Irugur (Ondiputhur) Neelakandeswarar Temple, Coimbatore

Address

Irugur, Ondiputhur,

Coimbatore district, Tamil Nadu

Phone +91-422-2632452, 94881 55164

Moolavar

Neelakandeswarar

Amman

Swayamvara Parvathi Devi, Meenakshi Amman

Introduction

Irugur (Ondiputhur) Neelakandeswarar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, located in the Irugur (Ondiputhur) Coimbatore district, Tamil Nadu. Here the Presiding deity is called as Neelakandeswarar and Mother is called as Swayamvara Parvathi Devi, Meenakshi amman.

Puranic Significance

According to history, Karikal Chozha renovated 360 big Shiva temples and 36 small temples in the Kongu region for relief from the Brahmmahati dosha he incurred. Irugur Soundareswarar temple is believed to be the 28th in the list.

Lords Neelakandeswarar, Gnana Dandapani and Mother Swayamvara Parvathi are facing west. Lords Soundareswarar and Muruga with His consorts Valli and Deivanai and Mother Meenakshi are facing east. The temple was renovated by the three Tamil kings Chera, Chola and Pandyas. According to history, this place was divided as Ponnur and Mannur during the Sangam age and became Irugur later after the name of Irula chieftain Iruvan. It was Iruvur earlier and changed as Irugur later. Lord Neelakandeswarar was found 3000 years ago as a swayambulinga. There is a small pit like symptom (Kuzhi) on the head, a small scratch on the right forehead and a tuft at the back of the head. Mother Swayamvara Parvathi is at the left of the Lord while Lord Gnana Dandapani is on the right. Lord Brahmma appears in a sitting form. Lord Soundareswarar as a honey coloured Linga blesses the devotees. Mother Meenakshi Amman with four hands blesses in a standing form. Markandeswar Linga is in this temple only and nowhere in this Kongu region temples. The nectar pot – Amirtha Kalasa – is on the peeta. The 4 Nandhis in the temple are in different forms.

Beliefs

People pray to Mother Durga in the temple for relief from the adverse aspects of the serpent planets Rahu and Ketu and for removal of obstacles in wedding proposals. Women concerned about the health problems of their husbands threatening their Mangalya longevity pray in the shrine. Those facing delays in wedding pray to Mother Swayamvara Parvathi. For longevity of those aged 60 perform Ayush Homa for still longer life.

Special Features

Lord Muruga is facing west. The rays of Sun fall on Lord Neelakandeswara during the evenings in the months of Chithirai (April-May), Purattasi (September-October) and Aipasi (October-November). Lord shines these days. The copper plates of the period of Uthama Cholan and those in Markandeya Pandithar Mutt speak volume of the reputation of Irugur.

Festivals

Aipasi Soora Samhara festival is an important event in the temple. Thai Poosam in January-February; Maha Shivrathri in February-March; Panguni Uthiram in April-May, Karthigai Jyoti in November-December and Arudra Darshan in December-January are the festivals celebrated in the temple.