Annamalai Nathar Temple, Mannargudi, Thiruvarur
Annamalai Nathar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to
Lord Shiva located at Mannargudi Town in Thiruvarur District of Tamilnadu. Presiding
Deity is called as Annamalai Nathar and Mother is called as Abitha Kujalambal. Generally,
there are two Mannargudi in Tamilnadu; One is Thiruvarur Raja Mannargudi and
other is Cuddalore district Kaatu Mannargudi. These places were called as
Mannarkoil during Chola period. During Nayagar Period, it got changed to
Mannargudi (Gudi in Telugu means temple in English).
Raja Mannargudi is called as Rajadhiraja Chadurvedi
Mangalam during Chola times. Inscriptions belong to Kulothunga Chola in
Mannargudi Rajagopala Swamy Temple mentions the place as Suthavalli valanaatu
pradeyam thaniyur Rajadhiraja Chadurvedi Mangalam. This Temple is located to
west of Rajagopalaswamy Temple in E.B Nagar (North of Vasantham Nagar) on
Thanjavur Road. It was believed that ancient Chola Palace was located near to
this place. Same can be attested by the name of this place called Maaligai
Medu.
There are seven Shiva Temples now in Mannargudi but it
was believed that there were eleven Shiva Temples. It was believed three Shiva
temples were built during Chola Period. Out of these three temples, this temple
is built by Rajadhiraja Chola. This Temple has been called as Rajendra Chozha Annamalai
Udaiyar Thirukovil in ancient times as per the inscriptions. The Temple is
having Arthamandapam, Mahamandapam and Sanctum belonging to Chola period. The
Temple is having three tiered Rajagopuram.
Nandhi Mandapam and Bali Peedam is located in front of
the Mahamandapam. Vinayagar Shrine is located to left side of the prakaram.
Murugan Shrines of Muruga, Jyeshta Devi, Navagrahas, Nagas, Bhairavar,
Saneeswarar can be found in the prakaram. Mannargudi is located at about 14 Kms
from Needamangalam, 29 Kms from Thiruvarur, 52 Kms from Nagapattinam, 38 Kms
from Kumbakonam, 40 Kms from Thanjavur and 93 Kms from Trichy. Nearest Railway
Station is located at Mannargudi and Nearest Airport is located at Trichy.
