Seeyathamangai Sri Ayavandeeswarar Temple, Nagapattinam

Address

Seeyathamangai Sri Ayavandeeswarar Temple, Seeyathamangai, Nagapattinam District, Tamil Nadu 609702 PH:04366-270073

Diety

Ayavandeeswarar Amman: Ubaya pushpa vilochani/ Malarkkannammai

Introduction

Seeyathamangai Ayavandeeswarar Temple is located at Seeyathamangai in Nagapattinam district, Tamil Nadu, India. Seeyathamangai is also written as Siyathamangai and Tiruchaathamangai. The temple is dedicated to Shiva, as the presiding deity, in his manifestation as Ayavantheeswarar. His consort, Parvati, is known as Malarkkannammai. It is one of the shrines of the 276 Paadal Petra Sthalams – Shiva Sthalams glorified in the early medieval Tevaram poems by Tamil Saivite Nayanar Tirugnanasambandar. It is one of the shrines of the Vaippu Sthalams sung by Tamil Saivite Nayanar Appar. Theertham: Chandra Theertham.

Puranic Significance

The place is called Sathamangai and the temple is called Ayavantheesam in the scriptures. Lord was called as Ayavanthi Udaiyar in one of the Chola era inscriptions. Sathamangai got corrupted to Seeyathamangai, as it is called today. Tiruneelanakka Nayanar was a Nayanar saint, venerated in the Hindu sect of Shaivism. He is generally counted as the twenty-eighth in the list of 63 Nayanars. He is described as a contemporary of Sambandar (first half of the 7th century CE), one of the most prominent Nayanars. The life of Tiruneelanakka Nayanar is described in the Tamil Periya Puranam by Sekkizhar (12th century), which is a hagiography of the 63 Nayanars. One of the most prominent Nayanars, Sundarar (8th century) venerates Tiruneelanakka Nayanar in the Tiruthonda Thogai, a hymn to Nayanar saints, calling him Nilanakkan of Sattamangai. A hymn by Sambandar also honours him. Tiruneelanakka Nayanar was born in Thirusathamangai, an important town in the Chola kingdom. The town is currently called Seeyathamangai.Tiruneelanakka was born in a family of Brahmins (priest caste), whose duty was to recite the Vedic scriptures. An expert in the Vedas, he was a staunch devotee of Lord Shiva and served his devotees, by washing their feet and welcoming them to his home. He used to worship in the temple as the Agamic texts. Once on the day of Poornima (the full moon day), Tiruneelanakka and his wife went to the Shiva shrine. While Tiruneelanakka was performing his daily ritual worship of the Lingam (the aniconic form of Shiva worshipped as the central icon in temples), a spider fell from his web on the lingam.The wife blew away the spider, wherein some saliva could have fallen on the Lingam. In some versions, she goes a step further and spits on the spot where the spider falls. This action was in accordance with the tradition of spitting on a part of a child where the spider fell so as the poison of the spider does not spread in the body. Tiruneelanakka considered her action blasphemous and asked the wife what she had done. She replied she just blew away the spider as per tradition. The infuriated Brahmin said that she had contaminated the lingam by her saliva, as per Agamic scriptures and she should have removed the spider by some other means. The Brahmin offered rituals to purify the lingam and apologized to the god. Further, he abandoned his wife in fury. While the wife spent her night in the temple, Tiruneelanakka went home and slept. Lord Shiva appeared in Tiruneelanakka’s dream. While a part of the body was normal, rest of it was swollen by the spider’s poison. Lord Shiva remarked that his normal area was where Tiruneelanakka’s wife had blown / spat.Tiruneelanakka realized that devotion (love) was superior to rituals. In the dawn, he went dancing to the temple and worshipped Ayavandeeswarar. He returned with his wife. Tiruneelanakka continued to serve Shiva and his devotees with love. Having heard of the child saint Sambandar’s glories, Tiruneelanakka visited to meet him in person. Tiruneelanakka heard that the Nayanar Sambandar accompanied by another Nayanar Tiru Neelakanta Yazhpanar and an entourage of devotees were coming to Thirusathamangai. Tiruneelanakka decorated Thirusathamangai for welcoming Sambandar and hosted him at his home. He honoured Sambandar with due respect. Tiruneelanakka made numerous arrangements for Sambandar to spend the night at his house. Sambandar also suggested that Yazhpanar and his wife, who were travelling minstrels and composed music to Sambandar’s hymns to be given accommodation. The caste-conscious host was uneasy inviting the Shudra (low-caste) couple of Tiru Neelakanta Yazhpanar and his wife home. After insistence by Sambandar, the host gave them a place to sleep near the Homa kunda, the fire altar used for sacrifices. The fire of Homa kunda shone brightly in the night, giving testimony to the couple’s devotion. Tiruneelanakka discerned that devotion is superior to caste barriers too. Sambandar accompanied Tiruneelanakka to the Ayavandeeswarar temple and composed a hymn in honour of the god and his host Tiruneelanakka Nayanar. Tiruneelanakka wanted to accompany Sambandar on his travels, but the child saint instructed Tiruneelanakka to stay in Thirusathamangai and serve Ayavandeeswarar and his devotees. Sambandar left and Tiruneelanakka complied. After a while, Sambandar invited Tiruneelanakka Nayanar to his wedding in Thirumana Nallur (presently known as Achalpuram). Tiruneelanakka officiated as the presiding priest of the wedding ceremony. After the wedding, Sambandar, his bride and the wedding party went the Shivaloka Thyagar Temple of Shiva, in Thirumana Nallur. Sambandar prayed to Lord Shiva, seeking salvation. Shiva appeared as a blazing flame and granted his wish. Then Sambandar, his bride and all the wedding guests, including Tiruneelanakka Nayanar merged in the Light of Shiva. An image of Tiruneelanakka Nayanar is worshipped in Ayavandeeswarar temple. Tiruneelanakka Nayanar is worshipped in the Tamil month of Vaikasi, when the moon enters the Mula nakshatra (lunar mansion). He is depicted with a crown and folded hands. He receives collective worship as part of the 63 Nayanars. Ayavandeeswarar: Lord Brahma (Ayan) worshiped Lord Siva here. Hence, Lord Shiva came to be called as Ayavandeeswarar.

