Sri Nei Nandeeswarar Temple, Vendanpatti, Pudukottai
Sri Nei Nandeeswarar Temple located at Vendanpatti town
in Pudukkottai district is a famous temple for Nandeeswarar is worshipped with
ghee Abhishekam; and hence the name Nei Nandeeswarar. The Moolavar deity in
this temple is Chockalingeswarar; and Thayar is Goddess Meenakshi Amman. The
deities in Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple are also found here in this temple.
But Nandhi worship tops the all importance in this temple.
The nearby place Parambumalai was once ruled by Pari
Vallal, noted for his charitable traits. There is a Shiva Temple here. Buses
are available to Vendanpatti once in an hour from 4.30 a.m. till night from
Pudukottai. The distance is 40 km. Vendanpatti could be reached from
Ponnamaravathi also.
Greatness of Temple
The Nandhi in the temple is named Thambi Nandhi (younger
brother Nandhi) as he is considered the brother of the Nandhi in Thanjavur
temple. While the Thanjavur Nandhi attracts the devotees by his size,
Vendanpatti Nandi drag people with the miracle of not allowing flies and ants
near him during the Ghee Abishek performed to him on Pradosha days. The Ghee is
placed on the Nandhi in solid form, it melts and flows then. Such ghee is saved
in a well where too no ant and fly dare to reach. The glory of the Nandhi could
be understood from this wonder. Abishek is also performed with milk, green
coconut and rose water also.
Though the temple is situated in a rural area, the
reputation is vast as devotees throng the temple from various corners. Those
having cows in their houses, begin sale of their milk only after preparing the
ghee for the Nandhi. Then only they either sell or consume the milk. The
tradition is still followed in the village.
History
The deities in the Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple grace
in this temple also. It is believed that that the temple would have been
constructed by the Pandya kings. Probably, the Pandyas who visited this place
would have worshipped Sri Meenakshi-Sundareswara on a Pradosha day during their
journey and would have built the temple.
There is no definite record about the history of the
temple. The antiquity of the temple runs back to years. The Cholas also would
have participated in the building of the temple. It is said two Nandhis were
brought from Kodumbalur of which the big one was taken to Thanjavur and the
small installed here. The forms of the Nandhis also are similar.Nandhi worship
tops all importance in this temple.
Special Poojas and Festivals
Mahasivarathri (February-March), Arudra Darshan
(December-January), Aipasi Annabishekam (October-November) are the Shiva
related festivals are grandly celebrated in the temple. However, Pradosham
(13th day either from New Moon or Full Moon days each month) is the most
important celebration each month.
If Pradosham occurs on Saturdays, it gains more
important. The crowd would be double on this day. Each year on the Maattu
Pongal day (the day next to Pongal falling on January 14) a special festival is
celebrated for Nandeeswarar (bull vehicle of Lord Shiva) by people of the
place. Nandhi is bathed in Ghee this day and decorated with 21 types of
garlands followed by Deeparadhanas (worshipping with Lamps). This is a very
important festival observed in the temple.
Miracle of Nei Abhishekam
Vendanpatti Nandi drag people with the miracle of not
allowing flies and ants near him during Nei Abishekam performed to Nandhi on
Pradosha days. The Ghee is placed on the Nandhi in solid form. It melts and
trickles down. Such ghee is saved in a well where too no ant and fly dare to
reach.
Liters and liters of ghee are used to Nei Abhishekam to
Nandhi, not a single ant or fly is seen reaching out to the ghee. The glory of
Nandhi is evident in this wonder. Abishekams are also performed to Nandhi with
milk, green coconut and rose water also.
Girls of marriageable age seek wedding-boon from
Meenakshi Amman. People pray for relief from poverty. They pray to Lord
Nandeeswara for a prosperous life and for realizing their ambitions in life.
Those having cows in their houses, begin sale of their milk only after
preparing the ghee for Nandhi. Then only they either sell or consume the milk.
The tradition is still followed in the village.
Prayers
Maidens
of marriageable age seek wedding boon from the Mother. People pray for freedom
from poverty. They pray to Lord Nandeeswara for a prosperous life and for
realizing their ambitions in life. Devotees offer turmeric and kumkum to Mother
Meenakshi. They also put coin tilak on the forehead of Nandhi and offer
garlands made of currencies.
Temple Opening Time
The temple is opened from 7.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. and
4.30 p.m. to 8.00 p.m
Connectivity
Sri Nei Nandeeswarar Temple,
Vendanpatti, Pudukottai District,
Tamil Nadu
Phone: +91 95858 50663.
Connectivity
By Bus: Buses are available to Vendanpatti every hour from
4.30 a.m. till night from Pudukottai. The distance is 42 km between Vendanpatti
and Pudukottai. Vendanpatti could be reached from Ponnamaravathi also.
By
Railways: After reaching Pudukottai
buses and taxis are available to visit this temple in Vendanpatti. Nearest
railway station is Pudukottai.
By
Flight: After reaching
Pudukkottai. One can travel up to Vendanpatti city to visit the temple by
private buses or hired taxis. Pudukottai is 55 km away from Tiruchi Airport.