Sri Mahalakshmiswarar Temple- Anusham Nakshatra

Address

Sri Mahalakshmiswarar Temple, Tirunindriyur – 609 118, Tirunindriyur Post, Via. S S Nallur, Sirkazhi Taluk, Nagapattinam district. Phone: +91 4364 – 320 520

Deity

Mahalakshmiswarar Amman: Ulaganayaki

Introduction

Location: Tirunindriyur, Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu.
Deity: Lord Shiva, worshipped as Sri Mahalakshmiswarar.
Special Connection: Dedicated to Anusham (Anuradha), the 17th nakshatra (birth star) among the 27 nakshatras.
Traits of Anusham Nakshatra Individuals:
- Command respect among relatives and society.
- Hold high positions and are often honored by the government.
- Skilled in understanding others’ thoughts and behaving tactfully.
- Interested in diverse fields, physically strong, sincere, and professionally successful.
- May show reserved behavior in conversations.

Puranic Significance

Chola King and the Lamp Incident:
- A Chola king worshipped Lord Nataraja daily in Chidambaram. While passing this place, the wick of his lamp would extinguish but relight on its own after crossing this location.
- The shepherd revealed the presence of a Shivalinga in the area. When the king tried to relocate the linga, it began bleeding.
- A temple was constructed on the same spot on an Anusham star day.
Etymology of the Place Name:
- “Tirinindriyur” comes from “Tiri” (wick) as the lamp stopped burning.
- Also known as “Tirunindravur,” as Mother Mahalakshmi (Tiru-Mahalakshmi) worshipped here.
Navagraha Shrine: Unique feature where Sun and Moon face each other.
New Moon Day Rituals: People pray for the salvation of their ancestors’ souls.

Beliefs

Parihara Sthalam: The temple is a remedial site for Anusham Nakshatra individuals and those suffering from Brahmahathi dosham.
Blessings: Devotees worship here for peace, freedom from ailments, sins, and fear.
Ancestral Prayers: Special rituals are conducted on New Moon days to seek salvation for ancestors.

Special Features

Swayambumurthi: Lord Shiva in this temple is self-manifested (swayambhu).
Star-Specific Worship: Anusham Nakshatra worship is prominent in this temple.