Neelakandeswarar Temple, Erukkattampuliyur, Cuddalore
Neelakandeswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to
Lord Shiva located at Erukkattampuliyur (Thirukoodalaiyathoor Village) in Cuddalore
District of Tamilnadu. Now this village is called as Rajendra Pattinam which
has no relation to the original name. The Temple is also called as Kumaraswamy
and Virar Mulaiyammai Temple / Thirukumaresar Temple / Erukkattampuliyur Temple
/ Rajendirapattinam Temple. Presiding Deity is called as Neelakandeswarar
/ Suvethaaranyeswarar / Thirukumaresar. Mother is called as Neelamalar Kanni /
Virar Mulaiyammai / Abeethakuja Nayagi / Neelorbalaambal.
The temple complex covers around half acre and entered
through a five tiered gopuram, the main gateway. The temple has many shrines,
with those of Thirukumaresar and his consorts Verumulai Amman, being the most
prominent. All the shrines of the temple are enclosed in large concentric
rectangular granite walls. The original complex is believed to have been built
by Cholas, while the present masonry structure was built during the
Nayak during the 16th century.
In modern times, the temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu
Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu.
The presiding deity is revered in the 7th century Tamil
Saiva canonical work, the Thevaram, written by Tamil saint poets known as the Nayanmars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam. This is the 36th Devaram Padal Petra Shiva
Sthalam and 4th Sthalam in Nadu Naadu. Arunagirinathar has sung
Thirupugazh in praise of Subramanya of this Temple. Sivaprakasa has authored
the Sthala Puranam of this Temple. The temple is also the birth place of Saiva
saint Thiruneelakanta Nayanar.
The temple has four daily rituals at various times from
6:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., and four yearly festivals on its calendar.
Mahasivarathri festival celebrated during the month of
the Chittirai (March - April) is the most prominent festival of the
temple. It is one of the five Puliyur shrines worshipped by Vyagrapada, the
other four being Perumpuliyur, Omam Puliyur, Paatirippuliyur & Perum
Patrappuliyur (Chidambaram). The last consecration ceremony (Maha
Kumbabishekam) took place on 02.09.1996.
Legends
For brief details, please refer below link;
The
Temple
For brief details, please refer below link;
Temple
Opening Time
This temple remains open from 6.00AM to 11.00AM in the
morning and 4.00PM to 8.00PM in the evenings.
Festivals
The temple priests perform the puja (rituals) during festivals and on a daily basis.
The temple rituals are performed four times a day; Kalasanthi at
8:00 a.m., Uchikalam at
12:00 a.m., Sayarakshai at 6:00 p.m, and Arthajamam at
8:00 p.m. Each ritual comprises four steps: abhisheka (sacred bath), Alangaram (decoration), neivethanam (food offering) and Deepa aradanai (waving of
lamps) for Thirukumaresar and Verumulai Amman. There are weekly rituals
like Somavaram (Monday) and Sukravaram (Friday),
fortnightly rituals like Pradosham, and monthly festivals like Ammavasai (new moon day), kiruthigai, Pournami (full moon day) & Sathurthi. Mahasivarathri
during the Tamil month of Panguni (March - April) is the most
important festivals of the temple. Other festivals celebrated here include
Kartikai Deepam, Thai Poosam, Aavani Moolam, Aani Tirumanjanam, Navaratri and
Aippasi Pournami.
Literary
Mention
For brief details, please refer below link;
Prayers
Those suffering from speech impairment visit this temple
and worship the lord here in order to seek relief. It is also believed that
those seeking “santhana prapthi” (child boon) can pray to the lord here.
Contact
Neelakandeswarar Temple
Rajendirapattinam Post
Vridhachalam Taluk
Cuddalore District – 608703
Phone: +91 4143 243 533
Mobile: +91 99761 73524 /
94877 03524 / 93606 37784
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 26 Kms from Sethiyathope,
7 Kms from Srimushnam, 6 Kms from Karuvepilankurichi, 44 Kms from Chidambaram,
73 Kms from Cuddalore, 13 Kms from Vridhachalam, 16 Kms from Pennadam, 25 Kms
from Jayamkondan, 34 Kms from Gangai Konda Cholapuram, 38 Kms from Vadalur, 28
Kms from Neyveli, 92 Kms from Puducherry, 132 Kms from Trichy and 243 Kms from
Chennai.
The Temple is located on Vridhachalam to Jayamkondam
route. The temple is easily found just by the side of the highway. Also, it is
located on the way to Vridhachalam to Srimushnam route via Karuvepilankurichi. Nearest
Railway Station is located at Vridhachalam and Nearest Airport is located at
Trichy and Pondicherry.
References