Thenur Nandikeswarar Temple, Perambalur

Address

Thenur Nandikeswarar Temple, Thenur viallge, Perambalur District- 621114

Diety

Nandikeswarar Amman: Mahasampath Gowri

Introduction

Nandikeswarar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Thenur Village in Alathur Taluk in Perambalur District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Nandikeswarar and Mother is called as Mahasampath Gowri. The Temple is considered as Thevara Vaippu Sthalam as Devaram hymns sung by Appar and Sambandar had a mention about this Temple. The place was also called as Madhuvapuri.

Puranic Significance

Beliefs

People pray to Lord and Mother to get rid of severe stomach pain, Rheumatism and bowel syndrome

Special Features

This is an east facing temple with entrances on eastern and southern side. Nandi, Balipeedam and Dwajastambam can be found facing the sanctum, located in the outer prakaram. The Sanctum Sanctorum consists of Maha Mandapam, Artha Mandapam and Sanctum. Idols of Thuraiyur Jamin and his wife can be found in the pillars of Maha Mandapam. Both of them are in praying posture facing towards sanctum. There is a beautiful sculpture of Sarabeswarar in the Vithana of middle portion of Maha Mandapam. Sarabeswarar is seen with three legs, with body and face of a lion and a tail. It has four human arms, the right upper hand holds axe, noose is held in the lower right hand, the deer in the upper left hand and fire in the lower left hand. Narasimha is shown worshipping Sarabeswarar. Near to Sarabeswarar icon, miniature sculpture of Suryan, Chandran and Devas worshipping Nakshatra shaped rim can be found. Sculpture of four headed Brahma holding Akshara Mala and Kendi in his hands can be found to the left side. Thenur Varagavi Songs were etched on the entrance of Artha Mandapam. Dwarapalakas can be found at the entrance of sanctum. Presiding Deity is called as Nandikeswarar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. Sun rays will fall on Lingam during 27, 28 and 29 of Dhanur Month.Vinayaga, Dakshinamoorthy, Lingothbhava, Brahma and Durga are the Koshta Idols located around the sanctum walls. Chandikeswarar can be found in his usual location. There is an inscription dated to 17th Century AD on the right-side wall of the sanctum. It records a gift of a devotee from Thuraiyur. Inscriptions can be found on the walls of Artha Mandapam and Sanctum. Mother is called as Mahasampath Gowri. She is housed in a separate south facing shrine. She is in standing posture. She is having four hands, holding lotus in top two hands and showing Abhaya and Varada Hastha in the lower two hands. There are five Koshta Idols of Amman, located on the shrine walls. Jeeva Samadhi of Mahan Guru Moorthy can be found behind the sanctum. It is situated on the south west corner of the Temple premises. Pathala Lingam, similar to Thiruvannamalai Temple, can be found near the Jeeva Samadhi. This Shrine is situated below ground and houses a Lingam, brought from Kasi. This shrine is good to do meditation. There are shrines of Niruthi Ganapathy, Krishna, Lord Murugan with his consorts Valli & Deivanai, Kasi Viswanathar, Nataraja, Navagrahas, Chandran and Suryan can be found in the south west corner of the Temple premises. A Theertha Well can also be found in the south west corner of the Temple premises.