai

7^th day Nataraja is seen in Red attire while on the 8^th he sports Green

Ambal goes on an inner prakara procession on each of the days of the Navarathri Utsavam in Puratasi

10 day Thiru Kalyanam Utsavama in Aipasi with the Lord providing darshan on the Theppa Kulam Stree on the 11^th day

There are several inscriptions seen on the walls of the temple dating back several centuries. These provide insights into festivals, contributions to the temple.

An inscription dating back to Veera Pandyan II to 1443 refers to contributions pooled together by the people of Sri Vaikuntam, a fund that was to be used for renovations and for Thaligai for the Lord.

Tax free Lands were donated in Varagunamangai (http://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2010/08/varagunamangai-divya-desam.html),  a km east of the temple, income from which was to be used for the maintenance of the temple

An inscription dating to 1438AD records that tax free lands were donated in Varagunamangai to provide for rice (for Thaligai), flower garlands and sandal for ‘Daily Saathupadi’ for the Lord (to facilitate the beautiful alankaram).

Inscriptions from that period refer to this place as Rajendra Chaturvedi Mangalam and the temple as Kailasa Nayanar Koil.

Another inscription records the presentation of 4 Naazhi rice each to the priest and to his son for the performance of their service at the temple.