Nandivaram Nandeeswarar Temple, Kanchipuram

Address

Nandivaram Nandeeswarar Temple, Nandivaram, Guduvanchery, Vandalur Taluk, Kanchipuram District – 603 202 Mobile: +91 95661 68327

Diety

Nandeeswara Amman: Soundara Nayaki

Introduction

Nandeeswarar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Nandivaram, an area in Guduvanchery in the outskirts of Chennai City in Vandalur Taluk in Kanchipuram District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding deity is called as Nandeeswarar and Mother is called as Soundara Nayaki / Azhagudai Nayagi / Azhakoleer Nayagi. The Temple is considered as Thevara Vaippu Sthalam as Devaram hymns sung by Appar had a mention about this Temple.

Puranic Significance

The Temple was built by Pallava Emperor Nandivarman in 715 CE. Lord Shiva of this temple is said to have been named after the Pallava Emperor. During the churning of the Ocean of Milk (Samudra Manthana), Mount Mandara was used as the churning rod, and Vasuki, a Nagaraja who abides on Lord Shiva’s neck, became the churning rope. During the churning process, the Halahala poison escaped from the mouth of the serpent king Vasuki. This terrified the gods and demons because the poison was so powerful that it could destroy all of creation. Despite this, the Devas and the Asuras pulled back and forth on the snake’s body alternately, causing the mountain to rotate, which in turn churned the ocean. The Devas then approached Lord Shiva for protection. Lord Shiva consumed the poison. Lord Shiva was suffering intense pain. Mother Parvati immediately places a hand on his throat, stopping the poison to flow any further, and by her Maya stopped it forever. As a result, his throat turned blue and he was henceforth called Neelakantha (the blue-throated one; Neela – blue, Kantha – throat in Sanskrit). Finally, Dhanvatri, the heavenly physician, emerged with a pot containing the amrita, the heavenly nectar of immortality. Fierce fighting ensued between the Devas and the Asuras for it. To protect it from the Asuras, Garuda took the pot and flew away from the battlefield. The Devas appealed to Vishnu, who took the form of Mohini and, as a beautiful and enchanting damsel, distracted the Asuras. Then, she took the amrita and distributed it among the Devas, who drank it. Overjoyed for having the nectar, the devas started singing, dancing and enjoying and completely forgot Lord Shiva for saving them from Halahala poison. After a while, the devas realized their mistake and sought forgiveness from Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva forgave them and danced in the middle of horns of Nandi, his vahana (mount) here. Thus, he came to be called as Nandeeswarar. The Temple This temple is facing towards east with an entrance arch on the southern side and has two prakarams. There is an entrance available at the eastern side also. Balipeedam and Nandi can be seen in the outer prakaram, facing towards the sanctum. The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, ardha mandapam and maha mandapam. Vinayaga and Murugan can be seen at the entrance of the sanctum on either side. There is a south facing Nataraja sabha in the maha mandapam. Presiding deity is called as Nandeeswarar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam on square avudaiyar. Narthana Ganapathy, Dakshinamurthy, Vishnu, Brahma and Durga are the koshta idols located around the sanctum walls. Chandikeswarar shrine can be seen in his usual location. Mother is called as Soundara Nayaki / Azhagudai Nayagi / Azhakoleer Nayagi. She is housed in a separate south facing shrine in maha mandapam. She is about 4 feet tall and is in standing posture. Simha, her mount and Balipeedam can be seen facing towards her shrine. Shrines of Valampuri Vinayaga, Murugan with his consorts Valli & Devasena, Arumugam, Gajalakshmi, Veeerabadhra, Bhairavar and Suryan can be seen in the inner prakaram. Shrines of Lord Vishnu and Navagrahas can be seen in the outer prakaram.

Special Features

Swayambhu Linga: Once upon a time, the place where the present temple located was a dense forest. A large anthill was present in the middle of this forest. A cow used to come here for grazing would halt on the anthill and shed its milk every day. The owner was shocked to see the empty udder of this cow. He enquired the cowherd about the reason of the empty udder and he was also not aware of it. Curious to know the reason behind the empty udder, he followed his cow secretly to the grazing area in the forest. He noticed his cow going near the ant hill and shed its milk automatically. The owner with the help of the cowherd excavated the ant hill and found a Shiva Linga inside it. The owner immediately went to the Pallava King Nandivarman and informed about the Shiva Linga found in the anthill. Nandivarman, a great devotee of Lord Shiva, built a temple for Lord Shiva at the same place where the Linga was found. NandiVanam / Nandikeswaram: As per legend, Nandi, the mount of Lord Shiva, worshipped Lord Shiva here. Hence, the place came to be called as NandiVanam / Nandikeswaram. Later, got corrupted to Nandivaram. Palli worshipped Lord Shiva here: As per legend, Lord Shiva of this temple was worshipped by Palli (lizard) and attained salvation here.

Festivals

Panguni Uthiram is the most famous festival celebrated here. Monthly pradoshas are also observed here. Special Abhishekams are performed to Nataraja on Chithirai Thiruvonam, Aani Uthiram, Aavani Pournami, Purattasi Pournami, Margazhi Thiruvadhirai and Masi Magam days.