Nalladai Sri Agneeswarar Temple- Bharani Nakshatra

Address

Sri Agneeswarar Temple, Nalladai – 609306

Diety

Agneeswarar or Bharaninathar, Amman: SundaraNayaki

Introduction

Agnishwarar Temple, located at Nalladai in Nagapatnam District in Tamil Nadu, is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is around 15 km from Mayiladuthurai. The temple is popularly known as Nalladai Sivan Temple. There are three entrances with majestic Kopuras (Towers). It is a bygone temple built in 1147. The sanctum sanctorum has Lord Siva surrounded by water in order to cool down the heat from the idol. This is one among 27 Nakshatra temples. Bharani star people are advised to visit this temple at least once in their life time. As the idol here is facing west the devotees are twice blessed. It is unusual to see the lord facing West and that’s why this temple attracts more people and is also consider being more powerful and pious.

Puranic Significance

Sage Mruganda Maharishi held a mass Yaga for the lord Nalladai. The public offered three silk clothes as their contribution to the Yaga. The sage got it from them and hurled those clothes in to the fire pit. The people were bewildered and asked the sage why he threw their beloved offerings into the fire, Sage with a warm smile asked them to see inside the sanctum. When they entered the sanctum sanctorum they were taken aback to see those silk clothes draped around the Lord. Seeing their amused faces the sage explained that all types of Agni and Bharani Rudrani are all one and they have the power of delivering our offerings to the Lord directly, hence why this temple is devoted to Bharani star.

Beliefs

People born in Bharani star pray in this temple in particular for relief from bad planetary effects. People also pray for wedding proposal, child boon and other benefits. As the temple faces west, it is believed that praying here would bring great benefits to the devotee.

Festivals

Many festivals are commemorated every year among them Aippasi Annabishekam, Karthigai somawar, Arundra Dharshan, Margali poojai, Maha Sivarathiri, Panguni uthiram and Thai poosam are some of the famous ones.