Monday, December 26, 2016

Nallinakka Eswarar Temple, Ezhuchur – The Temple

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.