Papanasam

The river Tamraparni reaches the plains at Papanasam. Over the Papanasam junction, the Papanasam Hydro, Electric Plant with the Upper and Lower Dams has been constructed in recent years.

 Papanasam is at the foot of the mountain ranges, and the bed is rocky. The temple is famous for the absolution of all sins committed by human beings; hence the name Papanasam (or Papa Vinasanam).

At the foot of the fall is, as might be expected, a shrine dedicated to Agastis-wara. Rishi Agastya to whom Siva gave darsan in the South while he was married to Parvati in Kailas. Agastya is brought every year from his shrine to witness the marriage of the God and Goddess of the local temple.

The following legend is told about the sacredness of the shrine. To the Hindu the great attraction of the waterfall is its power (as illustrated by many stories) of washing away human sins.

 Among the best ‘known of these tales is one which relates how at one time there lived near this place a Pandya king. He was converted to Buddhism and oppressed his people so severely that many fled the country.
                       


 Bidding them clothe themselves in black and wander in search of expiation to all the bathing-places of the earth, the wise added that in the place where their black clothes turned white, they would have their salvation. After many years they came to Papanasam and bathed in the river. Their clothes turned white; God appeared and granted them the blessing of ever-lasting happiness.

The chief deity of the temple is Papavinaseswarar. There are several mandaparns, (halls) and choultries (resting houses) here. The Place is a small village. The river runs from Rocky Mountains on big boulders.

 Fish of all sizes and of golden hue abound in the water and the pilgrims feed them during their visit to the temple in fulfillment of their vows taken for recovery from their illness.

Nobody catches the fish. The story goes that a European, who did not know the holiness of the fish at this sacred place, hooked one of them and, for the violation of the sanctity, suffered a lot. It is said that if the fish are caught from this river they turn into blood and injure the eye-sight of the persons who eat them.

 The fish are quite harmless and they come in shoals very near the bathers as if wishing to be fed by them. Fried peas are readily available iii the shops close by for feeding them. Monkey, abound here in large numbers.

The Lower Dam on Papanasam is a picturesque spot giving a xinoramic view of a wide area at the foot of the hill. It is an excellent place for a picnic party.

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