Annamalai Nathar Temple, Mannargudi, Thiruvarur

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.