Andanapettai Annamalaiyar Shiva Temple, Nagapattinam

Address

Andanapettai Annamalaiyar Shiva Temple, Nagapattinam

Andanapettai, Nagai circle,

Nagapattinam District,

Tamil Nadu 609601

Moolavar

Annamalaiyar

Amman

Unnaamulai Amman 

Introduction

• Andanapettai Annamalaiyar Temple is a dedicated Lord Shiva temple located in Andanapettai village, part of the Nagai circle in Nagapattinam district, Tamil Nadu.
• The temple is situated in the center of the town, with its entrance facing east, and features a three-storied Rajagopuram (gateway tower).
• The Presiding Deity of the temple is Annamalaiyar (Lord Shiva), and the Mother Goddess is Unnaamulai Amman.

Puranic Significance:

• While there is no definitive information regarding the exact time of the temple’s construction, the presence of relief-carved statues on the pillars suggests its historical significance, similar to the famous Thiruvannamalai temple.
• This temple serves as an alternative for devotees who are unable to visit Thiruvannamalai, offering a similar experience and worship.
• The original structure of the temple was completely damaged over time, and the present temple is believed to be more than 1000 years old.

Temple Structure and Features:

• Natarajar Mandapam: On the right side of the gopuram, towards the south, is a large Natarajar Darshan Mandapam, offering a view of Lord Shiva in his cosmic dance pose.
• The temple has magnificent multi-plane structures, featuring a high surrounding wall.
• The sanctum of the Lord is positioned towards the east, with a Maha Mandapam in front of it. There are several significant features surrounding the sanctum:
  • Nandi (the bull, Lord Shiva’s vehicle) stands in front.
  • Copper Flagpole and altar follow, with Navagrahas (Nine Planets) arranged on a wide platform next to the flagpole.
  • Vinayaka (Lord Ganesha) and Thandayuthapani (Lord Murugan) are enshrined in the upper floors of the Maha Mandapam gate.
  • The temple structures are made of stone up to the Prastram (outer roof), with the Vimana (tower) constructed in brick.
• Thiagaraja Shrine: To the left of the main sanctum is the shrine dedicated to Thiagaraja, which holds a significant presence and is considered a private shrine. It is honored with numerous relics and is a special feature of the temple.
• Additional Shrines:
  • Lingotbhava is enshrined in the west.
  • Brahman and Durga are located in the north.
  • A long Thirumalapatti (a type of worship area) in the west houses the shrine of Kannimoola Ganapati.
  • Shetravanayaka, Kashiviswanathar, Arunachaleswarar, Vallitheivanai, and Subramaniya are also enshrined in the east circuit.
  • Gajalakshmi is found in the same region, while Shani Bhagavan is located to the north.
  • Bhairava offers his blessings in a separate sanctum in the west.
• Sandesar is nearby, and the Salai Mandapam can be found in the north-east corner.

Special Features:

• The temple contains several unique shrines and has a distinctive multi-tiered structure that provides a harmonious blend of architectural elements in its design.
• The temple has a rich historical and religious significance, with associations to Lord Shiva, Mother Goddess Unnaamulai, and various other deities.

Festivals:

• The temple celebrates various festivals dedicated to Lord Shiva and Unnaamulai Amman, with special importance given to those that honor the cosmic dance of Nataraja and the worship of other deities within the temple complex.

Century/Period

1000 years old.

Nearest Bus Station

Andanapettai

Nearest Railway Station

Nagapattinam

Nearest Airport

Trichy

Location on Map

lightuptemple