Jambukeswarar Temple, Nallicheri, Thanjavur
Jambukeswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Nallicheri
in Papanasam Taluk in Thanjavur District of Tamilnadu. The place is also called
as Nandi Mangai. Presiding Deity is called as Jambukeswarar / Jambunathar and
Mother is called as Akilandeswari. This temple is one of the 7 shrines associated
with the Saptha Matrikas (Madhas / Mangais) around Ayyampettai / Pasupathi Koil
area in the Thanjavur – Papanasam (Kumbakonam) route. This Temple is associated
with Mother Vaishnavi.
Legends
For brief details, please refer below link;
The
Temple
The Temple is facing west but the temple can be entered
through southern entrance only. This is the only Temple faces west in all of
the Saptha Mangai Sthalams. Presiding Deity is called as Jambukeswarar /
Jambunathar. Generally, in Shiva temples, the shrine faces East; here the Lord
faces West. This is also believed to be a Kshetram offering Mukthi, like
Kashi. Hence the temple faces the cremation ground.
On the Sankata Hara Chaturthi day (fourth day in the
waning period of the moon) in the Tamil month of Panguni, Surya’s rays fall on
the Lord. Mother is called as Akilandeswari. Ambal is facing South as is
the usual practice in most of the Shiva Temples. She is in standing
posture. Vishnu Durga shrine in this temple is very popular. Irattai
Vinayagars can be found at the entrance of the Temple.
There are beautiful paintings on the walls and ceilings of
the Vowvaal (owl) mandapam. The Sthala Vriksham is Naval tree (Jambu) and this
could be another reason for the name of the Lord Jambukeswarar. Theertham is
Devakatha Theertham. In addition to this Theertham, there is also
one more well near the Lord’s shrine.
Temple
Opening Time
The Temple remains open from 07.00 AM to 12.00 Noon and
04.00 PM to 07.00 PM.
Festivals
Mahasivarathri in February-March, Aipasi Annabishekam in
October-November and Margazhi Tiruvadhirai in December-January are the
festivals celebrated in the temple. This Temple is one of the seven places
forming seven Holy Kshetras in and around Pasupathi Koil where the annual
Saptha Sthanam festival is held in the month of Panguni. The Deities from the
main temple Chakkarapalli are taken in a procession in very huge
“kannadippallakkoo” weighing more than 2000 Kgs by bearers on bare foot over
more than 40 Kms in two days nonstop except for few hours halt at Kudamurutti
river sands for the fireworks show at 4 am.
Religious
Significance
For brief details, please refer below link;
Connectivity
The temple is located at about 2 Kms from Mathur
Bus Stop, 3 Kms from Pasupathikoil Railway Station, 3 Kms from Pasupathikoil
Bus Stop, 6 Kms from Ayyampet Railway Station, 15 Kms from Papanasam, 13 Kms
from Thanjavur, 12 Kms from Thiruvaiyaru, 16 Kms from Thingalur, 14 Kms from Thirupazhanam,
29 Kms from Kumbakonam and 75 Kms from Trichy Airport. The Temple is situated
on Thanjavur – Kumbakonam Road. The temple is located at
Nallicheri on the road which branches left from the Ayyampettai –
Thanjavur road past the Pasupathi Temple. It is near both Soolamangalam and
Ayyampettai.
