Thiruppudaimarudhur Narumboonatha Swamy Temple, Thirunelveli

Address

Thiruppudaimarudhur,

Thirunelveli District – 627 426

Phone: +91 – 4634 – 287244

Mobile: +91 – 98596 77070 / 99411 28535

Moolavar

Narumboonatha Swamy

Amman

Rudraksha Gomathi

Introduction

Narumboonatha Swamy Temple is dedicated to God Shiva located at Thiruppudaimarudhur village located near Ambasamudram in Thirunelveli District of Tamilnadu. The 1800 year old temple comprises of the architectural styles of the Pandiyans, Chera, Chola and Vijayanagara dynasties. This Temple is located in a picturesque place opposite the spot where the River Kadana and River Tamirabarani merge. The Temple covers an area of about 6 acres of land. Thiruppudaimarudhur Temple’s compound walls measure 575 feet in length.

Thiruppudaimarudhur Temple’s lingam is uniquely tilted. The deity, Narmboonathar with Goddess Rudraksha Gomathi resides in this temple. Devotees throng to this temple in search of cures for chronic ailments. The temple has 5 praharams and 6 times worship services take place daily. It is considered best to worship this Shiva on the day of Pushya star. The temple as such, the bathing Ghat and the surrounding locations are beautiful and popular film shooting spots. The temple Nandavanam adjacent to the temple itself is a declared bird sanctuary, though tiny.

Puranic Significance

Surendara Moksha Theertham:

There was a king called Surendra who killed another king in a battle. He was affected by the sin and wanted to get rid of it. He meditated Shiva. Lord Shiva gave him a Brahmadhand and told that this will go to sea and get back to land; wherever it stops you build a temple. He built the temple. Also the Lord asked him to travel to Himalayas to search for a statue of Mother Gomathi. He did search and found which was completely made of Rudraksha. With that, he completed building the temple. He bathed in Thamirabarani River near the temple and got salvation. This is called “Surendara Moksha Theertham”. It is believed that if one takes bath there, all sorts of sins is dissolved including “Brahmahatti Dosha”.

Indra got cured of Brahmahatti Dosha here:

Indira, the king of Devas once held Jupiter in high esteem as his Guru. As Jupiter did not give much respect to him, he adopted Viswarupan a demon as his Guru then. Indira came to know that Viswarupan was more concerned with the welfare of his own community ignoring that of the Devas and performing yagnas for the demons. Indira simply killed Viswarupan by strangulating his neck and incurred the Brahmahatti sin for committing the murder. Indira came to this place with his wife Indirani, bathed in the Surendra Moksha Theertha on the banks of Tambiraparani, performed penance on Lord Shiva and got relieved of the sin.

Leaning Posture of Lord Shiva:

Karuvur Chithar, celebrated Shiva devotee came to this place to worship Shiva. When he reached the northern bank of Tambiraparani, the river was in full flow and could not cross the river to reach the temple. He spoke to Lord Shiva saying, “Being in the midst of Marudha trees spilling fragrance from their flowers, can’t you help me to reach you.” Lord just leaned on a side to hear Chithar more clearly keeping his hand on the ears. The Lord advised Karuvur Chithar to simply cross the river with his thoughts resting on him. Chithar did so and worshipped the Lord to his full satisfaction. As the Lord leaned on a side to hear Chithar, He is found leaning on a side.

Shiva appeared to Manu from Marudham Tree:

Sage Agasthiyar requested the son of Brahma, Manu to visit this place. At that time, the three goddesses —Saraswathi, Lakshmi and Bhoomadevi were worshipping Lord Shiva. When Manu appeared, the goddess hid themselves in the Arjuna tree called Maruthamaram in Tamizh. When Manu wanted to destroy the tree Shiva intervened and prevented him from doing so. The town and temple take their name from this tree and is called as Thiruppudaimarudhur.

Idol of Goddess Gomati:

The idol of Goddess Gomati is made up of Rudraksha and it was brought here from Komal hills as per the advice from a divine voice.