Beliefs

This temple is special for those born under Moolam star. The prayers are conducted as per the Rudra Vyamala Tantra Agama. Devotees pray here in removing marriage obstacles.

Special Features

The Temple facing towards west with a five-tiered Rajagopuram. The Temple is surrounded by a granite wall on all sides. Balipeedam and Nandhi can be found immediately after the Rajagopuram, facing the sanctum. The sanctum sanctorum consists of Sanctum, Antarala and Arthamandapam. There is a stucco arch at the entrance of the sanctum sanctorum. There is a recently built Mandapam around the sanctum. Presiding Deity is called as Ayavandeeswarar / Brahmapureeswarar and is facing west. He is housed in the sanctum in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. Lord is a Swayambhu Moorthy. Blisters can be seen all over the Linga confirming the legend of Neelanakka Nayanar. Sanctum is guarded by Dvarapalas. Vinayaga and Dhandapani can be found at the entrance of the sanctum. Narthana Ganapathy, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbhavar, Brahma, Arthanareeswarar, Agasthya, Gowri Leelai, Bikshadana and Durga are the Koshta idols located around the sanctum walls. Arthanareeswarar can be seen placing his hand over the bull. Mother is called as Irumalar Kannammai / Mala.

Festivals

Thiru Neela Nakka Nayanar Guru Pooja on Vaikasi Month, Aavani Moolam in the Tamil month of Avani, Shivaratri,Aippasi Annabishekam and Margazhi Thiruvadhirai are the festivals celebrated here.