Nallinakka Eswarar Temple, Ezhuchur – The Temple
The main
deity here is called Sri Nallinakkeeswarar. Nallinakkeeswarar means ‘God of
harmony’. Goddess here is Sri Deivanayaki. The temple in the Ezhuchur village
is on a spacious land measuring about 2 acres amid an environment of pleasant
greenery. Nardana Ganapathy, Dakshinamurthi Mahavishnu and Brahmma and
Mother Vishnu Durga adore the Goshta. The prakara is all divine with shrines
of Lords Vinayaka, Kala Bhairava, Muruga with his consorts Valli and Deivanai,
Chandikeswara and Sun.
Sanctum:
The main
deity Sri Nallinakkeeswarar is in the form of a grand Shiva Lingam, facing
east. Sri Ganapathy is seen at the entrance of the sanctum. The 2.5 feet tall
presiding deity in his Shivalinga form appears majestically mounted on a broad
Avudaiyar-peeta.
Mother Shrine:
A shrine
for Ambaal, Sri Deivanayaki is at the left side of the sanctum, facing south.
Opposite Ambaal shrine, a shrine for Shanmugar is being constructed. Mother
Deiva Nayaki graces the devotees from a separate shrine right of the Maha
Mandapam facing south in her standing posture. The idol of Mother is so
realistic in every aspect, the toes, nails, the folding in the sari, her face
full of compassion to all etc. She is the destination for those facing delays
in their marriage proposals.
They
place the yellow thread at her feet, light three ghee lamps and perform
archanas. After this prayer, they tie the yellow thread in the female palm
tree – one of the sacred trees of the temple. The wedding of the devotee
will take place within 90 days, it is believed. Those seeking child boons
should light one ghee lamp in the other sacred tree Erenjil and 21 ghee lamps
in Mother’s shrine and perform archanas.
Murugan Shrine:
Lord
Muruga in the temple (the whole idol is made of a single stone) with his
consorts Valli and Deivanai with the covering frame (Thiruvasi) around him
blesses the devotees sitting on his divine peacock vahanam with one leg folded
and one touching the ground. He is assuring his devotees with boons and safety
by two hands holding various weapons in other 10 hands.
Navagrahams:
Navagrahams
are present with their respective Vahanams; a few of them are in damaged condition.
Vazhithunai Vinayagar:
As you
enter the compound there is a Vinayaka temple on the right called
Vazhithunai Vinayakar.
Rajo Guna Nandhi:
In front
of Vazhithunai Vinayagar shrine is the unique Rajo Guna Nandhi. The most
important of all here is the fantastic Nandhi. The Nandhi here is said to be
very unique and not found anywhere else. This Nandhi is called as ‘Rajo Guna’
Nandhi. This peculiar Nandhi has beautiful ornaments and clothing, all carved
on it. One of the forelegs is folded backwards and other one is in stretched
position. Of the hind legs, one is folded while another leg goes beneath its
stomach and this leg is seen jutting out on the other side. Similarly the tail
goes underneath the belly and stretches out on its left side.
Nandhi
is wearing elaborate ornaments around its neck. It wears garlands made of Rudraksha,
an Iron chain, Salangai and a garland made of bells. Nandhi also adorns a
beautiful Nethi Chutti (an ornament meant for forehead) on its forehead. It has
a beautifully carved Vasthram (shawl) covering it and an ‘Ottiyaanam’ (hip
ornament) too. Yaazhi is beautifully sculpted just above the legs.
It is
sculpted with minutest of details as even the row of teeth of the Nandhi is so
accurate. Nandhi is seen curling its tongue out reaching to its nostril on the
right side. It is said that such posture is called ‘Pranayama Kolam’ (doing
breathing exercise). Also the ears of the Nandhi are sculpted sharply in an
unusually erect shape. It is said that the Nandikeswarar here is in the posture
of doing Pranayama and listening to the Gayathri Manthra.
It is
said that Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Swamigal of Kanchi mutt had visited this
temple, got so fascinated by this beautiful Nandhi and also was reported to
have said that he had not seen such a beautifully sculpted Nandhi anywhere
else. Thus, the Nandhi here gains much of admiration and stands as a
masterpiece to the architectural excellence of our ancestors. One will need at
least 5 to 10 minutes to go around and admire this Nandhi in detail.
Sthala Vrikshams:
There
are 3 Sthala Vrikshams for this temple. ‘Pen Panai Maram’ (female Palm tree) is
found behind the sanctum at the western side. ‘Vilvam’ is found at the southern
side of the temple. ‘Eru Azhinjal tree’ (ஏறு அழிஞ்சல்), also called Angola
tree, which is considered most sacred and medicinal is another Sthala Viruksham
here and is on the south east side of the sanctum. The palm tree behind the Adhishtanam
of Shri Vyaasaachala Mahadevendra Saraswathy will not grow taller than the
temple as seen in the last 3 generations as per Shri. Ramamurthy, a Trustee.
Theerthams:
The
Theertham for this temple is called ‘Kamala Theertham’ (தாமரைக்குளம்), which
spreads on a vast area and looks so beautiful. This water from this pond is
said to have medicinal properties. There are a few steps to go down to the
Theertham here. Hollow carvings are found on both sides of the stone steps, to
pour oil and light the lamps during festivals. There is a Carving of a Sarpam
on the steps of the Pond, to which Abhishekam is performed get relieved from
Dhosham. It is believed that Theertham was built by Lord Surya when he
came to worship Shiva here.
Adishtanam of Vysachala Maha Devendra Saraswathi
Swamigal:
The
Adishtanam of the 54th pontiff of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam His Holiness
Sri Vysachala Maha Devendra Saraswathi Swamigal is located in this temple. It
is located at the south west of the sanctum. The idol of Sri
Chandramouleeswarar (Lingam) is also found in the temple which was originally
found placed on the Adhishtaanam. Now some bricks and lamps are kept there for
identification.
Vishnu Shrine:
Lord
Mahavishnu with Mothers is behind the temple with Sri Anjaneya and Sri Garuda
Bhagwan.
Vallalar Shrine:
There is
also a separate Sannidhi for Vallalar seen on the southern side.