Equivalent to Kasi:

The Devas – those in the celestial world – once begged the Lord to show them a place on earth equal to Kasi-Varanasi. Lord asked them to place his Brahmmadanda on the floor which moved towards River Tambiraparani and stood at Tirupudaimarudur where the temple stands today. Lord Shiva said that the place where the Brahmmadanda stopped was the place equal to Kasi.

Beliefs

People pray to the Lord for removal of obstacles in marriage proposals and evil aspects on children, cure from prolonged illness, solution for problems in family, for prosperity in family, for excellence in academic pursuit, and development in business. Devotees perform special abishek with silk clothing and other pujas to Lord and Mother to realize their prayers. They also offer sari and bangles to Mother, tie cradles, offering sweet porridge to Mother as Nivedhana. Devotees come here seeking cures for ailments

Special Features

Tirupudaimarudur Narumboonatha Swamy Temple is one of the biggest temples in Southern Tamilnadu. This massive temple with excellent stone sculptures is located on the bank of Thamirabarani River in a beautiful location. The temple has all the four styles of temple architectures namely Pandiya, Chera, Chola and Vijayanagara which add beauty for this glorious Temple. The temple has 5 praharams and 6 times worship services take place daily. It is considered best to worship this Shiva on the day of Pushya star.

Otherwise, this large temple might have another stunning tower. There is a huge open space between the two towers. A small beautiful pillared mandapa is located in front of the mottai gopuram. Presiding Deity is called as Narmboonathar / Pudargeneswarar and Mother is called as Gomathi Ambal. Both Ambal and Swami are Swayambu. Sthala Vriksham is Marudha Tree and Theertham is Thamirabarani River. Lord Shiva, a Swayambumurthy graces leaning on a side slightly. There are scars of a sickle cut on the head and a hit of deer on the chest. Urchavar is called as Bhoonathar

Both Ambal and Swami are Swayambu. Lord Shiva, a Swayambumurthy graces leaning on a side slightly. There are scars of a sickle cut on the head and a hit of deer on the chest. Urchavar is called as Bhoonathar

The Marudham tree where the Lord graced the king with his darshan is still behind the Tambiraparani River left to the Vinayaka temple. Lord Vinayaka graces in the name of Anukkai Vinayaka. Pure rice is offered as Nivedhana to the Lord.

A long and broad hall covered with a ceiling on top and supported by a lot of pillars found with carvings is located once you enter into the temple. In this mandapa (hall), the flag staff (dhwajastambha) and Bali peetha is located facing the sanctum sanctorum. Two small idols Dwaja Ganapathi and Dwaja Subramanya are found near the flag staff.

Tamirabarani River: Tamirabarani River is flowing on the backside of the temple. On its banks, there are two separate shrines – one is dedicated to Ganesha and in another shrine has part of the holy tree Marudha where the deity was discovered originally. Currently, a four-armed Shiva idol is installed here. The roof of this shrine is slope, somewhat similar to that of Kerala type architecture.

Outer Prakara:

The outer prakara is more like a garden with so many trees and plants. Under a particular holy tree, the idols of Shiva Linga, Ambal, Ganesha and Nandi are found.

