Agneeswarar Temple, Nalladai, Tharangampadi,
Nagapattinam
Agneeswarar
Temple is dedicated to Hindu God Shiva located in Nalladai Village in
Tharangampadi Taluk of Nagapattinam District of Tamilnadu. The temple sprawls
across an area of two acres. There are three entrances with majestic Gopurams
(Towers). It is believed to be built in 1147. The sanctum sanctorum has Lord
Siva surrounded by water in order to cool down the heat from the idol.
It is
unusual to see the lord facing west. Presiding Deity is called as Agneeswarar
or Baraninathar and Mother is called as Suntharanayagi. This temple is famous
for dislodging obstacles in wedding, child boon and planetary effects. This is
one among 27 Nakshatra temples. This is the special temple for people born in “Barani”
Star.
Legends
Sage Mruganda Maharshi’s Yagna on Lord Shiva:
Sage
Mruganda Maharshi organized a great Yagna for the Lord of Nalladai. He also
announced that the materials required for the Yagna may be contributed by the
public. They wove three silk clothes with gold and offered one to the
Lord, one to the Rishi and the third to their king. At the end of the
yagna, the rishi put two clothes given to him and the Lord in the Yaga
Gunda-the fire pit. The public raised the question “would the clothes placed
in the Yaga Gunda reach the Lord.” The sage asked them to go and see
it for themselves in the sanctum sanctorum. It was a pleasant surprise for
the devotees to see their product covering the Lord in all freshness. The sage
explained that of the various types of Agni and Bharani Rudragni was one and
that power took things they gave to the Lord. Hence, the Nalladai
temple is attributed to Bharani star.
Shiva appeared before Sivanesa Nayanar:
One day,
the Chola King of the day and Sivanesa Nayanar came here to worship the
Lord. A tiger chased Nayanar who climbed on the tree nearby. After a
while, when he came to the Kundangulam tank, the animal still followed but was
killed by the Nayanar. Lord appeared before Nayanar and blessed him.
History
The
sanctum sanctorum of the temple was built with stones during the rule of
Rajaraja Chola II covering the years 1146 – 1163. Other parts of the
temple were built by his representative Somanthozhar. The epigraphic
details of this are recorded on the eastern wall of the sanctum. It
also mentions that the place presently known as Nalladai was “Nalladai Mangala
Kulothunga Cholapuram in Kurumbur of Jayamkonda Cholanadu.” Inscriptions
indicate that the temple was administered by a committee headed by Kasiban
Koothan Mummudi Cholapattan and that land was donated by the king for
maintenance of the temple to offer nivedhanas to the Lord and lighting lamps.
The
Temple
Presiding
deity Lord Agneeswarar was known earlier as Tiruvanneeswaram Udayar, during the
Puranic Age. Lord Agneeswarar graces facing west against the
traditional direction of east. There is slope like formation around the
Shivalinga filled with water to calm down the Agni feature (heat) of the Lord.
This is a significant feature in the temple. The temple covers an area of
two acres. There are entrances on three sides of the temple with towers.
Mother
Sundaranayaki graces facing south. There are shrines for Dwara
Vinayaka, Balamuruga, Selva Vinayaka, Lord Mahavishnu, Somaskandar,
Mahalakshmi, Sani Bhagwan (Saturn), Kailasanathar, Kalyani, Bhuvaneswari, Chandikeswara,
Veerabadra, Lord Dakshinamurthy, Sun, Bhairava and Mother Durga in the corridor-prakara. As
Lord Shiva himself is heading the 9 planets-Navagrahas, there is no separate
shrine for them in the temple.
Theertham
of this Temple is Kaduvaiyaru River. Vanni & Vilwa are the Sthala Vrikshams
of this Temple. This is the place that wove clothes to Lord himself, it is
named Neithaladai – weaving fine clothes. In the days following, it shrunk
as Nalladai. It is noteworthy that famous Shiva temples of Sembanarkoil,
Keelaparasalur, Thirukadaiyur, and Thirunallaru are very near to this temple.
Temple
Opening Time
The
temple is open from 8.00 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. and from 5.00 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.
Festivals
Aipasi
Annabishekam in October-November, Karthikai Somawar-Mondays of Karthikai in
November-December, Margazhi Danur pujas and Arudra Darshan also called
Tiruvadhirai in December-January, Thai Fridays and Thai Poosam in January-February,
Maha Shivrathri in February-March, Panguni Uthiram in March-April, Panchamoorthis
processions on Karthikai Sundays in November-December, Chithirai festival in
April-May, Visaka festival in May-June and Margazhi festival in
December-January are the festivals celebrated in the temple.
Prayers
People
belonging to Bharani star pray in this temple in particular for relief from
adverse planetary effects. People also pray for happy wedding, child boon
and other benefits. Devotees perform Homas and Archanas in favour of Lord and
Mother. Bharani starrers are advised to visit this temple as often as they
could and worship Lord Agneeswarar. The proverb goes that Bharani people
would rule Dharani-world meaning that they will be very popular.
They are
advised to perform homas to the Lord who is Agni-Fire personified. The
benefits would be double if they do so on the Bharani star day in
Karthikai-November-December. As the temple is facing west, it is said that
praying in such temples would bring great benefits to the devotee as the Lord
would be furious in nature here.
Contact
Sri
Agneeswarar Temple,
Nalladai
– 609 306,
Tharangampadi
Taluk,
Nagapattinam
District
Phone: +91 4364 285 341
Mobile: +91 97159 60413 /
94866 31196
Connectivity
The
temple is located on the Mayiladuthurai – Karaikal road via Nedungadu on State
Highway 149. It is around 15 kms from Mayiladuthurai. Nearest Railway Station
is located at Mayiladuthurai and Nearest Airport is located at Trichy.
