Neelakandeswarar Temple, Erukkattampuliyur – The
Temple
The east facing Temple has two prakarams and three
Mandapams. The temple has a three-tiered 40 feet high gateway tower and all the
shrines of the temple are enclosed in concentric rectangular granite walls. The
temple occupies an area of around 0.5 acres (0.20 ha). The Nandi Mandapam
is located between the Rajagopuram and the Temple Tank. The central shrine houses
the image of Neelakandeswarar / Suvethaaranyeswarar / Thirukumaresar in the
form of Lingam. Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthy
(self-manifested).
It is believed that Lord Suryan (Sun) worships Lord
Shiva of this temple by directing his rays on the lingam for five days from
March 16 to 20 (Tamil month Panguni 3 to 7). The central shrine is approached
through the flagstaff and Mahamandapam, both which are located axial to the gateway.
As in other Shiva temples in Tamil Nadu, the shrines
of Vinayaka, Murugan, Navagraha, Chandikeswara and Durga are located around the precinct of the main
shrine.
Mother is called as Neelamalar Kanni / Virar Mulaiyammai
/ Abeethakuja Nayagi / Neelorbalaambal. The shrine of Veramulai Amman, the
consort of Shiva facing West is in the Mahamandapam leading to the sanctum.
Goddess Parvathi’s shrine is on the left side of Lord Shiva’s shrine. Both
these shrines are in the same direction.
Shrines and idols of Lords Kodi Vinayakar, Murugan with
his consorts, Kasi Viswanathar and Visalakshi, Srinivasa Perumal, Mahalakshmi,
Anjaneyar, Nalvar, Thiru Neelakanta Yaazhpaanar and his wife Madhanga Soolamani
Ammaiyar, Sekkizhar, Dakshinamurthy, Sattainathar, Brahma, Lingothbavar,
Durgai, Chandikeswarar, Navagraham, Suriyan, Chandran, Saneeswaran, Bala
Ganapathi, Bala Murugan and Rudrasanmar can be seen in the corridors.
Theerthams associated with this temple are Skanda
Theertham, Neelorpala Theertham and Senkazhuneer Theertham. The temple tank is
located opposite to the temple and is called Nilorpala Theertham. Sthala
Vriksham is Vellai Erukku Plant. Lots of white Erukku plants can be seen in the
outer corridor of this temple.