Stone Nataraja: In Thiruppudaimarudhur Temple you can find a stone figure of Lord Nataraja, the dancing form of Shiva, which is very unusual. Usually it is a bronze image in most temples. The south facing figure of Lord Nataraja is in a spacious and open sanctum in the northeast corner of the prakaram or compound along with his consort, Shivakamasundari. The saint Patanjali, the codifier of Yoga, and Vyakrapada are placed next to the stone deity. Vyakrapada was blessed by Lord Nataraja with tiger feet to prevent his feet from getting injured by thorns when he was picking fresh flowers untouched even by honeybees. Placed on a rectangular pedestal, the rare stone figure of Nataraja is over 2 meters in height. The Nataraja proper is probably at least 1.60 high. The pedestal is buildup of traditional mouldings such as an upana, the lowest visible part of the pedestal; upapitha, additional moulded platform; the padmabandha—the top of the shaft of a pillar with decorative bands between rows of lotus petals, separating the shaft from the capital; and kapota—overhanging cornice. The prabha (circle of flames) is round and heavy with several layers of rims. Two makaras (crocodiles) with large mouths and tails are clear elements that are visible above a kind of base. Two makaras also occupy the top of the prabha, with a medallion placed in between. This is topped with a huge flame or shikhara. The Apasmara (dwarf trampled underfoot) lies with his head towards the right and wears a kind of diadem and flame or fan-shaped crown. He holds a large naga (cobra) in the hand that raises its head up to Shiva’s left foot. The jata, or locks of hair, ripples around the head and ears and on the shoulders. Shiva wears a kind of diadem and crown. From the head two struts connect it to what seem to be streamers from the mouth of the makaras which form some kind of decoration under the prabha. The body is sculpted beautifully and free from the stone background. Around the legs the background stone has been removed to leave open space. The sculptor has even carved away the stone between the earrings and the shoulders. A strut seems to have been left in place to support the lower hands. The upper right hand holds the damaru (drum) and the upper left hand holds a small vessel from which the flame blazes forth.

Inner Prakara:

Some of the idols found in the inner prakara around the main shrine: · Ganesha · 63 Nayanmars · Karuvur Siddhar · Kasi Lingam with his consort · Rameswarar Lingam with his consort · Tritiya Lingams – three Shiva Lingas · Chadur Lingams – four Shiva Lingas · Ganesha · Maha Vishnu with folded hands · Subramanya with folded hands · Big Jwara Deva · Big Sapta Matas · Krishna · Yoga Dhakshinamoorthi · Saneeswara · Saraswathi · Sahashra Linga

The prakara is full of pillars and half of the region has a kind of raised platform called ‘thinnai’. Some of the sub-shrines found in the inner prakara: · Ganesha – very beautiful idol · Subramanya on top of peacock with his consorts Valli and Devasena · Utsava idols of Uma and Maheshwara – sitting posture · Chandikeswara The niche sculptures found on the main shrine walls: · Shiva Linga · Dhakshinamoorthi · Vishnu and Mahalakshmi in the sitting posture · Brahma with folded hands · Durga

Main Shrine:

The main shrine is very long and divided into Moolasthanam (sanctum sanctorum), Ardha Mandapa and Maha Mandapa. The Moolasthanam has big Shiva Linga named as Pudaar Jeeneshwararaka Narumbunathar. He is found slightly leaned towards his left side. The marks of deer hit and sickle cut are found on his body. The reasons for his leaning posture and the marks are given in the legends section. At the entrance of Ardha Mandapa, a pair of Dwarapalas is located. Also, the idols of Anugnai Vinayakar and Bala Subramanya are found here. The entrance of Maha Mandapa has another pair of Dwarapalas sculptures. The mandapa has a big subshrine with a lot of Utsava (metal) idols such as Nataraja-Sivakami, Shiva Linga, Bhikshatana, Ganesha, Chandrasekhar, 63 Nayanmars, etc. Nandi is found in the mandapa facing towards the main deity. The hall has so many beautiful pillars having lion faces on their upper sides. There is another Nandi facing towards the main Shiva Linga.

Gomati Amman Shrine:

The Goddess of the temple is Gomati. She is very tall and beautiful; her idols are made up of Rudraksha. She is holding parrot in her right arm. Her shrine is equally big similar to that of Narumbunathar and three sections – moolasthanam, Ardha Mandapa and Maha Mandapa. At the entrance of Maha Mandapa, the idols of Ganesha and Subramanya are located. Nandi is found in the maha mandapa facing towards the Goddess. There is an exterior mandapa with a lot of pillars with carvings. Normally the Goddess shrine is located to the left side of the main shrine. In this temple, the Goddess’ shrine is located to the right side of the main shrine, which is very rare. At the main entrance of the Goddess temple, the sub-shrines of Ganesha, Subramanya-Valli-Devasena and Bhoodathar (in the form a tomb like structure) are all located.