Tirunedunkulam Sri Nedungalanathar Temple, Trichy

Address

Tirunedunkulam Sri Nedungalanathar Temple, Tirunedunkulam, Trichy District Pin – 620015 ph:04312-520126

Diety

Tiru Nedungala Nathar, Nitya Sundareswarar Amman: Mangala Nayaki, Oppila Nayaki

Introduction

Thirunedunkulam Nedungalanathar Temple is a Hindu temple located at Thirunedunkulam in the Trichy district of Tamil Nadu, India. The historical name of the place is Thirunedungalam. The presiding deity is Shiva, who is locally called Thirunedungalanathar. He is also known as Nithya Sundareswarar. His consort is known as Oppila Nayaki and Mangalanayaki. It is one of the shrines of the 276 Paadal Petra Sthalams, a group of Shiva Sthalams glorified in the early medieval Tevaram poems by Tamil Saivite Nayanar Tirugnanasambandar. The temple is counted as one of the temples built on the banks of River Kaveri. Thala Virutcham : Kasthuri, Arali Theertham : Agasthya, Sundara Theerthams

Puranic Significance

Devotees know that Lord Shiva is praised as Artha Nareeswara as He had parted His left part with Mother Parvathi. While Lord Shiva is seen occupying the central space in the sanctum sanctorum in temples, He is on a siding to the right leaving the left for Mother Ambica. Though the sanctum has only a Shiva Linga, it is the belief that Mother too is in – formless. Tiru Nedungalam in Tamil means a vast place in plains. Mother Parvathi performed penance here. Lord, in appreciation of Her worship came in disguise and took Her hands. Mother Parvathi graces in the temple formless in the sanctum sanctorum, hence there are two towers above. This is the only temple in this form next to Kasi-Varanasi in India. It is noteworthy that procession deity Lord Somaskanda does not have His right thumb. It is said that an angry king cut it when he deposed as a witness in disguise to protect a devotee, according to puranas. The antiquity of the temple dates back to 1500 years. Four Saivite Saints and Saint Arunagirinathar had sung the glory of the Lord of the temples in their hymns. It is noteworthy that Surya Puja is devotionally performed in the temple from Aadi 7 to 12 – July-August.

Beliefs

Devotees pray for wedding and child boon and for excellence in education. Devotees perform special abishek to Lord and Mother offering Vastras-clothing.

Special Features

The temple is facing west with its two prakaras. The tank is before the temple. There is no tower at the front entrance. It is at the second entrance with aesthetic sculptures. Shrines of Lord Somaskanda and Chandrasekhara are in the southeast of inner corridor. Saptha Kannikas, Lord Dakshinamurthi and Aiyanar shrines are in the southern prakara with a shrine for Lord Valampuri Vinayaka in the Kanni Mooa corner. Shrine of Lord Muruga with His consorts Valli and Deivanai is in the west prakara. The Shrine of Lord Varadaraja Perumal with His Upa Nachiars is on the southern side and that of Sage Agasthya is in the north. The Agasthya Theertham is ever perennial. Shrine for Mother Ambica is in the northeast corner of the outer prakara with a Wedding Hall – Tiru Kalyana Mandapam.

Festivals

Monthly Pradoshas (thirteenth day of new moon or full moon days) are devotionally observed in the temple. Special pujas are dedicated to four Saivite Saints, Ganasambandar, Turunavukkarasar, Sundarar and Manicka Vasagar (praised as Naalvar-Four) on their respective birth star days. On Aadi Fridays in July-August special pujas are performed.