Nedungalanathar Temple, Thirunedunkulam – The Temple
The
temple is facing west with its two prakaras. This temple is spread over 2
acres and is a Chola period temple. The tank is before the temple. There
is no tower at the front entrance. It is at the second entrance with
aesthetic sculptures. The area between main entrance and entrance to
the inner prakaram has the flag post, Nandi mandapa and a wide bali peetha.
Presiding Deity is called as Nedungalanathar / Nithya Sundareshwarar. Lord
Shiva in the temple is a Swayambumurthy. The rays of Sun fall on the presiding
deity from Aadi 7th to 12th –July-August.
Mother
Parvathi graces in the temple formless in the sanctum sanctorum, hence there
are two towers above. This is the only temple in this form next to
Kasi-Varanasi in India. The wall surrounding the main shrine has an
interesting koshta idol of Yoga Dakshina Murti - a rare form of Dakshina Murti
found in Padmasana. The other koshta idols are Ardha Nareeshwarar and Durga.
Chandikeswarar is found near Durga.
Mother
is called as Oppila Nayaki / Mangalambikai. Shrine for Mother Ambica is in the
northeast corner of the outer prakara with a Wedding Hall – Tiru Kalyana
Mandapam. The Goddess Oppila Nayaki is very beautiful as per her name. She is
found with four arms and in the standing posture in a separate shrine with a
pillared mandapa on the front side. The shrine is found on the left side of
Nandi mandapa.
Shrines
of Lord Somaskanda and Chandrasekhara are in the southeast of inner
corridor. Saptha Kannikas, Lord Dakshinamurthy and Aiyanar shrines
are in the southern prakara with a shrine for Lord Valampuri Vinayaka in the
Kanni Moola corner. Shrine of Lord Muruga with his consorts Valli and Deivanai
is in the west prakara. The Shrine of Lord Varadaraja Perumal with his Upa
Naachiyars is on the southern side and that of Sage Agasthya is in the north. Shrines
for Bhairava and Nataraja-Sivakami can also found in the inner prakaram.
It is noteworthy that procession deity Lord Somaskanda
does not have his right thumb. It is said that an angry king cut it when
he deposed as a witness in disguise to protect a devotee, according to
puranas. Theerthams associated with
this temple are Agasthya and Sundara Theerthams. The Agasthya Theertham is ever
perennial. Sthala Vriksham is Vilvam.
