Thandalacheri Sri Neenerinatheswarar Temple, Thiruvarur

Diety: Neenerinatheswarar, Amman:  Gnambigai
Temple Address: Thandalacheri  Sri Neenerinatheswarar Temple, Thandalacherry  Thiruvarur , Tamil Nadu , India PH:9865844677
Open between: 06:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 04:00 AM to 08:30 AM

Introduction

Neeneri Nathar Temple is a Hindu temple located at Thandalachery in ThiruvarurDistrict of Tamilnadu. The presiding deity is Shiva. Presiding Deity is called as Neeneri Nathar / Sthira Budheeswarar and Mother is called as Gnanambika. Thandalachery is the birthplace of the Saivite saint Arivattaya Nayanar one of the 63 Nayanmars. The temple is frequented by people afflicted with leprosy. The Saivite saint Sambandar had sung praises of the temple. This is the 227th Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 110th Sthalam on the south side of River Cauvery in Chozha Nadu. Four worship services are offered each day here. The historical name of the place is Thiru Thandalai Neel Neeri. Thala Virutcham : Kurundham Theertham : Omaka theertham Agamam / Pooja : Karana Agama

Puranic Significance

The temple was constructed by the Early Chola king Kochenganan who was cured of leprosy at this place. The village of Kannandangudi had served as a Chola capital. ArivalThaya Nayanar: There was a village named Kannamangalam 2 km north of Thandalachery. This place is now called Kannandangudi, praised as the prosperity capital of the Chola kingdom. This also has the honour of the birth place of Thayanar of Velalar-farmers community. He was very kind to all Shiva devotees. It was his mission to offer Samba rice (a rich variety of rice) with Palak-Keerai in Tamil and mango pickles as Nivedhana to Lord every day. Though he had contributed for many renovations in the temple, in his opinion this Nivedhana occupied all priority. His wife also joined Nayanar in the worship. Poverty entered his life. That could not dishearten him. An employer once, he became a farm employee himself and used the wage for the Nivedhana service of Lord. As the wage rice went to the Lord, he and his wife had only the Palak – Keerai in Tamil for their food. That also fell short. They lived on mere water but were glad that they earned the rice for the Lord. Once, when Nayanar was carrying the Nivedhana to Lord, as they were exhausted due starvation, his wife fell down and when Nayanar rescued her, the basket of Nivedhana fell and scattered. As it went waste, Nayanar took the small sickle he had for cutting paddy and was about to kill himself. Shocked by the magnitude of Nayanar’s devotion, his wife held her Mangal Sutra in her hands and cried to Lord to save her from widowhood. A hand with Rudraksha appeared from the ground where the Nivedhana fell scattered and held Nayanar’s hand and prevented his attempt to kill himself. He granted darshan with Mother Parvathi to Nayanar and his wife. As Nayanar ventured to use the sickle – Aruval in Tamil, he came to be known as Arival Thaya Nayanar. Shiva quelled Koorma: Shiva is said to have quelled Koorma (Avatharam ofVishnu), and used its shell as an ornament here. Kochenganan got cured of his leprosy here: It is the staunch faith of those suffering from leprosy that their cure is a certainty if they pray in this temple. Chola king Kochenganan built a number of Mada temples for Lord Shiva. He was infected with leprosy once. He visited temples after temples praying to Lord Shiva for cure but in vain. Lord Shiva advised the king in a voice to go to a place where a stone bull will eat grass. When he came to this temple with a garland of grass for Lord, the Nandhi (Stone Bull) pulled the garland and ate it. King recalled the advice of Lord Shiva. His disease disappeared. King did many renovations to the temple.

Beliefs

Farmers pray here before commencing cultivation. Those suffering from leprosy pray to Lord for a cure after a bath in the sacred spring. Farmers contribute their yields to the temple.

Special Features

This is one of the 78 “Maadakovils”, built on an elevation, by Ko Chenkata Chola Nayanar so that elephants cannot enter the sanctum. The current temple is a result of the contributions from the Nagarathaar community. Lord in the temple is a Swayambumurthy. Presiding Deity is called as Neeneri Nathar / Sthira Budheeswarar and Mother is called as Gnanambika. Sthala Vriksham is Kurunda Tree and Theertham is Omaka Theertham. It is noteworthy that Mother Ganga, traditionally on the head of Lord Nataraja is at his feet in this temple. Sannadhi for Adhikara Nandhi is located at the entrance of Rajagopuram and the temple has no Dwajasthambam. Sannadhi for Vinayagar, Shiva Lingam, Subramaniyar, Navagrahas, Viyakrabathar & Pathanjali worshiped Lingams, Suryan, Chandran, Arivattaya Nayanar are located in the prakaram. Sculptures of Naalvar and Ko Chenkata Chozhan are located in Karuvarai front mandapam. Stucco images of Shiva in Rishabaroodar and Arivatta Nayanar killing himself with his knife can be seen in the entrance of moolavar Sannadhi. Urchava Idols of Natarajar, Naalvar, Arivatta Nayanar with his wife, Pathanjali, Viyakrabathar are in the mandapam. Durgai and Dhakshinamoorthy are in the Koshtas.

Festivals

Guru Puja of Arivaldaya Nayanar is celebrated on the Arudra star day in the month of Thai-JanuaryFebruary.

Century/Period/Age

1000-2000 years old

Saints and Singers

Thiruganamsambathar

Managed By

Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HRCE)

Best Time

காலை 9 மணி முதல் பகல் 12-30 மணி வரை

Accommodation

Thiruvarur

Nearest Bus Station

Thandalacheri

Nearest Railway Station

Thiruvarur

Nearest Airport

Trichy

Location on Map

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