Neravy Jambunathar Shiva Temple, Karaikal

Address

Neravy, Thirunallar Panchayat,

Karaikal District,

Tamil Nadu 609604

Moolavar

Jambunathar

Amman

Akilandeswari

Introduction

Jambunathar Sivan Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, located in the Neravy village, Thirunallar Panchayat, Karaikal district, Tamil Nadu. There are two Shiva temples in this town. Arunanandeeswarar temple and west of it is Jambunathar temple. Here the presiding deity is called as Jambunathar and Mother is called as Akilandeswari.

Puranic Significance

The Temple is believed to be 1000 years old. The west facing temple has no rajagopuram and gateway is decorated with marble. There is a front hall with tall black stone pillars. Beyond it is the Mahamandapam and Arthamandapam. The Lord is towards the West and the Goddess is towards the South. The Lord is a Lingamurthy of small size. In the Mahamandapam, there are Varadarajaperumal and Lakshmi sanctuaries in the north-west and Nataraja shrines in the south. Vinayagar is in the southwest. Karurai have Tenmukan and Durga. In the north-east is the Navagraga mandapam. To the west is the Bhairava Sun sanctum; adjacent to it are Ganesha, Lingapanas and Nagas in the long hall. There is a lingam under a huge tree.

Thirumalaya Rayan, who ruled the region as the representative of the Vijayanagara Empire, ruled from 1453-68. The Chola clan woman who was married to Thirumalairayan was from Urayur, and she used to worship the Lord every day. After coming to Tirumalairayanpattinam, it became impossible to worship like that. Due to her dissatisfaction, Thirkamannan established a temple here and named the Lord as Jambunath and the mother as Akilandeswari. It is said that he built 108 temples in this area only after his daughter’s illness. This place is worshiped by Lord Sun, Ravi means Sun, Lord Shiva is worshiped by the Sun, and the name of the Sun is given to this place.