Neravy Kumaran Temple (Arunanandeeswarar Shiva Temple), Karaikal

Address

Neravy Kumaran Temple (Arunanandeeswarar Shiva Temple), Karaikal

Neravy, Thirunallar Panchayat,

Karaikal District,

Tamil Nadu 609604

Moolavar

Arunanandeeswarar

Amman

Anandavalli

Introduction

• Location: The Neravy Kumaran (Arunanandeeswarar) Temple is situated in Neravy Village, Thirunallar Panchayat, Karaikal District, Tamil Nadu. The village is home to two Shiva temples: Jambunathar Temple and Arunanandeeswarar Temple, with the latter located to the north of the former.
• Presiding Deity: The main deity is Arunanandeeswarar (Lord Shiva), and the Goddess is Anandavalli.

Puranic Significance

• Temple Age: The temple is believed to be 800 years old, with a history of being a much larger temple before it was renovated on a smaller scale.
• Rediscovery of Idols: In 1989, during excavation work to repair the temple premises, eleven statues were found, which were likely hidden for safekeeping. In 2015, a Kudamulukku (a special ritual) was conducted to mark the temple’s continued reverence and importance.
• Temple Structure:
  • The Lord Arunanandeeswarar is enshrined as a small Lingamurti facing east, while the Goddess Anandavalli faces the south.
  • In front of the deity, a Nandi (sacred bull) faces the sanctum.
  • There are various deities in the temple’s precincts:
    • Two Nayaks on one side of the gate.
    • Murugan with Valli and Theivanai on the other.
    • Karurai (Vinayagar, Tenmugan, Lingotpavar, Brahman, and Durga).
    • A Lingam is housed in a separate shed in the north-east.
• Legend of Lord Arunanandeeswarar:
  • Lord Arunanandeeswarar is named after the celestial being Aruna, who controls the intense heat of the Sun.
  • The legend of Svarabhanu (the demon) explains the temple’s significance. As per the myth:
    • During the churning of the ocean (Samudra Manthan), the gods sat in the front row to consume the nectar of immortality, while Svarabhanu, a demon, tricked his way into the row of gods.
    • Vishnu, in the form of Mohini, struck Svarabhanu, splitting his body into two: a snake’s body and a human head.
    • His body went to Thirumala, where he performed penance. Pleased with his devotion, Vishnu accepted his penance and allowed him to take the form of a snake-headed man.
    • Svarabhanu became angry with the Sun and caused an eclipse, obscuring its light. He hid the Sun, and during this time, Aruna was sent to control the heat of the Sun.
    • Aruna, the elder brother of the Sun’s charioteer, is said to rise before the Sun, and thus, the temple is named after Aruna.
    • The temple, called Arunanandeeswarar, signifies the cooling power of Aruna over the Sun’s scorching heat, and is known for granting several spiritual and material benefits to devotees.

References

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com

Century/Period

1989

Nearest Bus Station

Neravy

Nearest Railway Station

Karaikal    

Nearest Airport

Puducherry

Location on Map

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