Tiruneelakudi Sri Neelakandeswarar Temple, Thanjavur

Address

Tiruneelakudi Sri Neelakandeswarar Temple, Tiruneelakudi, Tiruvidaimarudur Taluk, Thanjavur district- -612 108Phone: +91 435 246 0660, 94428 61634.

Diety

Neelakandeswarar, Amman: Oppilamulaiyal.

Introduction

Tiruneelakkudi Neelakandeswarar Temple is a Hindu temple located at Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu, India. The historical name of Tiruneelakkudi is Thennalakudi . The presiding deity is Shiva. He is called as Neelakandeswarar. His consort is Oppilamulaiyal. It is one of the shrines of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams – Shiva Sthalams glorified in the early medieval Tevaram poems by Tamil Saivite Nayanar Tirunavukkarasar. Praises of the temple have been sung by Sambandar in the Thevaram. The temple is also associated with the life of Thiruneelakanta Nayanar. Thala Virutcham : Vilwa – leaves having five petals, Jack tree Theertham :Devi, Markandeya and Prahmma theerthams

Puranic Significance

As per Hindu legend, when the celestial deities Devas and demons Asuras were churning the Ocean of Milk for ambrosia, poison emerged first. Shiva consumed the poison, but his wife Parvati held his throat as he was consuming it. It is believed that Shiva got the name Neelakanta from then on. Parvati anointed Shiva with oil in this place to relieve Neelankata of his pain. The practise of anointing the lingam in the temple continues in modern times where the whole oil is consumed by the image. The lingam in the front hall of the central shrine is believed to have been worshipped by Brahma, the Hindu god of creation, to relieve him of the sins committed while coalescing with celestial dancer Urvasi. Markendeya is believed to have worshipped the deity by carrying him in palanquin to attain long life. The Saptastanam festival is celebrated commemorating the event when the festival images of the seven neighbouring temples are brought to this temple. During the festival, the festive images of all the temples are carried around the streets of Tiruneelakudi. Kamadenu, the holy cow that emerged from churning the Ocean of Milk, is believed to have worshipped Neelakantar in this place to relieve itself of its curse from her master sage Vashista. Sage Durvasa, Devas and other sages have worshipped the presiding deity here.The temple is counted as one of the temples built on the banks of River Kaveri.

Beliefs

Couple separated due to various reasons prays to Lord Neelakandeswara for their re-union and a renewed family life. The also pray for longevity and perform remedial pujas to Lord for relief from the adverse aspects planet Rahu. Many pray for wedding, child, mental peace, job opportunities and success in trade efforts. Oil abishek is the most important commitment in this temple along with milk, curd, green coconut, sandal, sacred ash, flour, turmeric powder. Devotees also offer vastras to Lord and Mother. Some undertake feeding-Annadhana.

Special Features

Lord Shiva came to the temple to see the alcoholic poison that emerged when the devas and the asuras were in the limelight. It was the poison to hold his neck to stay in the neck to prevent him from going to the fire. Lord is also known as Neelakandeswarar. The image of lingam is about 2 ft (0.61 m) high and has an unusual square projections and a rough surface. The ablution performed during the Chittirai festival with gingely oil is absorbed by the image. The Saiva saint Appar is believed to have worshipped and sung praises of the deity here while he was going to Thyagarajaswamy Temple, Tiruvarur. He describes the tortures he faced from his Jain counterparts.

Festivals

18 day Chithirai Brahmmotsavam in April – May established by Sage Markandeya with procession of Lord not only around Tiruneelakudi but also around the surrounding 18 villages each day and considered very important among the devotees ending at Elandurai ( Pavundarikapuram) village; Margazhi Tiruvadhirai in December-January; Aadipooram in July-August; Karthikai in November-December are the main festivals of the temple. Also other days of importance as monthly Pradosha days, Deepavali, Pongal, Tamil and English New Year days are celebrated in the temple with special Pujas and Aaradhanas, Abishek etc.