Nannilam Sri Madhuvaneswarar Temple, Thiruvarur

Address

Nannilam Sri Madhuvaneswarar Temple, Nannilam Circle Thiruvarur District PIN – 610105 PH:9442682346

Diety

Madhuvaneshwarar, Devarayaneswarar, Prakasana Amman: Madavasuvari, Devakandara

Introduction

Madhuvaneswarar Temple is a Hindu temple situated in the town of Nannilam in the Thiruvarur district of Tamilnadu. The presiding deity is Shiva. The temple is believed to have been built by the Early Chola King Kochenganan. This is the 188th Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 71st Sthalam on the south side of river Cauvery in Chozha Naadu. Sundarar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple. This Temple is known as Nannilam Perungkoil and is situated on the banks of River Mudikondan.Presiding Deity is called as Madhuvaneswarar and Mother is called as Madhuvaneswari. Sthala Vriksham is Vilwa and Theerthams of this temple are Brahmma Theertham and Soola Theertham. This is one of the Mada Temples built by Chola king Kochenganan, who has built 78 other temples of this nature. This temple is also known as Madhuvanam, and Shiva is also known as Prakaasa Nayakar. Theertham (Holy water) :Brahma Theertham, Sula Theertham, Deva Theertham Sthala Vriksham (Sacred Tree): Vilvam

Puranic Significance

The historical names of this place are Sundaravani, Madhuvanam, Devaranyam, Sundaravanam and Bruhathpuram. This place is surrounded by fertile agricultural land; hence it gets the name Nannilam (“Nalla” means good and “nilam” means land in Tamil). This ancient temple is located on the southern bank of the river Mudikondan. This place is referred as Nannilam and the temple is known as “Perungkoil” (big temple). As per stone inscriptions in this temple, the temple was built in the 9th century by Chola King Kochenganan. This temple is under the administrative control of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of Government of Tamil Nadu (HR&CE). It is believed that Lord Suryan worshiped the lord in this temple. According to legend, once the Devas were tortured by the demon, Viruthirasuran, in the celestial world. Devas took asylum here and worshiped Lord Shiva. It is believed that Lord Shiva turned the Devas into bees in order to save them from the demon. The lord made a beehive in the form of a lingam in the Sanctum Sanctorum and asked the Devas to stay in it. Hence in this place, the lord and the goddess are called as “Madhuvanam”, “Sri Madhuvaneswarar” and “Sri Madhuvana Nayaki” respectively (“madhu” means honey in Tamil). To substantiate this legend, there are still few beehives in this temple, but it is stated that the bees do not harm anyone. Another legend is that Somapuri King Bruhathrajan had performed penanced here in Krutha Yuga. Pleased with his penance, Lord Shiva blessed him with his darshan in the form of “Tejo Lingam”. The king requested the lord to make a pond using his trident and fill it with water from the holy Ganges. This theertham is known as Bruhath Gangai and Sula Theertham. Another legend is that the Devas came to this place in the form of women, took asylum and worshiped Lord Shiva. They took asylum in order to protect themselves from the demon Salantharasuran. They offered the water from the Sula theertham to Lord Shiva and prayed for his help. Pleased with their prayers, Lord Shiva vanquished the demon in Virkudi, a nearby place, which is also a Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam, and saved the Devas. Hence this place also gets the name Devaranyam and the theertham is also known as Deva theertham. It is believed that Lord Indra visited this place and took a dip in the Sula Theertham and worshiped the lord. He was relieved from his “Brahmahathi dosha” which he had accrued due to the killing of demon Viruthirasuran. It is believed that lords Brahma, Indra, Suryan, Sage Agasthiyar, Devas (in the form of bees) and Saint Sundarar have worshiped the lord here. As per Sthala Puranam, four Shivalingams were installed and worshiped at the four corners of this place. These lingams were installed by – lord Yama in South, lord Varuna in West, lord Indra in East and lord Kubera in North.

Beliefs

It is believed that worshiping the lord here will cure one from all kinds of nervous ailments. It is also believed that one can get salvation by worshiping the lord here during “Ekadasi” (11th day of full moon or new moon days) and “Pradosham” (13th day of full moon or new moon days).

Special Features

This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 71st Shiva Sthalam on the Southern bank of the river Cauveri in Chozha Nadu (Thenkarai). Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested). This temple is counted as one of the Maadak Koils built by Chola King Kochenganan. This east facing temple’s main tower is not tiered. In place of the Gopuram, there is a beautiful sculpture depicting Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy. The last consecration ceremony (Maha Kumbabishekam) took place on 14.09.2008 and prior to that on 15.09.1996. Other than the shrines of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy, shrines and idols of Sidhi vinayakar, Vinayakar, Nagar, Murugan with his consorts, Mahalakshmi, Bairavar, Suryan, Saneeswarar, Chithra Guptha, Navagraham and Chandikeswarar can be seen in the corridors. In the “koshtam” (place surrounding the sanctum sanctorum), idols of Narthana Vinayakar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma and Durgai can be seen. Shivalingams worshiped by Lord Brahma (Sri Mahadeva lingam) and Sage Agasthiyar (Sri Agastheeswarar lingam) are in the corridor. The Shivalingams worshiped by lords Yama, Varuna, Indran and Guberan are also present in the corridors.

Festivals

Vaikasi Visakam in May June, Tirukarthikai in November-December and Margazhi Tiruvadhirai festivals are celebrated with procession of Lord. Other festivals are Guru Puja for Saint Sundarar in Aadi Swati star day in July-August; monthly pradoshams and Shivrathri and all Shiva related auspicious days.