Madhuvaneswarar Temple, Nannilam, Thiruvarur
Madhuvaneswarar Temple is a Hindu
temple situated in the town
of Nannilam in the Thiruvarur district of Tamilnadu. The presiding deity is Shiva. The temple is believed to have been built by the Early
Chola King Kochenganan. This is the 188th Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva
Sthalam and 71st Sthalam on the south side of river Cauvery in Chozha
Naadu. Sundarar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple. This
Temple is known as Nannilam Perungkoil and is situated on the banks of
River Mudikondan.
Presiding Deity is called as Madhuvaneswarar and Mother
is called as Madhuvaneswari. Sthala Vriksham is Vilwa and Theerthams of this
temple are Brahmma Theertham and Soola Theertham. This is one of the Mada
Temples built by Chola king Kochenganan, who has built 78 other temples of this
nature. This temple is also known as Madhuvanam, and Shiva is also known as
Prakaasa Nayakar.
Legends
For brief details, please refer below link;
The
Temple
This is one of the Maadakovils built by Chola king Ko
Chenkat Cholan so that elephants cannot enter the sanctum. It is built on a
land covering an area of 270 feet in length and 135 feet in width. The
Temple has two prakarams. The 30 feet tall 2 tier Rajagopuram is facing
east with five Kalasams. Lord Shiva in sanctum sanctorum is facing east and
Mother the south. Lord Shiva in the temple is a swayambulingamurthy
and in square Peetam. The shrine for Lord Shiva is situated at an elevation.
The shrine for female deity and Agastheeshwarar is located at the lower level.
Presiding Deity is called as Madhuvaneswarar / Prakaasa
Nayakar and Mother is called as Madhuvaneswari / Madhu Vana Nayaki / Periya
Nayaki / Prakaasa Nayaki. Sthala Vriksham is Vilwa and Theerthams of this
temple are Brahmma Theertham, Chakra Theertham and Soola Theertham. In a small
hill within the temple are shrines for Lords Nardana Ganapathy, Durga, Somaskanda,
Dakshinamurthy, Annamalaiyar and Brahmma.
In the prakara down the hill are Lords Siddhi Vinayaka,
Subramanya, Chandikeswara, Agastheeshwarar, Brahmapureeswarar, Bhairava and
Saturn (Sani Baghwan), Sun God and Navagrahas the nine planets and Mother
Mahalakshmi. Vinayagar, Dhakshinamoorthy, Brahma, Lingothpavar and Durgai
are found in the Koshtam in the ground level and only Dhakshinamoorthy is found
in the Koshtam in the Upper level. Lord Nataraja graces in the form of picture from
a separate shrine (Sabha) near the sanctum.
There are many specialties in the temple such as Bairavar
is present by the side of Surya God; All the Navagrahas are facing the
direction of Sun God; Surya and Guru are facing each other; Saturn is present
in a separate shrine; Chithra Guptha is present in a separate shrine. There are
lingams worshipped by Yama in South; Varuna in West; Indra in East and Guberan
in North. There are lingams of Mahadevar worshipped by Brahmma and Agastheeshwarar
by Agasthiar inside the temple.
Chandikeswarar can be seen with his wives in this
Temple. The bronze image of Bhoga Sakthi is always housed in Shiva's sanctum. Shrines
of Somaskandar, Dakshinamurthy and Nardana Ganapathi can be reached by climbing
a flight of steps. The Soola Theertham (created with the trident of Shiva) is
located to the north of the temple.
Temple
Opening Time
The temple is open from 7.00 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. and from
4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Festivals
Four worship services are offered each day. Vaikasi
Visakam in May June, Tirukarthikai in November-December and Margazhi
Tiruvadhirai, Thai Poosam, Valli Tirumanam in Karthikai, Aani Tirumanjanam,
Aadi Pooram, Aavani Moolam and Skanda Sashti festivals are celebrated with much
fanfare in this temple. Other festivals are Guru Puja for Saint Sundarar in
Aadi Swati star day in July-August; monthly Pradoshams and Shivarathri and all
Shiva related auspicious days.
Singers
The temple is praised by Saint Sundarar in his Thevaram
hymns. This is referred to as Perum Kovil by Sundaramoorthy Nayanar –
hence Brihadeeswarar. This is the 188th Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva
Sthalam and 71st Sthalam on the south side of river Cauvery in Chozha
Nadu. Sundarar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.
Prayers
It is believed that those bathing in the sacred spring
in Masi Month-February-March and worship the Lord will gain all benefits in
life and those worshipping on Ekadasi days-11th day of full moon or new
moon days and pradosha days-13th day in both fortnights will reach
Moksha-salvation. Devotees perform abishek to Lord and offer vastras.
Contact
Sri Madhuvaneswarar Temple,
Nannilam – 610 105,
Thiruvarur District
Mobile: +91 – 94426 82346
/ 99432 09771
Connectivity
This Temple is located at about 16 Kms from Thiruvarur,
32 Kms from Mayiladuthurai, 30 Kms from Kumbakonam, 66 Kms from Thanjavur, 32
Kms from Karaikkal and 125 Kms from Trichy. Nannilam is located on Tiruvarur –
Mayiladuthurai route. The temple is located in the heart of the Nannilam town. Nannilam
can be reached easily from Thiruvarur, Mayiladuthurai, Kumbakonam and
Karaikkal. Nearest Railway Station is located at Nannilam and is 5 Kms away
from the Temple. Nearest Airport is located at Trichy. Pasupatheeswarar Temple,
Thirukondeecharam is another Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam is around 2 kms from
this temple.