This Shiva temple praised by Thirugnanasambar, Appar and Sundarar is located about 3 kms towards west from the famous Vaitheeswaran Temple on the Kumbakonam-Thirupananthal road.
This temple is famous for Nandanar story. Nandanar was born in a lower case, he was denied entry to the temple due to a cruel practice adopted in those days. He had no choice other than worshipping the Lord from the temple entrance but the Nandi in front of the Lord was a big one which obstructed his view. Nandanar was upset but his devotion and love for Siva was so pure and intense, the Lord himself Graced to moved the huge Nandi and the flag post to one side so that he will have a direct line of vision towards the Siva lingam in the main sanctum. People then realized his greatness and duly conferred as one among the 63 Nayanmars. He is called as Thiru Naalai Povar Nayanar, there is a separate shrine for him inside the temple.
One among the Paadal petra shiva sthalams - 20th among the templates located on the northern banks of river Cauvery
Lord's Name - Sivalokanathar
Ambal's Name (Consort) - Soundara Nayagi, Sokka Nayagi
The tank in the temple is said to have been created by Lord Ganesha overnight to help Nandanar. Siva lingam in the main sactum is a Swayambu Lingam(self manifested). Hence always enclosed in metal casing, on Mondays the casing will be removed for Swayambu darshan of the Lord. As per the legend, Brahma, Indira, Patanjali and Vyagarapadha have also worshipped here.
Tamil version of this blog is available in the following link
This temple is famous for Nandanar story. Nandanar was born in a lower case, he was denied entry to the temple due to a cruel practice adopted in those days. He had no choice other than worshipping the Lord from the temple entrance but the Nandi in front of the Lord was a big one which obstructed his view. Nandanar was upset but his devotion and love for Siva was so pure and intense, the Lord himself Graced to moved the huge Nandi and the flag post to one side so that he will have a direct line of vision towards the Siva lingam in the main sanctum. People then realized his greatness and duly conferred as one among the 63 Nayanmars. He is called as Thiru Naalai Povar Nayanar, there is a separate shrine for him inside the temple.
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| On the entrance we could see that the Nandi and Flag Post are offset towards right instead of being at Centre |
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| Nandanar Shrine within the temple |
One among the Paadal petra shiva sthalams - 20th among the templates located on the northern banks of river Cauvery
Lord's Name - Sivalokanathar
Ambal's Name (Consort) - Soundara Nayagi, Sokka Nayagi
The tank in the temple is said to have been created by Lord Ganesha overnight to help Nandanar. Siva lingam in the main sactum is a Swayambu Lingam(self manifested). Hence always enclosed in metal casing, on Mondays the casing will be removed for Swayambu darshan of the Lord. As per the legend, Brahma, Indira, Patanjali and Vyagarapadha have also worshipped here.
Tamil version of this blog is available in the following link
Even in his subtle form, Swami continues to touch the hearts of the indigent people through the initiatives undertaken by His ardent devotees.
ReplyDeletemadhusudan naidu