Nemam Airavatheswarar Temple, Thanjavur

Address

Nemam Airavatheswarar Temple, Nemam, Thirukattupalli (Via) Budalur Taluk, Thanjavur District- 613104.

Diety

Airavatheswarar / Parijatha Vaneswarar / Brahmapureeswarar / Indirapureeswarar Amman: Alangaravalli

Introduction

Airavatheswarar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Nemam Village near Thirukattupalli in Budalur Taluk in Thanjavur District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Airavatheswarar / Parijatha Vaneswarar / Brahmapureeswarar / Indirapureeswarar and Mother is called as Alangaravalli. The Temple is believed to be 1000 years old. The Temple is considered as Thevara Vaippu Sthalam as Devaram hymns sung by Appar.

Puranic Significance

Nemam was called as Niyamam in ancient times. Ancient Niyamam consisted of present day Elangadu, Ujjaini and Nemam. Nemam Airavatheswarar Temple and Elangadu Shiva Temple are the only remnants of ancient citadel. This Temple is believed to be built by Aditya Chola. Due to the curse of Sage Narada, Ramba, a celestial nymph, took a human form and was performing penance in this place. Indra sent his vehicle Airavata, a white elephant, to bring her back to Indraloka. Airavata failed to take her back as she was worshipping Lord Shiva of this Temple. Then, Airavata forcefully tried to abduct Ramba but failed miserably. On seeing the situation, Lord Indra himself came and worshipped Lord Shiva. He also requested Lord Shiva to send Ramba back to the heavenly abode and also to forgive Airavata. Compassionate Lord Shiva allowed Indra to take Ramba back to Indra Loga and Airavata. Hence, Lord Shiva forgave Airavata, he came to be called as Airavatheswarar.

Special Features

This is an east facing Temple. The Temple architecture follows a mix of Pallava and Chola styles. Pallava Era Nandi and Bali Peedam can be found facing the sanctum. Nandi in this Temple can be found in an underground pit. This Pit is about 3 feet deep. The Sanctum Sanctorum consists of Maha Mandapam, Artha Mandapam and Sanctum. Presiding Deity is called as Airavatheswarar / Parijatha Vaneswarar / Brahmapureeswarar / Indirapureeswarar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. The sanctum sanctorum is of Agazhi type – Agazhi is a deep-water canal about 3 ft deep and two feet wide. Koshta Idols of Vishnu and Brahma are ancient idols, can be dated back to Pallava Period. Mother is called as Alangaravalli. She is housed in a separate south facing shrine. Her shrine is situated in the Maha Mandapam. Her shrine is actually two shrines combined together. One houses Alangaravalli and the other houses Adhi Alangaravalli. Idols and shrines of Vinayaga, Lord Murugan with his consorts Valli & Deivanai, Navagrahas, Chandikeswarar, Bhairavar and Suryan can be found in the temple premises. There are two inscriptions found in this Temple. One inscription is dated to 24th regnal year of Rajakesarivarman, i.e., Aditya Chola I. It mentions a gift of five Kalanju of gold by Adigal Kandan Marambavai, the queen of the Pallava King Nandivarman III. The other inscription is a much-damaged inscription dated to 18th regnal year of Parantaka Chola I on a stone slab built into a doorway of the south wall of the temple.